Do you have it on CD?
If a tree falls in the forest, will anyone hear it? If CDs aren't sold at Best Buy, will anyone notice? That's
the report from Billboard magazine which reported the giant appliance, TV and music equipment retail-
er "has just told music suppliers that it will pull CDs from its stores come July 1. At one point, Best Buy
was the most powerful music merchandiser in the U.S., but now it's a shadow of its former self. Sources
suggest that the company's CD business is currently only generating about $40 million annually. While
it says it's planning to pull out CDs, Best Buy will continue to carry vinyl for the next two years, keep-
ing a commitment it made to vendors. The vinyl will now be merchandised with the turntables."
With Chicagoland's abundance of independent physical music retailers, it seems the slack from Best
Buy pulling CD sales would be absorbed by the likes of Rolling Stones, Laurie's Planet Of Sound,
Reckless and Purple Dog Records among dozens of others.
Not to be outdone, big box retailer Target has also indicated it wants to change the terms of its gen-
erous payment plans on CDs with record companies this year, re-negotiating its 60 day consignment deal
with record labels. We say bring it on. Shop small for music.
03•2018
The Big 210
Hello, My Name is Sara
Sara Dallin of Bananrama, right
It’s a curious historical footnote, sighs Bananarama anchor Sara
Dallin. But the classic lineup of her punky pop trio – featuring co-founders
Keren Woodward and Siobhan Fahey – never actually got the opportunity
to tour together before Fahey left to form Shakespears Sister in 1988, leav-
ing her compatriots to eventually carry on as a duo. Now, after the group’s
classic catalog has been gradually reissued with bonus tracks on Rhino in
America and by Edsel overseas, Dallin is righting that wrong with an offi-
cial reunion tour, leading into festival dates this summer with Fahey back
on board. “Up until now, it’s been 25 years as Bananarama for me and
Keren, just the two of us, and we never really went away,” she clarifies.
“But it’s nice to have Siobhan back, so it’s the three of us again. And
because she never toured with us, she kind of felt like it was unfinished
business – she never got to experience what Keren and I have experienced,
because we tour all the time now. And we told her, ‘You will not believe
how it feels to have people singing your songs back to you from all over
the world – you just won’t understand the love until you’re on that stage
and feeling it.'” So it won’t be a “Cruel Summer” at all for these brassy
Brits, who plan on spending it “Really Saying Something.” “Because"
Continued on page 8
swears Dallin, "Siobhan is absolutely loving it!”
R&B Music Swap
The Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra appears at 210 Live in Highwood on March 24
Highwood’s 210 Live sits on the former Minstrel’s Alley concert space that featured groundbreak-
ing bands including Cheap Trick, Styx and the Ramones in their early years, so they already have a
historic vibe in their bones. The venue has already built a good reputation with a variety of acts fea-
turing top-tier jazz, blues, and rock bands.
Now, management is promising to take their concerts to the next level. Their free showcase event,
210 Day, last month was big success featuring music by Grammy-nominated acid jazz/freestyle-funk
stalwarts Liquid Soul. In March they'll be giving new patrons and longtime customers a chance to sam-
ple a new dining menu, cool ambiance and a fully rehabbed concert space.
Talent buyer and production manager Dave Katzman told IE "we’re offering a diverse mix of high
quality live music of all genres," while partner, talent buyer and performer Judy Night has been excit-
ed by the feedback of both old and new customers. " The most common thing customers remark to me
is how great the vibe is at 210 Live. They can just feel it when they walk in the room, and it's like a rev-
elation to them, but I've heard it now hundreds of times. My goal with music is to nurture that vibe
with the best shows and musicians we can possibly bring in, and to just see where we can go. We are
already booking great bands and musicians, but I feel like it's just going to get better and better.
210 Live's March schedule includes the Marty Sammon band with Devon Allman on March 2nd, a
St. Patrick's Day show with Nelson Street Revival featuring Cathy Richardson, and IE cover star
Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra on March 24. Their full schedule can be seen on page 18 in this issue and
at 210Live.com. 210 Live fills a vibrant “city” music vibe in the shadow of Ft. Sheridan – and it’s easi-
ly accessible via Metra.
6 illinoisentertainer.com march 2018
Longtime Chicago-based guitar mavens, R&B Guitars are back with their
annual Chicago Music Swap on March 4th from 10am to 4pm, again at the
Best Western Plus (5500 Frontage Rd, Hillside). Customers can take the
Mannheim exit at Interstate 290. Admission is $8. Dealers from across the
Midwest will be buying, selling and trading guitars, drums, keyboards,
horns amps, parts, and accessories. They'll also be offereing vinyl and rock
memorabilia. Have
an old instrument
to sell? Customers
are urged to sell
their stuff.
The organizers
are also proud to
support the local
Chicago Chapter
of Guitars 4 Vets.
CCG4V will be on
site at the show, If
you have a guitar
you would like to
donate to their
charity, bring it
with and you get
into the show for
free. For more information Contact R&B Productions at 847-931-0707 or
email [email protected].