Big things are afoot: Connie Cipher has joined the Trailer Park Twisters, known as one of Chicagoland’s best (and most fun) country-rock bands. Check out upcoming Twisters gigs at the band website. Connie will still perform regularly in solo and duo gigs, which will continue being listed below. Be sure to follow Connie on Facebook (and the Twisters, too), and we’ll look forward to seeing you real soon.
VIDEO: Trailer Park Twisters at Carol’s Pub in Chicago
Connie sings “Ain’t Had No Loving,” a great old Connie Smith tune.
RECORDING NEWS FROM CONNIE
I’ve been helping my pops Vernam record some of his tunes, one of which is “True Lover’s Knot.” It’s a sort of gothic ballad that we sing together, featuring Michael Cleveland’s fiddle intertwined with the pedal steel guitar of Dave Van Allen. It’s one of a dozen tracks that Vernam plans to release in the near future, so be watching for that, too.
VIDEO: Connie and Michael Mcinerney at Dry City Brewing in Wheaton
Michael joins Connie on Loretta Lynn’s “Mrs. Leroy Brown.”
UPCOMING
Unless otherwise noted, the following are solo Connie Cipher shows
APRIL 6 (Saturday) the Trailer Park Twisters at Stadium Club (4740 Vernon Ave, McCook), 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
APRIL 12 (Friday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
MAY 25 (Saturday) the Trailer Park Twisters at Pub 78 (3733 Grand Blvd, Brookfield), 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
JUNE 8 (Saturday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
JUNE 22 (Saturday) the Trailer Park Twisters at Carol’s Pub (4659 N Clark St, Chicago), 9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
JUNE 28 (Friday) Connie and Vernam Cipher at Downers Grove ‘Friday Night Live’ car show (Downers Grove Main Street Train Station), 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
JULY 6 (Saturday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
AUGUST 2 (Friday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 6 (Friday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
AUGUST 24 (Saturday) the Trailer Park Twisters at Pub 78 (3733 Grand Blvd, Brookfield), 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
AUGUST (Saturday) the Trailer Park Twisters at Carol’s Pub (4659 N Clark St, Chicago), 9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
NOVEMBER 9 (Saturday) the Trailer Park Twisters at Pub 78 (3733 Grand Blvd, Brookfield), 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
MARCH 30 (Saturday) the Trailer Park Twisters at Tony D’s (7725 W Belmont Ave, Elmwood Park), 9:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
MARCH 23 (Saturday) the Trailer Park Twisters at Carol’s Pub (4659 N Clark St, Chicago), 9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
MARCH 8 (Friday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
MARCH 1 (Friday) at The Studio (900 S State St, Lockport), with guitarist Michael McInerney, 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
FEBRUARY 16 (Friday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
FEBRUARY 9 (Friday) Connie’s debut show with the Trailer Park Twisters at Pub 78! (3733 Grand Blvd, Brookfield), 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
JANUARY 26 (Friday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
DECEMBER 16 (Saturday) at Church Street Brewing Company (1480 Industrial Dr., Suite C, Itasca), 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
DECEMBER 15 (Friday) at The Uptown (12 W Burlington Ave, Westmont), supporting Tony Cruz’s single release show. Connie will play a solo set at 11:00 p.m. Music begins at 9:00 p.m. and goes until 1:00 a.m. Other special guests include Emily Forrest and Kendall Colette.
DECEMBER 8 (Friday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
NOVEMBER 11 (Saturday) at Savannah Luncheonette (1954 W Armitage Ave, Chicago), 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
NOVEMBER 3 (Friday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
OCTOBER 25 (Wednesday) at 93 Octane Brewery (1825 Lincoln Hwy, St. Charles), 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
OCTOBER 7 (Saturday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 30 (Saturday) at the Downers Grove Farmer’s Market (Connie will be located in the market, in the parking lot across from Cadence Kitchen in downtown Downers), 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 16 (Saturday) at Jen & Jerome Fest 2 at Fitzgerald’s Nightclub (6615 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn). Jen & Jerome Fest will feature local musicians in the Nightclub, the Sidebar and on the Patio all afternoon and evening! Connie and guitarist Michael McInerney will play a set in the Sidebar from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Proceeds support the Greater Chicago Food Depository!
SEPTEMBER 9 (Saturday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 9 (Saturday) at the Downers Grove Farmer’s Market (Connie will be located in the market, in the parking lot across from Cadence Kitchen in downtown Downers), 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 1 (Friday) at HopGarten (500 Park Blvd Lake Level 100, Itasca), 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
AUGUST 30 (Wednesday) at Black Dog Vinyl Cafe (16108 Illinois Rte 59, Plainfield), for the Vulnerable Showcase, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Connie and two other local songwriters will each play a 25-min set of original songs
AUGUST 18 (Friday) at The Uptown (12 W Burlington Ave, Westmont), 9:00 to 9:45 p.m. Connie is opening for Tony Cruz and The Crossroads
AUGUST 18 (Friday) at Riverlands Brewing Company (1860 Dean St Unit A, St. Charles), as part of the St. Charles Business Alliance’s STC Live! series, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
AUGUST 5 (Saturday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
JULY 29 (Saturday) at Crosstown Naperville (909 E Ogden Ave, Naperville), 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
JULY 28 (Friday) at The Studio (900 S State St, Lockport), for their Songwriter Spotlight series. More information and additional artists to be announced. Show begins at 8:00 p.m.
