In what could be described a roller coaster week last week for Macomb's Post 6 Big Band and the Lamoine River Ramblers Dixieland Sextet after losing their performance home at Macomb's American Legion Post due to a national crackdown by BMI in regard to music licensing, the local bands are back on top again after securing new performance venues, beginning next month.
Beginning Monday, Oct. 6, the Ramblers will play at The Wine Sellers the first Monday of each month from 5:30-7:30 p.m., while the Big Band will take over Park Place the last Wednesday of each month from 7-9 p.m., beginning Wednesday, Oct. 29.
The bands had to end their successful partnership with Macomb's Post 6 after a letter was sent to the local organization requesting the organization become licensed for their use of music. The fees for such licensing are often out of reach for the veteran's organizations, which meant Cooper's groups had to abruptly stop performing following a successful partnership. Cooper had put together both groups to bring live music performances into the community, with no admission charged. The Post 6 Big Band has only requested free-will donations, which have been put toward student scholarships at Western Illinois University, where Cooper led numerous University combos over the years, including the WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra, and toward the band's operational expenses.
'We are so excited about being able to get back to our monthly performances very soon,' Cooper said. 'The Post 6 Big Band, which will continue to be called this for the time being, and the Lamoine River Ramblers, are so very appreciative of both Park Place and The Wine Sellers for opening their doors for us. We know so many people loved attending our music nights, and we're thrilled to be able to continue these monthly traditions in new venues.'
Park Place Manager Abbey Thorman said they're excited about opening their doors on the final Wednesday of every month from 5-9 p.m. to host the Post 6 Big Band and provide another opportunity to bring live music to the community. Park Place is currently open from 5-9 p.m. most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, often hosting other local musicians those nights. A cash bar and a light menu are also available during those evenings, she noted. In late March, Park Place began opening Thursday-Saturday to provide another weekend gathering place in Macomb.
'We are thrilled to be the new host for the Post 6 Big Band,' she added. 'Featuring local musicians is something we love to do.'
Craig and Julia Burns took over The Wine Sellers in November 2019, just before the world shut down. While they were forced to go to retail-only sales due to the pandemic, they came up with creative ways to keep live performances going, including via Facebook Live, and eventually, the Backdoor Beer Garden for live entertainment when restrictions loosened a bit. Each week, The Wine Sellers hosts numerous local and visiting musicians, both solo artists, duos and groups. The Wine Sellers is open from 1-8 p.m., Monday-Friday, and from noon-8 p.m., Saturdays.
'We are excited to provide a venue for the Lamoine River Ramblers,' the Burnses shared.
For the latest updates, follow the groups on Facebook at facebook.com/LamoineRiverRamblers and facebook.com/post6bigband.
