The Betty Jayne is thrilled to announce a new series featuring original songwriters. Three local musicians will be highlighted in each series, each individually throughout the evening, culminating in a jam session with all three at the end of the evening.
Come explore and appreciate the incredibly talented original songwriters right here in Central Illinois. All ages of original songwriters will be featured.
Hosted by local original songwriter and talented musician Barry Cloyd, you'll hear acoustic guitars, keyboards, piano, ukes, and more.
We encourage you to bring your lawn chair or blanket and sit out on our front lawn to enjoy a great evening of music! Our bar will be open all evening.
June’s Featured Artists
Sarah Marie Dillard
Sarah Marie Dillard is a singer/songwriter and locally based music business entrepreneur. Appropriately dubbed “The Songbird of Central Illinois," she enjoys working as band leader for her SoulFolk trio Sarah & The Underground and as a private music educator for her teaching collective The Underground School of Sound. Sarah serves on the Illinois Central College Panel for Music Business Development and is a particularly active member of Arts Partners of Central Illinois. She is especially proud to serve on the planning committees for annual events such as IGNITE Peoria, the Business of Art Conference, the Peoria Art Guild's Fine Art Fair and the Peoria Womens March To The Polls. Sarah has been featured alongside Maia Sharp, Linda Taylor (Whose Line Is It Anyway?), The Accidentals, Good Morning Bedlam, Lissie, The Way Down Wanderers, Chicago Farmer, David Hoffman (Ray Charles Orchestra), Mike Nellas (Matthew Curry Band) Althea Grace, Josiah Williams, Two Time American Flatpicking Champion Andy Hatfield and Madisen Ward & The Mama Bear.
Daniel Watkins
Growing up with the Illinois River in his back yard, Daniel Watkins’s roots run deep in the valley. He picked up his first job as a gas attendant at the old lock and dam in Henry. There he would practice guitar while waiting on boaters and playing for tips. He began studying guitar with Walnut Valley Festival National Guitar & Mandolin champion, Andy Hatfield. Through a new found love of Folk and Bluegrass music, he discovered many artists including John Hartford, Norman Blake, and Steve Goodman who inspired him to begin writing songs of his own. Daniel incorporates musical and topical elements of the current era across the backdrop of traditional folk and bluegrass music. Daniel is most celebrated for his relatable stories, swift flat-picking, and memorable melodies. In addition to his solo work, Watkins performs as a member of the River Valley Rangers.
Paul Adams
Paul Adams is an award winning musician, writer, instrument maker, photographer and poet with 13 albums as well as those by David Hoffman (Former arranger Ray Charles) and the amazing Australian musician Elizabeth Geyer. His music is regularly featured on Satellite Radio such as Sirius/xm, Pandora (106 million streams), Spotify, Music Choice, Google, Amazon and runs from New Age, to Eclectic, Acoustic, and World Fusion. His album IMAGININGS won best contemporary instrumental album of the year at the ZMR Music awards in New Orleans in 2016. His newest album DEEPER IMAGININGS with Elizabeth Geyer was nominated best new age album of the year at the Independent Music Awards in 2020. Earlier his album SLEEP won best Native American album of 2013. Paul also produces other artists, the most recent being Australian genius Elizabeth Geyer and her album THE BRIDGE. With over 30 years working in mental health, he also teaches how to use music for therapeutic purposes.
Full bar available. Tickets are $10/advance and $15/at the door. Join us!