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Welcome, my friends, to another edition of Now Playing, where we dive into live music happening around the bustling metropolis of Springfield (Illinois, of course, not one of the other 67 populated places in the U.S. named Springfield, including some 34 municipalities). We have bars, clubs, restaurants, theaters, schools, universities, breweries, wine stores, gambling places, museums, hotels and other places yet to be named hosting performances at one time or another, so let’s go see what’s what.

First, we have sad news to report with the passing of Nat Radwine this week. Nat was known as the drummer for The Emerald Underground and other groups, and also as the proprietor, along with brother David, of Crows Mill School in the early/mid-80s. At that time the place became a gourmet restaurant under David and with Nat in charge of booking live music, it was a premier venue in central Illinois. He brought in reggae and blues acts from Chicago, booked area jazz artists, supported the local original music scene and more, all happening after David finished with the dinner hour. So long, Nat. Thank you for the music you helped make for us and bring to us, plus all the opportunities you gave others and paths you created in the time you were here. Enjoy the love wherever you are.

This Thursday amidst the regular gigs, I see an awesome concert with Pam Tillis, daughter of country great Mel Tillis and a wonderful and legitimate star in her own right, at Twisted Tree Music Hall in Jacksonville with Kayla Ray opening. Twisted Tree is a very cool and welcoming venue booking national acts on a regular basis, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for upcoming shows.

Friday gives us a couple of unusual and exceptional music performances outside our normal bar excursions so let’s go on an exciting adventure. The UIS Date Night series, held in the UIS Studio Theatre, begins at 6:30 p.m., allowing folks time for an early concert experience before hitting the town. This offering is Relax Your Ears, a duo featuring Springfield native and award-winning composer Joel Styzens on hammered dulcimer and piano (not simultaneously!) joined by acclaimed cellist Herine Coetzee Koschak.

Also on Friday at 7 p.m. (nearly simultaneously, unfortunately), the Hoogland Center for the Arts presents bass-baritone Michal Dawson Connor performing his own arrangements of what are known as spirituals or sorrow songs, in a program called Echoes of the Spirit, Sacred Melodies of the Heart. Mr. Connor may be best known to Springfield audiences from his appearances in The Lincolns of Springfield musical, but he’s a world-renowned singer, author, actor and all-around great guy. The concert is sponsored by the Velma L. Carey Family Fund in celebration of Black History Month.

Saturday our listings list 39 and counting acts presenting in the area and Sunday gives us 15. I’m going to just let you peruse the bunch and decide for yourself where to go with a mention of this one show at the Gin Mill booked as a Mardi Gras party (free beads on entry, they say) with Square of the Roots and Liz Fitz. Brian Steinhauer, the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist for SotR, recently released a New Orleans-flavored, blues-based tune on all digital platforms called Cows Come Home featuring several local musicians including New Orleans native and local legend Frank Parker on his horn. So check it out before you come hear it live and in person.

I’m going to leave it right there. See you next week.