Soulful spring

Taking a look at the rest of March, here are some shows you should get on your radar.
Texas guitar star Mike Morgan is up for the Blues Society of Omaha’s (BSO) Thursday matinee Thursday, March 13, 6-9 p.m., at Philly Sports Bar. Morgan built his career in the Dallas/Fort Worth scene alongside friends and fellow players like Jim Suhler and Anson Funderburgh. Funderburgh produced Morgan’s 2022 album, “The Lights Went Out in Dallas” (M.C. Records). Morgan dropped off the touring circuit for a while but has started getting back out on the road. If you aren’t already familiar with him, get out to see Mike Morgan & the Crawl and enjoy his guitar-driven blues rooted in Texas and Chicago styles, with more recent influences drawn from his interest in classic soul. Vintage Guitar magazine said in 2022 that Morgan “can lay down a shuffle or fly over the frets with the best of them.” Check out music and learn more about Mike’s musical accomplishments at mikemorganandthecrawl.com.

For the rest of March, the BSO Thursday shows are scheduled at the Philly Sports Bar with the Jimmy Carpenter Band playing Thursday, March 20, 6-9 p.m. A soulful sax player, Carpenter has been on the national scene for a long time as a sideman but has recently started stepping out more as a band leader. Local band Back Alley opens the show at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 27, 6-9 p.m., harmonica player and vocalist Brandon Santini is back at the mic. Santini is a multiple Blues Music Award nominee and is endorsed by Hohner Harmonicas. Blues Blast Magazine says Santini “has a reputation for dynamic high-energy performances and is considered one of the finest frontline harmonica players on the current blues scene.”

Friday, March 28, 5:30 p.m., the BSO presents all-star Lincoln band Church of Blues at The B. Bar. Led by Josh Hoyer and guitarist Levi William, with well-known rhythm players Dave Boye (bass) and Joe Gourlay (drums), this band lays down traditional blues tunes with the fire the music deserves.

And on Friday, April 4, 5:30 p.m. at The B. Bar, the BSO presents the return of audience favorites The Scott Keeton Band. Oklahoma-based Keeton’s searing blend of blues and rockabilly played with his always-tight ensemble of players made the band a popular audience favorite in the 1990s and 2000s.

Zoo Bar Blues
Lincoln’s historic Zoo Bar is hosting a busy schedule as many touring acts are getting back out on the road with warmer weather.

Sax player, vocalist and songwriter Vanessa Collier’s only Nebraska gig is at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Friday, March 14, 5-7 p.m. Collier is a 15-time Blues Music Award (BMA) nominee and the 2019, 2020 & 2024 BMA winner in the Horn Player of the Year category.

Funk and jazz-influenced guitarist D.J. Williams plays The Zoo Saturday, March 15, 9 p.m. Vibe Check, which is led by Lincoln guitarist Myles Jasnowski, opens. Premier Guitar calls Williams “… a monster… an inventive, effective, and ear-catching soloist, armed with a warm tone and superior chops.” Sample his music and find out more at djwilliamsmusic.com.

The Jimmy Carpenter Band takes The Zoo Bar stage Wednesday, March 19, 6-9 p.m. Read more about Carpenter in the BSO Presents section above. His current projects include often working as one of the sidemen in Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia’s band Blood Brothers. That band has been backing up comic-turned-bluesman Bill Murray on national gigs this year. Fans who are ready for a road trip can catch Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers at the Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines on Friday, April 11. See des-moines-theater.com.

Nashville-based David Graham & the Eskimo Brothers are up at The Zoo on Thursday, March 20, 6-9 p.m. The self-proclaimed “reckless hillbilly rockers” have become big audience favorites at The Zoo. Find out more at eskimobrothers.net.

Rounding out highlights of The Zoo Bar’s schedule include a funky organ trio hailing from Buffalo, N.Y., Organ Fairchild on Monday, March 24. Pro tip, if The Zoo books a touring band on a Monday night, you know that band is a happening act.

Brandon Santini gigs on Wednesday, March 26, 6-9 p.m. and Nebraska’s own International Blues Challenge winners Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal plug in for the 9 p.m. show Saturday, March 29.

Monday, March 31, 7 p.m. The Zoo’s Troubadour Sessions series features Josh Hoyer, Matt Cox and Lucas Minor. Find all the latest on The Zoo Bar shows at zoobar.com with last minute additions and more information at facebook.com/zoobarblues.

Hot Notes
Acclaimed guitarist D.J. Williams can also be seen at Omaha’s The B. Bar Friday, March 14, 8:30 p.m. See the paragraph above with info about Zoo Bar shows for more on Williams.

Also check The Zoo overview for more about Buffalo, N.Y., touring organ trio Organ Fairchild that hits The B. Bar Tuesday, March 25, 7 p.m.

Friday, March 14, 8 p.m. at The Slowdown, the Kris Lager Band opens for the extremely entertaining Andy Frasco & The U.N. Frasco mixes up musical styles with a frenetic stage show and the Kris Lager Band is an extremely popular Omaha-based touring act in their own right. Check out theslowdown.com for details.

David Graham & The Eskimo Brothers have also been building up a fan base at the little-listening room that does it right, Buck’s Bar & Grill in Venice, Nebraska. Graham and his band play Buck’s Saturday, March 22, 9 p.m. That’s straight out West Center Road until you hit the club at 27849 W. Center Rd. They do food up right including prime rib, chicken fried steak and fried chicken. They also focus on a listening-room atmosphere for the artists they book, acts that are a combination of up-and-comers on the country circuit and accomplished locals. If you want to support live and local, this is one place to get on your list. Find the music schedule and menu at bucksbarandgrill.com.

Country stars Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives are truly that, superlative. They are at The Waiting Room Thursday, March 20, 8 p.m. Stuart and his band put on a stellar show that is both heartfelt and impeccably-well performed. The players are all virtuosos with command of their instruments and a deep knowledge of music that goes beyond the country genre. Find the details and advance tickets at waitingroomlounge.com.

Saturday, March 22, 8 p.m., Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal team up with Omaha’s Big Wade & Black Swan Theory for a show at The Waiting Room dubbed the Spring Soul Survival. See onepercentproductions.com.

The Blues Society of Omaha maintains a curated calendar at omahablues.com that is a great spot to find out about more shows of interest to the blues-roots community at local venues. You’ll also find updates and touring show announcements on their Facebook page at facebook.com/bluessocietyofomaha.