WHO: Big James & the Playboys
 
WHAT: Concert event presented by Charlotte’s Web for the Performing Arts

WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008

WHERE: Krypto Music Lounge, 308 W. State St., Rockford, IL

WHY: "Big James" Montgomery got his first taste of the blues when as a young teenager he would stand outside of a club on the Southside of Chicago and listen to B.B. "Big Voice" Odum sing with Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues. Eventually, he was allowed to sit in with the band and as the old saying goes, "The rest was history." The Playboys feature tenor saxophonist Charlie Kimble, guitarist Mike Wheeler, bassist Larry Williams, drummer Cleo Cole and keyboardist Joe Blocker. Lead by "Big James" on trombone and lead vocals, the Playboys are performing at many of the well known blues clubs in the Chicago area with a more polished but no less soulful sound that lends a gospel elegance to its hard-booting groove.  Big James and the Playboys live acquit themselves admirably on blues standards – with a typically Chicagoan blend of Texas-to-Memphis panache and back-alley aggression. But these are musicians who've clearly given their hearts and souls to the no-frills hard funk of the late 60's. Like James Brown and his pioneering JB's, for whom every instrument was essentially a rhythm instrument, the Playboys bring a blunt physicality to whatever they play. http://www.bigjames.com

ATTENDEE INFO: Tickets are $10, advance, $10, door

Advance tickets available at the Rockford Area Arts Council, 713 E. State 815 963-6765; both of The Postal Shoppe locations, in the Edgebrook Center, 815 397-7301 and 2205 S. Perryville, 815 484-0940; The Kilt & Clover, 1414 N. Main, 815 962-5458; and JustGoods, 201 7th St, 815 965-8903. Tickets can also be ordered with credit card via PayPal at www.charlotteswebconcerts.com . Print your receipt and present it at the door; we'll have your tickets for you.           
INFO: Call 815 964-2238 or visit www.charlotteswebconcerts.com