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When James Weigel left his home in Metamora, Illinois for Chicago, he brought along his central Illinois, no-nonsense rural outlook on life and choosing a musical path. Central Illinois is rich in great musical traditions--from REO Speedwagon to Alison Krauss to the late Dan Fogelberg. Weigel draws from that tradition and has made a home for himself up north, while keeping that downstate sense of steadfast determination to make his music work for him. An avid player of many stringed instruments, Weigel by day can be found at the northside musical temple of Flatts and Sharpe (where Martin bought his first bass guitar) providing lessons, participating in occasional sessions and having a finger on the pulse of the local performing venues. His network of venues varies from the local watering holes to listening rooms. Weigel's songs are also varied for the occasion, fitting easily into the neighborhood setting without compromising any of his integrity. The result is a man who can travel but chooses to make his neighborhood his castle keep for his musical ambitions. Excellent song crafting and musicianship guarantees that this farm boy from Metamora is not casting his musical pearls to any swine any time soon.
Learn more about James by visiting:
https://www.ensembleschools.com/flatts-and-sharpe/staff/james-weigel/
https://www.facebook.com/JamesWeigelUnderTheFloorboardsMusic/

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Justin Gillam is a member of the Chicago area-based Americana band, the Mudflapps. He also studied literature and is an avid painter. He is also a brilliant solo artist and lyricist. Gillam's lyrics are about the human condition--the idea that to build something beautiful and worthwhile also requires a willingness to destroy what is there. In other words, creativity is not just about creating, but destruction of that which inhibits growth and expression. Gillam's own personal life serves as a model. His songs have a lot to do with vulnerability, lost loves, death of loves. But he is not a morose human being. Far from it. He surveys life with a cautious, but whimsical eye. His story of spending $90 to see Kris Christopherson and Merle Haggard perform for 45 minutes is both funny, but insightful. He may have been cheated on the show, but he was able to ingest the depth and songwriting sincerity of both of his idols during that brief concert. Gillam is a damn fine songwriter in the way he brings honesty and uniqueness to his songs. He is an excellent model to study and many more temples are out there to build and destroy.
His website is www.justingillam.com.
https://www.themudflapps.com/

Support the show

We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links:

SUPPORT THE SHOW:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MartyfineaK

MARTIN'S WEBSITE:
http://www.MARTINMcCORMACK.COM
(note---you can get my weekly bulletin when you sign up on the list!)

MARTIN'S MUSIC:
Music | Martin Laurence McCormack (bandcamp.com)
Martin McCormack | Spotify

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Every so often, one comes across a person who is "the real thing" living an authentic life, with little regard to fame, fortune, family or even food for that matter. Enter Justin Gillam, a person who lives for his passion, creating music that is raw, honest and blunt. There is no clever wording, no symbolism hidden behind a word. Gillam writes from his heart, from his experience of loves won and lost, alcohol, being in a band and being a loner. He represents the far outlier of Americana music, the real musical frontiersman, creating songs with no expectation other than to get the song off his chest. A refreshing lyricist and no-frills deliveryman of sound on a duct-taped guitar, Gillam is the real deal. www.justingillam.com.

Support the show

We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links:

SUPPORT THE SHOW:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MartyfineaK

MARTIN'S WEBSITE:
http://www.MARTINMcCORMACK.COM
(note---you can get my weekly bulletin when you sign up on the list!)

MARTIN'S MUSIC:
Music | Martin Laurence McCormack (bandcamp.com)
Martin McCormack | Spotify

MARTIN'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Martin McCormack - YouTube

FACEBOOK
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