Illinois Drifter Podcast

About Illinois Drifter Podcast

Illinois Drifter is my way of celebrating music — live shows, new records, old records, books, documentaries ... everything that makes you feel something. illinoisdrifter.substack.com (https://illinoisdrifter.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Justin Conn

Category

music · music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Jan 2026

Latest episode

24 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

20 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Jul 2026

   Illinois Drifter Podcast: A Black Crowes weekend to remember

   When the word “meet-up” started getting thrown around for the Indianapolis stop of the Black Crowes’ Southern Hospitality tour, I was excited — that’s Illinois Drifter territory! But then the excitement just kept growing as more people got involved. Illinois Drifter All-Stars Shawn Hillman and Jim Hennessy were the first to sign on, followed by our friends from the State of Amorica and Ridiculous Rock Record Reviews podcasts, both of which Shawn co-hosts. Then, about a week before the show, we found out we’d be meeting Black Crowes founding members Chris and Rich Robinson before the concert. Along with Shawn and Jim, I’m joined by State of Amorica/R4 producer Jason Doncis, State of Amorica’s Justin Frey, and R4 legends Ray Perme and Lou Fugaro for a lively conversation about a weekend none of us will ever forget. We all met on the internet because we love music, and somehow that led to hanging out with Chris and Rich Robinson. It’s a pretty great story about what can happen when a shared passion brings people together. I had the shortest trip — about three hours from Decatur. Add a couple more for Shawn and Justin from the Chicago area, longer drives for Jason from Michigan and Jim from Maryland, and flights for Ray from Texas and Lou from New Jersey. Though, for a while, it looked like Lou might become an Indianapolis resident when New Jersey refused to take him back. This crossover episode also appears on the State of Amorica and Ridiculous Rock Record Reviews Patreon feeds. ⏱ Episode Timeline 00:55 – Welcome and introductions 03:58 – How the Indianapolis gathering came together 06:11 – Ruoff Music Center (Deer Creek) impressions 09:28 – The meet-and-greet begins 15:24 – Judy steals the show 18:48 – Debating “The Seeker” with Chris and Rich 21:02 – Setlists, songwriting and band stories 21:56 – Group photos and memorable moments 24:02 – Why the Robinson brothers left such a great impression 29:10 – Southall and Whiskey Myers 33:26 – Black Crowes take the stage 37:27 – Setlist highlights and Three Snakes surprises 44:26 – Chris Robinson’s voice and the current lineup 53:03 – Sleepy Bear Campground adventures 59:27 – What’s next for State of Amorica and R4 1:08:29 – Illinois Drifter outro 🎵 For more State of Amorica and R4 ✅You can find the State of Amorica podcast here (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-amorica-a-black-crowes-podcast/id1463302176). Also, read why I love the podcast so much here (https://illinoisdrifter.substack.com/p/in-a-state-of-amorica?r=ie8se). ✅You can find the Ridiculous Rock Record Reviews podcast here (https://podcasts.apple.com/pk/podcast/ridiculous-rock-record-reviews/id1266169765). 🎵 Music Credit Thank you to Nomad Planets for use of their song “We Can Settle This at Sunrise” as the show theme. You can purchase their album Outside Abiquiu here: https://nomadplanets.bandcamp.com/album/outside-abiquiu (https://nomadplanets.bandcamp.com/album/outside-abiquiu) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit illinoisdrifter.substack.com (https://illinoisdrifter.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   20 Jul 2026

   Illinois Drifter Podcast: Margo Price, Bob Dylan and Black Crowes memories with Angela Winters

