Backland Radio

23/11/2024

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Austin Music Hall of Famer passes away following a brain aneurysm

22/11/2024

Very sad news - Alice of Alice's Restaurant has passed away.

Alice May Brock ...1941-2024

Alice passed away a week before Thanksgiving. She was living in one of her favorite places - Provincetown, Massachusetts where she'd been for over four decades.

I first met Alice in 1962 when she was the school librarian at The Stockbridge School, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. I was there beginning my second of four years. I also met, Rick Robbins, another student, and we've been friends ever since.

Alice's mother, Mary Pelky, bought the church in June of 1963 and gave it to Ray & Alice who began transforming it into a home. After the school year, my brother and I, along with Rick and a few others spent the summer with Alice and her husband, Ray on Martha's Vineyard where they ran the Youth Hostel in West Tisbury. Alice always loved being on the Cape. It was home.

I returned to The Stockbridge School after a most wonderful summer, playing music every night, and generally goofing off. Ray & Alice got busy at the church, making it into a home.

For the next couple of years, friends would gather at the church from time to time, play some music, and generally enjoy a loose network of like minded people. Then it all changed.

Rick & I went to visit Ray & Alice for Thanksgiving in 1965. The rest is history. Alice went into the restaurant business and I began my years as an entertainer. We were, both in our own ways, successful. As well as being a restauranteur, Alice also became an author, and an artist. We worked together on various projects. During the next few decades we remained friends while our lives kept us busy. She was a no-nonsense gal, with a great sense of humor.

This coming Thanksgiving will be the first without her. Alice and my daughter, Annie had spoken together recently and Alice, knowing her circumstances, approved an exhibit at the church to tell her own story. Alice and I spoke by phone a couple of weeks ago, and she sounded like her old self. we joked around and had a couple of good laughs even though we knew we'd never have another chance to talk together.

A couple of years ago, Alice, Rick and I met up at the church, and from there went to Rick's home for a Thanksgiving Dinner. Marti & I, along with a lot of old friends celebrated 60 years of friendship. Some couldn't be there, as time has taken its toll. But, the spirit was all that mattered, and we got to celebrate it.

This year we get to add one more to those whose life we celebrate - An important one. Alice was a lifelong friend.

Thanksgiving 2022 Photo by Marti Guthrie. Alice, Rick and I at the church.

21/11/2024

Heads up, travelers! The snow has picked up across the northern part of the state, causing slick conditions and low visibility. Continue to drive cautiously, slow down, and expect a longer commute on the roads this afternoon.

❄️ As always, visit gettingaroundillinois.com to view traffic and road conditions in your area.

21/11/2024

🎄✨ A First for Mattoon: Christmas Drone Show! ✨🎄

This year, Celebrate Downtown Mattoon's Celebrate Christmas Parade is bringing something truly magical to our holiday tradition! For the first time ever, we're hosting a Christmas Drone Show – and it's happening right here in Mattoon!

We’re thrilled to bring a special performance at the very end of the Christmas Parade from Sky Elements, a Guinness world record holder and finalist in America's Got Talent, tailored for our community, featuring 100 synchronized drones lighting up the night sky. These dazzling displays will create festive shapes, twinkling lights, and unforgettable Christmas scenes above downtown Mattoon.

This is more than just a show – it’s a celebration of innovation, holiday cheer, and our amazing community. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event that promises to make this year’s Celebrate Christmas Parade the most memorable yet!

Event Details:
📅 Date: December 6th, 2024
🕒 Time: 5pm to 8pm
📍 Location: Downtown Mattoon

Come for the parade, stay for the drone show at the very end, and let’s make this a new holiday tradition for Mattoon! Bring your family and friends to witness this historic and dazzling moment for our city. 🎅🤶

We can’t wait to celebrate with you! ✨

21/11/2024

ACDC outside the Bel-Air Motel in Springfield, Illinois in 1979.

20/11/2024

The Whip and Backland Radio would like to thank all our friends, family and listeners who attended, viewed or donated to Lonesome Larry's Celebration of Life. It truly was an amazing afternoon filled with world class music and musicians, love, laughs and tears.

We’d like to give huge thanks to our friends Chicago Farmer and Blaggards for raising the rafters with their outstanding performances honoring Larry in so many ways. Our friends and partners at the historic Rose Bowl Tavern provided the perfect venue for saying goodbye to our founder and guru. Many thanks and much love to Carrie, Charlie, Kenna, all the bartenders and Marten with RBTV Media for the awesome stream and sound. Sending love, friendship and gratitude to all the people who shared their stories of Larry. You brought us much joy hearing about the good old days again.

If you missed Larry’s Celebration of Life in person or the live stream you can still watch Chicago Farmer and Blaggards here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CotP30tYn64

Thank you and bless you all. ❤

16/11/2024

Sunday, November 24th - Don't miss it!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wild-earp-and-the-ok-chorale-tribute-to-marty-robbins-tickets-1043147752007

16/11/2024

Tommy Alverson's songs were of Texas, from Texas, and for Texas. Well before it became cliché for Texas artists to sing about Texas, Tommy Alverson was doing it. Down in Texas, he might as well be a patron saint.

14/11/2024

13/11/2024

Join us in IRELAND next Fall Oct 27–Nov 4, 2025! Dalkey (Co. Dubliin), Kilkenny, Cork, Killarney, Galway, Westport, and more.

Sign up before Thanksgiving (Nov 28) and get $100 OFF

Full itinerary and pricing at
blaggards.com/ireland

12/11/2024

Guitars, Fiddles, & Rainbow Laser Beams!

Fri - Forest Park, IL (Band)
Robert's Westside With Uncle Lucius

Sat - Benton Harbor, MI (Band)
The Livery With Buffalo Galaxy

Sun - Urbana, IL (Solo)
Lonesome Larry's Celebration of Life

Photo - Plan B images

12/11/2024

It's all Country all day on Tuesdays on The Whip at backlandradio.com!

12/11/2024

Online classes for Central IL & Chicago folks Thursday Nov 14.

We are hosting two free virtual webinars on winter weather safety and spotting tips! You need not live in the local area to attend (information will be generalized for the Midwest). In addition, content will be appropriate for kids to adults, alike. This will be a great way to get ready for winter!

For more information, check out weather.gov/lot/winterspotter

12/11/2024

Much love and congrats to our friends!

Too Slim offers a few words, some well-chosen.

Forty seven years. Whoa. And Oy.

Two score and seven years ago tonight three musicians descended the rickety stairs to Herr Harry’s Frank N’ Stein Rathskeller carrying instruments, an electric campfire, a saddle, and a six-foot saguaro cactus planted in a washtub.

Our idea was to play western music in the style of the Sons of the Pioneers as best we could, to be funny, to entertain ourselves and, by extension, the patrons at the bar.

The idea worked that night and praise be, it still works 7,942 appearances later.

Last Saturday night, backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, talking with a friend of the band about this week’s travel and upcoming road appearances, he said “You guys are tough.”

Ranger Doug said “We’ve always been tough.”

Truer words…

It’s taken a whole crew to get here: our families most of all, our business buddies, and the many thousands of fans and folks who have joined us for this amazing Cowboy Way trail drive.

I propose an anniversary toast: To life, love, and the long road ahead!

12/11/2024

11/11/2024

Happy Veterans Day 🇺🇸

11/11/2024

Happy Birthday, Dave!

Happy Birthday to the iconic Dave Alvin! We feel so lucky to work with you. Everyone wish a happy birthday to the rockstar! ❤️