The city of Rock Island needs to stop pining like John Cusack lofting a sad boom box of tax incentives outside the window of the richest people in America and instead turn that attention to where their music could really be heard and appreciated – ringing through the streets of its downtown. For months, Rock Island has been panting after a Walmart location on 11th Street, and as most cities do, they have thrown a boatload of incentives at the owners of the chain, the Walton family, who need it about as much as Scrooge McDuck needs another bed of gold bars. Listen, I get it, guys. Walmart is a... Read More

Everyone is up in arms about the outcome of last Friday’s 97X-Posure Battle of the Bands, held at Rascal’s in Moline, IL, but the majority of the loudest opinions falling on opposite sides of one another are debating the wrong point. Which is better: dogs or cats? Mustang or Corvette? Have your answer in mind? Great. Now ask yourself why you’re even thinking about this right now because you should have stopped two sentences ago. These questions are fundamentally flawed. Yet, it seems to be the way most people are talking in the wake of the 97X-Posure Battle of the Bands, the final round of... Read More

Is it Shop Small Business Week? I never pay attention. Because for me, and thousands of other Quad-Citians, every week is shop small business week. And honestly, that should always be the case. Local businesses aren’t just the economic and entrepreneurial life blood of an area, they offer you a world of new adventures you’re never going to find anywhere else. And if variety is the spice of life, the Quad-Cities offers you a pretty ample spice rack that’s full of delicious flavors for you to enjoy. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. I see your eyes rolling, “ANOTHER damn patronizing editorial about... Read More

Angi Chapman says she wrote “Frost” while suffering an incredible fever, days later discovering the recording and hearing it as if for the first time. She remembers thinking that it sounded “hokey,” with its almost western saloon rhythm, but when she reluctantly presented the sparse demo to a trusted friend, their reaction was so positive that she had no choice but to finish the track. It has since become a fan favorite. This story is typical for of one of the Quad Cities’ most unique bands, Waking Robots. Its lead singer and songwriters staunch refusal to give in to self doubt or ever... Read More

The premiere adult, uncensored, and unapologetic improv troupe in the Quad Cities, The Blacklist is taking their summer into their own hands! It was recently announced that the Backroom Comedy Theater which has been home to the “bad boys of improv” since January of 2015 will be closing for the summer season. However Blacklist fans should not be worried! “The Father of the Blacklist,” George Strader has announced that the company will be producing a Summer Show Series across the Quad-Cities in the coming months. “We will be bringing together bands and comedy (both standup and improv) all... Read More

Let me introduce myself properly, or improperly, I should say. Having a distaste for small talk and a love for big legends – not to mention a knack for being a beacon for odd events – my column will dive right into the wading waters of the offbeat. While I do have a grab bag full of unbelievable personal stories which often demand witness reference checks or a whole page of bibliographic peer citations I would love to share (should I mention my childhood sighting of pointy-toed larger-than-a-bear footprints in mud months after the flood of 1990?), this column is not about my story. Rather,... Read More

When I was asked to be a contributing writer for www.QuadCities.com and create articles about art, I was elated and overwhelmed with the possibilities of topics. Art is such a broad and beautiful beast of tradition, progressiveness, creative conundrums and evolving expression. Would I talk about the benefits of art? That in itself is a novel of information when sharing the emotional, developmental, social, educational, and holistic and economic benefits. Or would I address all the art happenings that are currently and in the future about to be presented in the Quad Cities? Perhaps I would interview... Read More

When I was first asked to take on the job writing about the local comedy scene for Quadcities.com I knew immediately what my first article would have to be about. I wanted to look back at where I personally got my start in comedy but because nearly every opportunity to do comedy in the Quad Cities stems from one organization’s timeline in our hometown; ComedySportz Quad Cities. If you’re reading this but have no idea who or what ComedySportz is, I will tell you what you are in for if you attend a show. The style of comedy performed is improv comedy. Meaning everything you see and hear... Read More

My son Jackson turned eight this week. He is undeniably the best person I’ve ever had the honor of meeting, and I’m looking forward to experiencing the adventure of his life with him. And as that time goes by, he may ask me for the advice I’ve gained in my years before him. Which is why I started writing this list shortly after he was born, and I’ve added to it and published it every year on his birthday since. And as I look at the list, it’s good advice for me to follow as well. A friend is someone who is with you when you have nothing to offer them but your friendship. Remember... Read More

I went through about a dozen different drafts for this first column, laying out my personal history in the Quad Cities music scene, in-depth retellings of experiences I’ve had in the past 16 years playing with every manner of musician, quantifying and qualifying all of the reasons why you, possible visiting music fan, should believe me and pay my opinions credence. In truth, just the fact that I can say I’ve played with the heaviest metal bands and the softest neo-folk artists all within the geographical area of the Quad-Cities is in itself a better testament to the collection of creative souls... Read More