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Home » Earl of Old Town

Tag: Earl of Old Town

Beau O'Reilly in front of Jimmy Beans Coffee
Posted inMusic

Beau O’Reilly keeps the folk cabaret alive

by Mark Guarino April 13, 2022April 13, 2022

The email Paul Finkelman received last month from Beau O’Reilly read simply, “Can your car fit a piano? . . . Please advise.” The answer was obviously no. Finkelman owned a small hatchback—and besides, there was no way a piano would make it up the narrow stairs at Jimmy Beans Coffee, where he works as […]

The cover of Bonnie Koloc's 1971 debut album, After All This Time, with ads from the very first issue of the Reader—which came out not long before the record did.
Posted inMusic

In 1971 the Reader’s free classifieds hosted a future folk star

by Salem Collo-Julin January 6, 2021August 18, 2021

Music discovery has changed a lot in 50 years, but the Reader is still around—and so is Bonnie Koloc.

Posted inMusic

Goodbye to songwriter Michael Smith

by Mark Guarino August 5, 2020November 24, 2021

With “The Dutchman” and other widely recorded songs, Michael Smith created emotional realities that let you feel along with his characters.

Posted inMusic

Did John Prine die for Donald Trump’s sins?

by Mark Guarino April 8, 2020August 18, 2021

The cruelty, ignorance, and incompetence of the federal pandemic response have cost the life of beloved singer-songwriter John Prine, who stood against all those things.

Posted inMusic

Folk genius Dwain Story died a legend to the few who still knew his music

by Steve Krakow December 4, 2018August 18, 2021

Dwain Story roomed with Phil Ochs and made a fan of Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, but mental illness denied him a career like theirs.

Posted inMusic

If you don’t know Megon McDonough, blame the maleness of Chicago’s 70s folk scene

by Steve Krakow September 11, 2018August 18, 2021

Folk singer Megon McDonough made her 1972 debut LP while still in high school and in 1990 joined Christine Lavin’s Four Bitchin’ Babes.

Posted inMusic

Decades after Stumpwater put out their only single, the Aurora folk-pop group ride again

by Steve Krakow October 10, 2017August 18, 2021

Dan Berg, Dan Haligas, and Joe Gloor released two songs in 1975 and split up in ’80, but now they’re back to writing, recording, and gigging.

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