I am happy to be taking a step back and a step forward with this column. I’m returning to write the Hoodoo column of local blues, roots and Americana previews while writing for the new incarnation of The Reader.
In case you missed it, before our fearless founder John Heaston lost his battle with cancer on May 31, 2024, he gifted The Reader and El Perico to Nebraska Public Media. John was excited about this opportunity for the papers he created to continue serving the community as digital-only publications under Nebraska Public Media’s stewardship. You can read Erin Grace’s lovely reminiscence on John’s legacy in local media and community here.
The updates of new content are beginning, and I’m happy to return to my long-standing role, bringing you previews of my picks for live shows around the Omaha and Lincoln area and related news. I’m also happy to carry on the music-journalism work that John always trusted me to provide. Be on the lookout for monthly digital Hoodoo columns on the first Thursday of each month and weekly digital updates.
Don’t forget that the live music venues and the local and touring musicians you enjoy all depend on you to show up and support them.
Jarekus Singleton Returns
Mississippi-born Jarekus Singleton is one of the fieriest of the new generation of blues-rock guitarists. At 30 years old, his live performances sizzle, he plays with heart and soul. He doesn’t get to this area often enough so catch him in a special Blues Society of Omaha (BSO) presents show at North Omaha Music and Arts, or NOMA, 2510 N. 24th St., Friday, Dec. 27, 7-9:30 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door.
Singleton also performs the previous night at Lincoln’s historic Zoo Bar, Thursday, Dec. 26, 6-9 p.m. Admission is $15 at the door.
BSO Presents Shows
The Blues Society of Omaha continues to bring touring acts to the Omaha area regularly, other December highlights include former John Mayall guitarist Rocky Athas Thursday, Dec. 12, at The B. Bar, 6-9 p.m. Popular local band Sailing in Soup is cooking at The B. Bar Friday, Dec. 20, 5:30 p.m.
In October, the BSO hosted their Nebraska Blues Challenge event where a panel of judges screened the artists who had signed up to perform. The judges used the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge (IBC) scoring system to determine which acts would represent the BSO at the IBC in Memphis. Performing in the band category were All Star City Blues, Brother East-Brother West, On The Ledge and Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal. Performing in the solo/duo category were Steve Lovett and Swampboy. Taking the opportunity to represent the BSO in Memphis are Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal and Steve Lovett.
IBC Send Off Shows
A fund-raising send-off event for travel expenses for both acts headed for the IBC is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 5, 4-8 p.m. at The B. Bar. Both Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal and Steve Lovett will play for supporters. The annual IBC takes place in Memphis Jan. 7-11, 2025. For more on the Blues Society of Omaha see omahablues.com and for more on the IBC and the Blues Foundation, and to follow live updates of the performances in Memphis, check out blues.org/international-blues-challenge.
Other shows of note at The B. Bar include a double-bill with All Sorts Of Good and the Mitch Gettman Band Thursday, Dec. 26, 9 p.m. and Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal Saturday, Dec. 28, 8 p.m.
Zoo Bar Blues
Lincoln’s Zoo Bar has been busy booking plenty of shows. Check out zoobar.com and find late-breaking updates at facebook.com/zoobarblues. A few highlights from the December calendar include a special holiday edition of the Jazzocrazy weekly jam with special guests for Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7-9 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 20, the FAC, or Friday Afternoon Club, 5-7 p.m., features Womanish Girl from K.C. Popular folk-punk band The Killigans hit the stage Saturday, Dec. 21, 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 5-8 p.m., a fiery take on traditional blues with Church of Blues is up, this is a side project of Levi William, Josh Hoyer, Joe Gourlay and Dave Boye.
Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal play 9 p.m. to midnight Dec. 27.
Wrap it Up
The Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards (OEAA) nominees were announced at the end of November. Check the full list to see if your favorites were included in the nominations. Winners will be announced during an awards gala at The Admiral, 2234 S. 13th St., on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025.
Nominated in the Outstanding Blues category are The Rex Granite Band featuring Sarah Benck, Steve Lovett, Josh Hoyer, Blue House with the Rent To Own Horns, Kris Lager, Hector Anchondo and Emily Bass.
Nominees in the Outstanding Americana / Folk category are VVilloughby, Steady Wells, Scott Severin & Stateleigh Holmes, The Wildwoods, Jeremy Mercy & the Rapture Orphans, The Muirs, The Bedrock, McCarthy Trenching, Midwest Dilemma and Matt Cox.
Find the full list of nominees plus the awards event details and ticket info at oea-awards.org/19th-oeaa-nominee-announcement.
Reserved seating is all sold out for a touring favorite of local audiences, Big Head Todd & the Monsters’ show Thursday, Jan. 9 at Slowdown. General admission tickets will be sold on show day. See theslowdown.com.
Holiday And New Year’s Eve Updates
After the initial post of this December column, a few more shows were scheduled.
Shawn Holt, Magic Slim’s guitarist son continues Slim’s Chicago blues guitar legacy and performs for Slim’s traditional Christmas gig night at the historic Zoo Bar in Lincoln. Shawn Holt and friends will play the Zoo Bar Christmas night, Dec. 25, 7 – 10 p.m. Tickets are $12 advance/ $15 day of show and are available at the bar or on ticketweb.com, search for The Zoo Bar.
Check your favorite venue for updates on live music to ring in the New Year as the holiday gets closer. Here are a few options. Celebrate an early New Year with a blues show at Mouth of the South, 16909 Lakeside Hills Plaza. Hector Anchondo performs 5:30-8:30 p.m. Out at Buck’s in Venice, 27849 W. Center Road, Lloyd McCarter and the Honky Tonk Revival will tear it up after 9 p.m. Advance tickets are recommended. See bucksbarandgrill.com. At Lincoln’s Zoo Bar, The Bel Airs play 5-8 p.m. Get advance tickets at the bar or on ticketweb.com, search for The Zoo Bar. Make a night of it at the Zoo Bar with the 9 p.m. performance by Emily Bass & The Near Miracle and soul tunes from DJ Relic. Tickets for the late night celebration are 10 Advance / $12 day of show.
Due to the New Year’s holiday, the next Hoodoo column will hit on Thursday, Jan. 9. Please stay tuned, drop back and support the column and consider checking out some of the shows that are highlighted. This column only exists to support live local music and get folks out to hear it!