Terry O’Halloran, longtime Omaha music promoter, bar owner and president of the Blues Society of Omaha for many years, is in the final stages of packing up for a March move to his new home in Austin, Texas. The BSO hosts a farewell party for O’Halloran, Saturday, Feb. 18, 5 p.m. at The 21st Saloon. Come early if you want to give your regards to O’Halloran. The Scott Keeton Band plays approximately 6-9 p.m. See OmahaBlues.com.
Roadhouse Shines
Jon Dee Graham’s show at the Sunday Roadhouse on Sunday, Feb. 12 included a whole second set devoted to love, in honor of Valentine’s Day. (Tramadol Online) Sure, it included a murder ballad, but it also included some of Graham’s best and most luminous odes to his family, his wife and his growing sons. Thanks to Dean Dobmeier and Gary Grobeck for continuing to bring such outstanding Americana artists to Omaha. Opening the set was Austin’s Mike June, whose new CD Exile on Wilson Street dropped officially on Tuesday, Feb. 14. See mikejune.com to listen and purchase the disc in a pay-what-you-choose format.
Graham’s next CD will be the official release in March of his project with Susan Cowsill and Freedy Johnston, At Least We Have Each Other as The Hobart Brothers & Lil’ Sis Hobart. See thehobartbrothers.com and jondeegraham.com.
Sunday Roadhouse co-promoter Gary Grobeck’s book Peckerwood Bar-B-Q: The Cuisine of the Sunday Roadhouse is available at sundayroadhouse.com under merch and also can be found at Homer’s, 1210 Howard St.
Roadhouse shows on the horizon include Tommy Womack on April 24 and the great Bill Kirchen on May 12.
Mardi Gras Music
Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday are celebrated Tuesday, Feb. 21. Special shows include Kris Lager Band at The Waiting Room and Sons of 76 with horns at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar after 10 p.m. Jazzocracy plays the Zoo Tuesday, 6-9 p.m.
OEAAs Awarded
The Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards were handed out in an event at the Omaha Hilton Sunday, Feb. 12. The Blues award went to Kris Lager Band and the Country/Americana award went to Matt Cox. The Singer/Songwriter/Adult Alternative honor went to All Young Girls Are Machine Guns leader Rebecca Lowry.
Hot Notes
Texas roots songwriter Randy McAllister plays The 21st Saloon Thursday, Feb. 16, 5:30 p.m.
Kansas City’s popular siblings Trampled Under Foot hit Lincoln’ Zoo Bar Wednesday, Feb. 22, 6-9 p.m. and The 21st Saloon Thursday, Feb. 23, 5:30 p.m.