Current Issue

Inclusive - Vol. 2, Issue 10 - May 2012

This issue of Inclusive includes stories on First Friday shows upcoming and past. It also has great stories on local artists, Kilborn Alley Blues Band and Billy Galt's various musical projects. Read our President's Through These Eyes feature and a great CD review.

Check out all the news of what PCBS has going on including an extensive schedule of upcoming blues shows in the area!


Past Issues

Inclusive - Vol. 2, Issue 9 - April 2012

This issue of Inclusive starts out with some very important information about our upcoming April First Friday Blues Show that you don't want to miss. We've also got some exciting news about the start of our very own PCBS Blues in The Schools program. Add in a CD review and a look back at some great blues happening here in our area and you've got yourself another fantastic issue.

Check out all the news of what PCBS has going on including an extensive schedule of upcoming blues shows in the area!


Inclusive - Vol. 2, Issue 8 - March 2012

The current issue of Inclusive has a story about the upcoming First Friday show featuring Danny & The Devils with Champaign's own Full Throttle as the opening act. There's also reviews of Kilborn Alley's new CD "Four" and Bernie Pearl's "Sittin' on the Right Side of the Blues". You'll also find information about the recent Release Party for The Painkiller's "Done Me Wrong."

Check out all the news of what PCBS has going on including an extensive schedule of upcoming blues shows in the area!


Inclusive - Vol. 2, Issue 7 - February 2012

This issue of Inclusive has a story about the First Friday show featuring Hurricane Ruth. The fundraiser helped the band raise some money as PCBS sends them down to Memphis for the IBC. The Diva and The Dude put on a great opening set that evening. We also had a story about the Send Off Party and Fundraiser for The Sugar Prophets who also are headed to compete in the IBC. What a great time at both these events as the bands thoroughly entertained the crowd the entire evening.

We also have features about the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge itself, taking place in Memphis. These are exciting times for blues fans and for Prairie Crossroads members. Check out all the news of what PCBS has going on!


Inclusive - Vol. 2, Issue 6 - January 2012

The current issue of Inclusive has a story about the Keithmas Celebration at The Iron Post. What a great time, as Keith and friends thoroughly entertained the crowd the entire evening.

We had stories about our First Friday show which featured BMA winner Matt Hill and his band, the Deep Fryed Two, who played live on WEFT 90.1 FM and at Memphis on Main on December 2. We also look ahead to this month's First Friday show featuring Hurricane Ruth our IBC Challenge winner and their IBC fundraiser show coming up Friday Jan.6th. Our President, Rich Cibelli, looks back on a successful 2011 and looks forward to even more success in 2012. Check out all the news of what PCBS has going on!


Inclusive - Vol. 2, Issue 5 - December 2011

This issue of Inclusive had a story about the Kilborn Alley Blues Band CD Release Party at The Iron Post. What a great time, as Kilborn highlighted their 4th Blue Bella relase "Four".

We have story about the upcoming First Friday show featuring BMA winner Matt Hill live on WEFT and live at Memphis on Main on December 2. We also have news about our "Blues In the Schools" proposal from our Education Committee. Check out all the news of what PCBS has going on!


Inclusive - Vol. 2 Issue 4 - November 2011

The November issue of Inclusive is hot off the presses, make sure you check out the great review of our just completed IBC Blues Challenge which was won by Hurricane Ruth.

Plus there is plenty of information about several upcoming events. PCBS is a co-sponsor of the blues events at The Iron Post November 5, as part of the C-U Folk and Roots Festival. Other events include a Kilborn Alley Blues Band CD release party November 29, and BMA winner Matt Hill live on WEFT and live at Memphis on Main on December 2.


October 2011

Volume 2 Issue 3 of Inclusive included more details about our upcoming International Blues Challenge that was coming up Saturday, October 22nd! Thanks to our entertainment and marketing committees for all their hard work for this event.

Make sure you check out the story about one of our honorary members, Keith "Kid" Harden. You will also want to take a look back at the some of the events of Ellnora- The Guitar Festival.


September 2011

Volume 2 Issue 2 of Inclusive included more news about Prairie Crossroads' local competition for the International Blues Challenge. The local qualifier is open to Illinois-based bands and takes place Oct. 22 at Memphis on Main. We're still looking for bands to compete, so if you know of any, please let them know, the deadline to sign up is September 20.

In this issue you will also find a look back at B.B. King's visit to Champaign, this month's cd review, plus our extensive calendar of upcoming shows in and around our area..


August 2011

Volume 2 Issue 1 of Inclusive includes Prairie Crossroads' announcement about holding a local competition for the International Blues Challenge. The local qualifier is open to Illinois-based bands and takes place Oct. 22 at Memphis on Main.

We look back at the recent Mississippi Valley Blues Fest in Davenport, IA, and look ahead to the upcoming B.B. King concert at the Virginia Theater. There's also a review of Alligator Record's "The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue" featuring Tommy Castro.

July 2011

Issue 12 includes reviews and photos from The Chicago Blues Fest and Urbana Blues, Brews and BBQs.

June 2011

Issue 11 includes articles about Shemika Copeland by Sandy Hannum and local percussionist, Rocky Maffit, by Rich Cibelli. This issue marks the one year anniversary of PCBS. Rich wrote a short wrap-up of our first year promoting the blues. Take a look at where we've been and where we're going.

May 2011

In Issue 10 we highlight Kilborn Alley's European tour dates, how much fun we had when Andrew "Jr. Boy" Jones came through town (thanks to our friends at WEFT) and a review of the Sugar Prophets new CD contributed by James "Sky Dobro" and Amy Walker, courtesy of Blues Blast magazine.

April 2011

Take a look at this issue for Sandy Hannum's write-up of the March 20th show at Memphis on Main featuring Kilborn Alley and Eric McSpadden. We also include tributes to Pinetop Perkins and Big Jack Johnson, who both passed away this month.

March 2011

In Issue 8 Rich Cibelli tells the story of the Sugar Prophets run through the International Blues Challenge. Dennis Wismer writes a review of Buddy Guy's Legends.

February 2011

Read this issue for details about the Sugar Prophets CD release and events running up to the International Blues Challenge.

January 2011

Our goals for 2011.

December 2010

The December 2010 issue of "Inclusive" has a great wrap up of PCBS's first 6 months.

November 2010

Issue 4 of "Inclusive" includes reviews of The Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival (King Biscuit) in Helena, Arkansas, by both Rich Cibelli and James Walker

Issue 3

Read this newletter for PCBS plans for Blues Education and a tribute to Koko Taylor.

Issue 2

Dennis Wismer reviews live venues in C-U: past, present and future.

Issue 1

The inaugural issue of the Prairie Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter.



Thanks to our Newsletter Editor, Sandy Hannum, for the fine work she does!