There is a geek inside me that prefers Times New Roman, 12 point font.  If I could do anything professionally, I would be writing all day, every day.  I wish to write well and to write often.  This got me thinking about why I love writing for Grateful Web. By trade, I am a server, a lowly waitress.  I once waited the table of a local musician and although I was probably too busy to engage in conversation, he is a really talented bass player. I couldn’t help it.  I lollygagged about and eventually it came out.

The Travelin' McCourys will bring the Bluegrass Ball to Shoe Fest 2013 over the weekend of September 6-8th. Shoe Fest is a three day outdoor music and camping event featuring live music performances which will take place at Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see in Manteno, IL.This year's installment of the midwest festival will feature bluegrass legends, The Travelin' McCourys, and witness the return of the Ben Miller Band, Ed Anderson, Jaik Willis and more.

Old Shoe is excited to announce their upcoming 2013 spring tour dates. The Chicago folk rock band will be playing their first shows in Colorado on the tour and wrap up their spring by playing Summer Camp and Wakarusa.

Chicago, IL (January 18th, 2013) Shoe Fest will return to Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see in Manteno, IL for September 6-8, 2013.

February is too cold for the outdoor music festivals of summer to thrive, so Old Shoe, the host band of Shoe Fest, is going to bring the experience indoors on Saturday February 2nd. The spirit of the festival community will come to life during the first annual Snow Shoe, featuring Old Shoe, Zmick and Sneaky Gene, at The Majestic Theater in Kankakee, IL.Snow Shoe will be a new experience for Kankakee, with live artists and local vendors taking part in the festivities.

The time of year has come where that childhood anxiety of change and new adventures both excites and frights us to the bone. Mother Nature tells us that it’s time to progress. After Labor Day we all start to feel it. This is the time when some of us head back to school, and this is the time when some of us start packing away our wonderful toys of summer.  We say goodbye to our wonderful wilderness festival dance companions. The end of summer draws near. Festavarians, especially us in the Midwest, know that our times together are going in a new direction.

The schedule for Shoe Fest 2012 is now online. Shoe Fest is a three day outdoor music camping event being held on September 7-9, 2012.

Combine the intoxication of Old Shoe’s Jerry Garcia inspired set with the buzz of Two Brothers’ craft beer and the very least you’ll get is the spins.  Old Shoe played Two Brothers Roundhouse on August 10^th, 2012.

Last night as I entered the Ace Bar for Shoe Groove, I was greeted by Old Shoe’s manager Mike Kaiz.  He saw that I was burdened with my arms full of stuff and gestured to the back booth.  Reflecting back upon this, not only was this show a great summer skin showing show, but also an entire club where everyone could set their stuff together.

Tonight! Ace Bar Chicago will host a birthday bash of epic proportions.  Performing live for the very first time, Shoe Groove is a collaboration of Family Groove Company and Old Shoe. This new Chicago super group will be supported by Afternoon Moon and Chicago's own Catfish & the Dogstars.