JULY 26 (Wednesday) at 93 Octane Brewery (1825 Lincoln Hwy, St. Charles), 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
JULY 22 (Saturday) at B.A.S.H. Burger and Sushi House (124 W State St, Geneva), 12:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m.
JULY 21 (Friday) at HopGarten (500 Park Blvd Lake Level 100, Itasca), with Michael McInerney 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
JULY 16 (Sunday) at the Bucktown Neighborhood & Garden Walk Day 2 (1939 N Hoyne Ave, Chicago), 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
JULY 15 (Saturday) at the Taste of Westmont Main Stage (Located next to NEAT Kitchen + Bar at 246 N. Cass), with Michael McInerney, 7:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
JULY 15 (Saturday) at the Bucktown Neighborhood & Garden Walk Day 1 (1718 N Hermitage Ave, Chicago), 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
JULY 14 (Friday) with Vernam Cipher at Summer Nights Classic Car Show (Downers Grove Main St. Train Station), 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
JULY 13 (Thursday) at the Taste of Westmont South Stage (Intersection of Cass Ave and Irving St), with Michael McInerney, 8:00 p.m. to 8:25 p.m.
JULY 8 (Saturday) at the Downers Grove Farmer’s Market (Connie will be located in the market, in the parking lot across from Cadence Kitchen in downtown Downers), 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
JULY 7 (Friday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
JUNE 30 (Friday) at HopGarten (500 Park Blvd Lake Level 100, Itasca), 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
JUNE 23 (Friday) at Orland Ale House (4225 S 95th Ave Ste. 400, Orland Park), 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
JUNE 17 (Saturday) at Church Street Brewing Company (1480 Industrial Dr., Suite C, Itasca) with guitarist Michael McInerney, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
JUNE 16 (Friday) at Whiskey Bend (222 W Main St, St. Charles), as part of the St. Charles Business Alliance’s STC Live! series, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
MAY 27 (Saturday) at 93 Octane Brewery (1825 Lincoln Hwy, St. Charles), 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
MAY 20 (Saturday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
MAY 19 (Friday) at Savannah Luncheonette (1954 W Armitage Ave, Chicago), 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
MAY 12 (Friday) at Tierra Distilling Co. (211 Burlington Ave, Clarendon Hills), Singer-Songwriter Showcase hosted by Jone of Art. Connie and two other local singer-songwriters, Chad Barclay and Michael Vutzy, will showcase their original tunes. $5 cover. Show begins at 6:30 p.m.
MAY 6 (Saturday) at Crosstown Batavia (1890 Mill St, Batavia), 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m
APRIL 22 (Saturday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
APRIL 22 (Saturday) at Elmhurst Records (107 N Addison Ave, Elmhurst) for their Record Store Day celebration! 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Connie will play an acoustic set around noon! There will also be more live music by Matt Shukin and DJ sets from DJ Swank! and others.
APRIL 15 (Saturday) at The Uptown Neighborhood Tavern (12 W Burlington Ave, Westmont), 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Connie is opening for The Tony Cruz Band. Connie will play from 9-10, and the band will be on from 10 to close.
APRIL 15 (Saturday) at 93 Octane Brewery (1825 Lincoln Hwy, St. Charles), 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
MARCH 25 (Saturday) at Fox’s On Wolf (11247 W 187th St, Mokena), 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
MARCH 24 (Friday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
MARCH 18 (Saturday) at Church Street Brewing Company (1480 Industrial Dr., Suite C, Itasca) with guitarist Michael McInerney, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
MARCH 10 (Friday) at Orland Ale House (4225 S 95th Ave Ste. 400, Orland Park), 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
FEBRUARY 25 (Saturday) at Dry City Brew Works (120 N Main St, Wheaton) for DCBW’s “Drain the Tanks Celebration.” Dry City Brew Works is closing their doors after an amazing eight years of brewing great beer and supporting local artists and musicians. Come enjoy some final pints and live music with DCBW. Rob Noonan will play from 5:00 – 6:30, Connie is on from 7:00 to 8:30, and the Ex- Bombers close out the night at 9:00 p.m.
FEBRUARY 24 (Friday) at Church Street Brewing Company (1480 Industrial Dr., Suite C, Itasca) with guitarist Michael McInerney, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
FEBRUARY 18 (Saturday) at Savannah Luncheonette (1954 W Armitage Ave, Chicago), 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
FEBRUARY 17 (Friday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
JANUARY 28 (Saturday) at Savannah Luncheonette (1954 W Armitage Ave, Chicago), 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
JANUARY 7 (Saturday) at Church Street Brewing Company (1480 Industrial Dr., Suite C, Itasca) with guitarist Michael McInerney, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
JANUARY 6 (Friday) at J. Fleming’s (18 N Cass Ave, Westmont), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
PRIOR YEARS’ GIGS (opens new page)
