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The Moondogs:Welcome
The Moondogs Roots Awakened
The Moondogs: About
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About the band

The Moondogs play classic rock, folk rock, acoustic Americana, reggae and more,

 

Supplying their blend of styles to the Central Illinois scene for over 8 years, The Moondogs have developed an extensive repertoire as well as musical sensibilities normally found in classic recording studio bands (ala "The Wrecking Crew" or "the Funk Brothers").

 

 A typical show will take you from The Band to Bonnie Raitt to Bob Marley with plenty more mixed in to keep the dance floor moving. The focus is on music from great songwriters who walked the earth

in the days of vinyl.

 

The key to playing such a diverse set list is having vocalists that can share lead-singing duties.  The Moondogs secret weapons are 3 lovely and talented female vocalists: Karen Hart, Abby Haughee (mandolin), and Wendy Meyer (acoustic guitar) covering anything from Mick Jagger to Joni Mitchell.

 

Throw Joe McLean into the mix when things need to get bluesy, and you’ve got the "60s" and ''70s" covered as far as lead vocals.

 

Many of the Moondogs arrangements feature 4-part vocal harmonies as well, a rarity in today's music scene.

 

Joe also shares the lead guitar chores with Bob St. Gemme, a picker well-versed in all things rock, blues, and country. Laura St. Gemme has added a great touch to the band with her fiddle playing. Take all that musical goodness, put it on top of a rhythm section composed of 2 long-time veterans of the scene, Jay Ferguson (drums) and Aaron Walk (bass), and you’ve got yourself one heck of a band!

The MoonDogs are blessed with the mindful rhythm of Jay Ferguson and quite honestly, we continue to grow weekly and with every performance. Jay has the ability to help push us to our best potential as musicians! 

The Moondogs : Events

Roots awakened

There is comfort in the familiar. Through recognizable musical elements, certain memories and sentiments are brought forward as you listen to the Moondogs’ debut album,

Roots Awakened.

This was no mistake. Take this blend of roots, rock, blues, and reggae as a reminder of

who you are, who we all are. 

This shared music belongs to us all as members of the human race. These musical pairings are intended to transcend the insular divisions that plague us. 

In this time of acrimony and uncertainty, locally, nationally and worldwide, the Moondogs seek to provide listeners with a reminder and with a gift – something that illustrates our shared humanity through the gift of music, and particularly through music which

belongs to us all. 

As you get to know Roots Awakened, I know memories of milestones from your life will flood your mind, just as mine did. Chances are you’ll remember a birth, a loss, a celebration, a success, a failure, a marked memory in your cycle of this life. You are not alone in this. 

In fact, these tunes are just a small sampling of the music that binds our humanity, music that calls out our happiness, our sadness, our humility, our pride, our fears and weaknesses, our disgust and our pleasure – all of those mortal attributes that unite us as one. 

From the fertile fields of central Illinois, the Moondogs family, through keen musicianship and unique vocal harmony, are proud to present to you, Roots Awakened.

- Jennifer Ferguson

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The Moondogs : Video
The Moondogs: Store

Bands we cover

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Partial List of Bands 

Neal Young-Van Morrison-Bill Withers-Brandi Carlile-Allman Brothers-Son Volt-Lucinda Williams-Grateful Dead-Rolling Stones-Bonnie Raitt-Paul Simon-Marshall Tucker Band-Johnny Cash-Tom Petty-George Harrison-The Lumineers-Dolly Parton-Fleetwood Mac-Robbie Fulks-The Who-Bob Marley-Gerry Rafferty-Elmore James-Eric Clapton-Jimi Hendrix-Aretha Franklin-Cream-J.J. Cale-Tracy Chapman-The Band-Alabama Shake-Vance Joy, MUCH MORE!!

past performances

  • ROAR - Charleston, IL

  • Bowls of Hope - Charleston, IL

  • Spanky's - Mattoon, IL

  • Tuscan Hills Winery - Effingham, IL

  • K of C - Effingham, IL

  • Mac's Uptowner - Charleston, IL

  • Friday Night Live - Champaign, IL

  • Krannert Center - Urbana, IL

  • Doudna Fine Arts Center - Charleston, IL

  • Taste of Champaign - Champaign, IL

  • Tarble Arts Center - Charleston, IL

  • Top of the Roc - Charleston, IL

  • Greenup Sportsmans Club - Greenup, IL

  • Eagles - Mattoon, IL

  • VFW - Charleston, IL

  • Dirty's Bar & Grill - Charleston, IL

  • Monarch Brewing - Monticello, IL

  • The Midway - Effingham, IL

press downloads

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cd cover

8.5 x 11 Poster

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11x17 Poster

The Moondogs: Portfolio

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