The following article is part of QuadCities.com’s partnership with local music website The Echo. For more, check out theechoqc.com! Echo: How did you get started promoting shows? Benjamin: I was living in South China, this was 2006, when I started getting into booking and running a venue. I was doing that for around three years there when certain circumstances lead me to come back here. to my home town. I was enjoying it so much over there that I decided that I was going to do it here. I didn’t want to do anything else. I didn’t want to work for anyone. It was kind of like make this happen... Read More

Looking to check out some local shows, whether outdoors or in, this weekend? Here’s a couple of resources for your perusal, from Local Scene Magazine and our partners at The Echo QC, two awesome resources for area music. From The Echo, for their music calendar, click HERE! From Local Scene, here’s their rundown of shows: Thursday Craig Gerdes at Go Fish Marina, Princeton 6-9 Ky & Ty Acoustic at Twin Span Brewing, Bettendorf 6-9 Alexa Mueller at Whiskey Stop, East Moline 7 PM Funktastic 5 at Schwiebert Park, Rock Island 7-9 Been There Done That at Bass Street Landing, Moline... Read More

The following article is part of QuadCities.com’s partnership with local music website The Echo. For more, check out theechoqc.com! “You’ll save big money! You’ll save big money! When you shop Menards!” If you’re from the Quad Cities you’ve probably heard that jingle a million times. The artist behind one of the catchiest tunes around town is Bob Holtan. You may know him as the father of Jeni Grouws, lead singer of the Avey Grouws Band, who is following her father’s footsteps but carving her own path. Jeni sings the blues with a powerful voice that sticks in your head just like... Read More

Want to see some live music over the coming week? We’ve got a pretty active rundown of shows going on over the next few days! For a comprehensive listing of everything, please check out the calendar of our partners at The Echo HERE! And, as posted by Local Scene Magazine on Facebook this week, here’s their rundown of shows: Thursday 7/22 Cale Bowe at Go Fish Marina, Princeton 6-9 Ky & Ty Open Mic at Green Tree Brewery 6-9 North of 49 at Bass Street Landing 7- 9 Open Mic at My Place Bettendorf 7 pm Friday 7/23 Lonely Goats at Wide River Winery, LeClaire 5-7 The Blackstones... Read More

Since Brianna Hobbs, new program director at Davenport-based River Music Experience, joined the staff in early June, the nonprofit has kicked it into high gear – adding some more staff and getting ready for the return of regular Redstone Room concerts in late August. Hobbs, with executive director Tyson Danner, recently hired the following part-time staff: Valerie Davis – Smooth Jazz Coordinator. She previously ran Great Sounds Promotions, which was a nonprofit that presented the Smooth Jazz Series twice yearly, usually by renting the Redstone Room. “We’ve worked with Valerie for years,... Read More

The Echo – at TheEchoQC.com – is a new online music publication that is partnering with Visit Quad Cities, the official destination management and marketing organization for the Q-C, to expand its digital platform experience and to continue to serve as an important community resource. By implementing a shared online calendar, the two organizations are making it easier for Quad Citizens and visitors to find live music experiences in the region. “Partnering with The Echo is another way to add depth and create value for the Quad-Cities regional destination,” said Dave Herrell, President and... Read More