The original owners of the Blum House in Collinsville were operators of a cowbell factory. During one of Christopher Walken’s most popular stints as a Saturday Night Live guest host, he could not get enough cowbell from cast members pretending to perform “Don’t Fear the Reaper” as Blue Oyster Cult.
“Guess what, I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell,” Walken, as legendary music producer Bruce Dickenson, told Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon and cast mates.
It remains to be seen if any of the 2014 Tunes at Blum performers will strike enough metal boxes to satisfy the immense cowbell appetite of Walken. However, the bands performing free concerts on the Blum House lawn each Wednesday in September will give those in attendance reason to smile.
The free concert series begins on Sept. 3 with the Nightlife Band. All the way from Brighton, Ill., the band will sing oldies and Motown favorites.
The “soul funkin’ band” North of the Quarter will take the stage Sept. 10. The St. Louis based group plays New Orleans, Memphis blues and St. Louis soul.
Detroit based David Gerald will play the penultimate evening of the series. Gerald’s blues music has received rave reviews from around the country.
The Dave and Greg Show, a St. Louis duo that plays everything from Elvis, to Johnny Cash to current hits, will wrap up the series on Sept. 24.
Music starts at 7 p.m. every Wednesday in September. Guests of Tunes at Blum are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic meal, baskets or coolers. Free parking is available at the Collinsville Library.
Tunes at Blum Schedule:
Sept. 3 – Nightlife Band
Sept. 10 – North of the Quarter
Sept. 17 – David Gerald
Sept. 24 – The Dave and Greg Show
