The concert captured in this video was an outdoor show recorded at the Sinissippi Park Music Shell this summer and features some of the hottest blues men from the Rockford area - and they are all worthy of national (and even international) attention. These guys got together for one day and performed the music they loved as only they can. They played in various combinations and at the end as one group - and they were hot!

Produced by Snapshot Music in cooperation with California Guitar Trio, this DVD captures a 2005 show from the band at the Sinnissippi Park Music Shell. For those who aren't familiar with California Guitar Trio's particular brand of guitar based (well, actually guitars are the only instrument) instrumental progressive rock, let's just say that it is truly amazing what three guys with guitars and a few effects can do.

For those who follow the history of Judas Priest it will be no surprise to find out that long time vocalist Rob Halford is back in the band after an extended period where Ripper Owens was handling the screaming duties. Well, the Priest (Halford, Glenn Tipton (guitarist), K.K. Downing (guitarist), Ian Hill (bass) and Scott Travers (drums)) found the time amidst touring to get in to the studio and record the album Angel of Retribution. What a resounding success this disc is! It is arguably the best album (at least in terms of consistency) the group have ever recorded.

Julie Roberts is scheduled to appear at Rockford's On The Waterfront festival on Sunday, September 4th. She's lined up to headline the ComEd Country stage that night. So, it seems a good time to have a look at her self-titled debut. The truth of the matter is that this disc is very nearly a perfect album. The only real issues here are technical ones that have nothing to do with the material or the performance.

Lonnie Brooks and The Brooks family band will be coming to On the Waterfront this year, and that seemed as good a reason as any to have a listen to one of his CD's. His most recent dates a ways back; the man has been doing live performances rather than hitting the studio, but it is a good collection. The disc represents a compilation of some of his better work on Chicago based Alligator records.

There are those who would like to lump Deep Purple into the "heavy metal" category. Certainly the band has always been hard rock, but they definitely don't fit under the metal banner. The group has had one of the more stellar histories in music, but also has been plagued with lineup changes and personal friction. Since their beginnings in the late 1960's they have produced several hit songs, including the immortal "Smoke on the Water" and a string of albums that have been consistent sellers.

If you've never heard Velvet Revolver and pop the CD in, it may seem very familiar, and for good reason. This band is essentially a combination of two very prominent bands. Three members of the outfit were the main instrumental team of Guns 'N' Roses - Slash (guitar), Duff McKagan (bass) and Matt Sorum (drums).

There are those who consider Bruce Springsteen to be the All-American rocker. Well, my money's on John Mellencamp. He has consistently represented American ideals and values, and created rock which reflects the roots of this country far better then Springsteen ever did.