PODCAST · music
Illinois Drifter Podcast
by Justin Conn
Illinois Drifter is my way of celebrating music — live shows, new records, old records, books, documentaries ... everything that makes you feel something. illinoisdrifter.substack.com
Episodes
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: A Black Crowes weekend to remember
When the word “meet-up” started getting thrown around for the Indianapolis stop of the Black Crowes’ Southern Hospitality tour, I was excited — that’s Illinois Drifter territory! But then the excitement just kept growing as more people got involved. Illinois Drifter All-Stars Shawn Hillman and…
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Margo Price, Bob Dylan and Black Crowes memories with Angela Winters
One of the Midwest’s most experienced concertgoers, Angela Winters, joined me to talk about Margo Price, Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, the Gregg Allman documentary and, of course, the Black Crowes. The conversation begins with Margo Price’s outstanding performance at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn — it’s…
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Comparing two Marcus King shows a few cities apart
Illinois Drifter East Coast correspondent Jim Hennessy returns to compare notes after we both attended Marcus King shows on the same tour — Jim in Washington, D.C., and me near St. Louis. We discussed how King’s live show has evolved, the band’s current lineup, the heavy emphasis on Darling Blue...
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: State of Amorica's Shawn Hillman on the Southern Hospitality Tour
No. 1 concert buddy Shawn Hillman joined me to recap a road trip to Cincinnati for The Black Crowes’ Southern Hospitality Tour, featuring Whiskey Myers and Southall at Riverbend Music Center. The conversation covers the venue, the crowd, first impressions of Whiskey Myers, and what may have been...
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Getting to know Eric Saylors from The Steepwater Band
Steepwater Band guitarist Eric Saylors joined the Illinois Drifter Podcast for a conversation about his musical roots, years on the road and finding a long-term home in one of the Midwest’s great blues-rock bands. From growing up in small-town Indiana around bluegrass and country music to touring...
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: James McMurtry and a night at the Castle
I was back at the Castle Theatre in Bloomington to see James McMurtry and the Martial Law Review on Friday, April 24. I knew McMurtry’s music going in, but I didn’t really know what to expect live. In this solo episode of the podcast, I break down the night — from the venue, to the crowd, to the...
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Larkin Poe, Gov't Mule and a solo night at The Factory
I was trying to think of the name of the first song I ever heard by Gov’t Mule, then they opened the show with it — complete with someone in an Uncle Sam outfit holding signs. It was the kind of moment that makes going to see live music special, and why I don’t mind going to shows alone. It had...
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Edward David Anderson on Backyard Tire Fire, family and a lifetime in music
Singer-songwriter Edward David Anderson joins the Illinois Drifter Podcast ahead of a show at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn with Backyard Tire Fire and Steepwater Band. From his early days in Illinois to touring the country and eventually scaling back to focus on family and creative fulfillment…
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Tim Cain on the Brooklyn Charmers and his famous Beatles list
Music writer and author Tim Cain joins the Illinois Drifter Podcast to talk about a recent Steely Dan tribute show at Danenberger Family Vineyards — the Brooklyn Charmers — and dive deep into Tim's books and his famous Beatles song rankings list, which will be the subject of his next book. Justin...
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Boone Froggett talks everything Otis
Boone Froggett of the band Otis joins the Illinois Drifter Podcast to talk about building a blues-rock band from the ground up — from small venues in Kentucky to touring across the U.S. and Europe. After first connecting at the Backroom Listening Lounge in Riverton, Illinois, Justin and Boone…
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Blues rocker Eric Johanson
Blues-rock guitarist Eric Johanson joins the Illinois Drifter Podcast after a standout performance at Danenberger Family Vineyards in New Berlin, Illinois — a unique venue tucked into Central Illinois farm country that delivers a surprisingly intimate live music experience. In this conversation,...
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Blackberry Smoke takes over Illinois
Justin is joined by Shawn Hillman to recap an unforgettable two-night run with Blackberry Smoke across Illinois — Champaign and Rockford — complete with killer setlists, a surprise appearance from Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, and a white-knuckle drive home in a March blizzard. They break down the...
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Jim Hennessy on the Toy Factory Project at the Capitol Theatre
In this episode of the Illinois Drifter Podcast, Justin talks with Jim “Jimbo” Hennessy from Annapolis, Maryland about an extraordinary night of music at the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York, where the Toy Factory Project delivered a three-hour tribute to the music of the…
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Joe Bonamassa in Peoria (with Shawn Hillman)
Shawn Hillman returns to the Illinois Drifter Podcast to break down Joe Bonamassa’s recent stop at the Prairie Home Alliance Theater in Peoria. We talk Bonamassa’s band, the dynamic nature of his live show, setlist surprises, venue vibes, and why the band — not just the guitar hero — is the real...
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Kent Aberle on Fairbury, Brit Turner and life inside Blackberry Smoke
Fairbury native Kent Aberle joins the Illinois Drifter Podcast to talk about growing up in Central Illinois, building a career in Atlanta, and stepping into the drum seat for Blackberry Smoke following the passing of founding drummer Brit Turner. We discuss honoring Turner’s legacy without trying...
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Chris Grove on Survivor, Eddie Money and finding his own voice
In this extended conversation, I sit down with keyboardist Chris Grove to talk about his musical roots, touring life and the road that took him from classical piano studies to Survivor and 12 years with Eddie Money. We also discuss teaching, the grind of early touring, Steepwater Band, Nomad...
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: Mike and Olivia Tasch from Sunshine Daydream
🎙 Episode Show Notes Illinois Drifter Podcast: Sunshine Daydream (with Mike & Olivia Tash) In this episode, I sit down with Mike Tasch (keys) and Olivia Tasch (vocals) of Sunshine Daydream, a Central Illinois-based Grateful Dead tribute band that’s been building something special for over a...
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: JJ Grey & Mofro at the Castle Theater (with Shawn Hillman)
On this episode of the Illinois Drifter podcast, host Justin Conn is joined by concert buddy Shawn Hillman to break down JJ Grey & Mofro’s sold-out show at the Castle Theater in Bloomington. #ShawnConnery talks about: 🎵 Why the Castle might be one of the best small venues in Illinois 🎵 JJ…
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Illinois Drifter Podcast: A conversation with Nomad Planets
On this episode of the Illinois Drifter Podcast, host Justin Conn sits down with members of Nomad Planets for an in-depth conversation about their long history, creative process, and commitment to original music. Justin first discovered Nomad Planets after seeing them open for the Steepwater…
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Kicking Off the Illinois Drifter Podcast at Leroy’s Hot Stuff
Illinois Drifter host Justin Conn launches the podcast edition of his long-running Substack, expanding his project celebrating live music, musicians, and the culture that surrounds them. In this debut episode, Justin is joined by Jeff Massey and Joe Winters of The Steepwater Band to discuss the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Illinois Drifter is my way of celebrating music — live shows, new records, old records, books, documentaries ... everything that makes you feel something.
illinoisdrifter.substack.com
HOSTED BY
Justin Conn
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Illinois Drifter Podcast have?
Illinois Drifter Podcast currently has 20 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Illinois Drifter Podcast about?
Illinois Drifter is my way of celebrating music — live shows, new records, old records, books, documentaries ... everything that makes you feel something. illinoisdrifter.substack.com
How often does Illinois Drifter Podcast release new episodes?
Illinois Drifter Podcast has 20 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Illinois Drifter Podcast?
You can listen to Illinois Drifter Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Illinois Drifter Podcast?
Illinois Drifter Podcast is created and hosted by Justin Conn.
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