   One of the Midwest’s most experienced concertgoers, Angela Winters, joined me to talk about Margo Price, Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, the Gregg Allman documentary and, of course, the Black Crowes. The conversation begins with Margo Price’s outstanding performance at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn — it’s a special place to Angela! — before moving to Bob Dylan and Lucinda Williams, the Greg Allman documentary, and some amazing Black Crowes stories, including Angela’s experience attending the Cabin Fever recording sessions at Levon Helm Studios. ⏱ Episode Timeline 00:18 – Intro: Angela Winters joins the podcast 00:38 – Fitzgerald’s: why it’s one of the Midwest’s great music venues 01:20 – Angela’s history with Fitzgerald’s, including getting married there 03:25 – Outdoor shows at Fitzgerald’s 04:27 – First impressions of Margo Price 06:33 – Margo Price’s outstanding band and Logan Ledger 08:00 – Highlights from Margo’s performance 10:03 – Politics, personality and authenticity in Margo Price’s music 11:09 – The intimate atmosphere of the show 13:09 – Bob Dylan and Lucinda Williams at Northerly Island 14:36 – Lucinda Williams’ latest album and current band 16:43 – What it’s like seeing Bob Dylan in 2026 20:38 – Dylan’s ever-changing setlists and approach to performing 22:50 – Greg Allman documentary discussion 27:46 – Angela’s unforgettable backstage Allman Brothers / New Earth Mud story 30:46 – Black Crowes memories: Cabin Fever sessions and Levon Helm Studios 35:29 – Favorite Black Crowes eras and shows 36:34 – Thoughts on the current Crowes lineup 37:22 – Chris and Rich Robinson’s reunion and longevity 38:00 – The one question Angela would ask Chris and Rich Robinson 39:24 – Outro 📖 For more Allmans Gregg Allman’s revealing biography, My Cross to Bear, can be found here.: https://shop.thebighousemuseum.com/products/gregg-allman-my-cross-to-bear (https://shop.thebighousemuseum.com/products/gregg-allman-my-cross-to-bear) Galadrielle Allman’s riveting book about her father, Please Be with Me: A Song for My Father, Duane Allman, can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Please-Be-Me-Father-Allman/dp/1400068940 (https://www.amazon.com/Please-Be-Me-Father-Allman/dp/1400068940) 😮 Coming soon Did you like the Crowes talk? There’s much more coming! 🎵 Music Credit Thank you to Nomad Planets for use of their song “We Can Settle This at Sunrise” as the show theme. You can purchase their album Outside Abiquiu here: https://nomadplanets.bandcamp.com/album/outside-abiquiu (https://nomadplanets.bandcamp.com/album/outside-abiquiu) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit illinoisdrifter.substack.com (https://illinoisdrifter.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   29 Jun 2026

   Illinois Drifter Podcast: Comparing two Marcus King shows a few cities apart

   Illinois Drifter East Coast correspondent Jim Hennessy returns to compare notes after we both attended Marcus King shows on the same tour — Jim in Washington, D.C., and me near St. Louis. We discussed how King’s live show has evolved, the band’s current lineup, the heavy emphasis on Darling Blue and No Room for Blue, and how the same tour can produce very different moments from city to city. They also talk about opener Penelope Road, Marcus’ growing confidence as a songwriter and performer, and speculate about where his music may head next. We ended by talking about the upcoming State of Amorica meetup at the Black Crowes’ show near Indianapolis, and Jim’s plans to see the Steepwater Band. ⏱ Episode Timeline Marcus King – Comparing Two Shows with Jim Hennessy 00:19 – Intro: Jim Hennessy returns to the podcast 00:42 – Why compare two Marcus King shows from the same tour? 01:20 – Jim’s history with Marcus King and discovering his music 02:24 – Justin’s Marcus King journey and previous shows 03:36 – Washington, D.C.’s Anthem venue and Marcus’ draw there 06:07 – Comparing The Anthem and The Factory in St. Louis 09:54 – Opener Penelope Road: first impressions 12:09 – Marcus King’s evolving live band and changing sound 15:09 – How the new Darling Blue / No Room for Blue songs translate live 18:17 – Covers: Bob Seger in St. Louis vs. Chuck Brown in Washington 24:31 – Why Marcus is leaning heavily on new material 26:55 – Marcus’ storytelling between songs 27:38 – Songs they hoped to hear but didn’t 29:57 – What’s next for Marcus King? 32:26 – State of Amorica / Indianapolis Black Crowes meetup preview 34:56 – Jim plans to catch Steepwater Band 35:59 – Outro 🎵 Music Credit Thank you to Nomad Planets for use of their song “We Can Settle This at Sunrise” as the show theme. You can purchase their album Outside Abiquiu here: https://nomadplanets.bandcamp.com/album/outside-abiquiu (https://nomadplanets.bandcamp.com/album/outside-abiquiu) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit illinoisdrifter.substack.com (https://illinoisdrifter.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.