Events

It's an evening with some of the top players on the local country/western/Americana scene - featuring Jacob Vance (lead guitar/Railhopper), James Spartz (acoustic/Dogtown Hollow), and Dan Kennedy (bass/Also-Rans), and Eric Salisbury (percussion - Ramble/Also-Rans). Bring your instrument and your A-game!

One of the area's top music scholars, Nate Gibson undertook a project that united passion and performance - tracking down the then-surviving artists from the Starday record label to join them on re-recorded versions of their historic catalog. Gibson's easygoing stage presence leans more towards vintage hillbilly boppers than rockabilly, but he and his band… Read More »Nate Gibson & the Stardazers with Two Trick Pony

Catch Trivia Night every other Thursday, with Tricia and her skillfully crafted array of stumpers! Bring your own team, or create one with others that evening at the Rooster! The Blues Jam immediately follows Trivia.

The Red Rooster hosts a Blues Jam nearly every Thursday! Musician sign-ups begin at 7 and continue all night. This week’s host is Madison blues legend James Earl Tate, host of blues jams across five decades! The house band starts at 8 and jammers are invited up soon afterward. Professional players are encouraged!

One of the top Rooster tribute bands, Madison's Foo Foo Dolls rock out with all your favorite '80's and '90's sing-along rock anthems! With several vocalists covering a wide range of performance styles, you're bound to hear something that'll have you up and dancing!

Dancers at the alert! Mondo Cortez and the Chicago Blues Angels stand perfectly astride the rockabilly and jump blues camps - drawing inspiration from the Paladins, Kid Ramos, and the late Nick Curran (who was a friend of Cortez's and occasionally joined him on small Chicago area shows). Cortez is also the six-string rocket in… Read More »Mondo Cortez & the Chicago Blues Angels

For more than eight years and almost 600 shows, the ever-evolving Americana outfit Gin Mill Hollow has been showcasing their unique approach to string-band music throughout the Midwest and beyond. Born as an acoustic duo at the Up North Bar in Madison, Wisconsin, the group found traction in the area after adding mandolin and eventually… Read More »Gin Mill Hollow with Wise Jennings

You've heard Tall Paul Sabel's warm baritone voice and bluesy harmonica licks with the Ryan McGrath Band. You may have also heard him behind Lorenzo "Cat Daddy" Thompson at Madison and Milwaukee dates. Here's your chance to see him up front - bringing his songwriting creativity and Chicago blues training to the Red Rooster stage!

Karaoke has been rockin' the Red Rooster this fall, courtesy of Tricia and her 50,000-song library of material – covering all genres and eras of music! There's a new theme every show. Join your friends for a sing-along – or belt out your own personal anthem!

What better way to head into the Holiday Season than with the region's most seasoned - and awarded - R&B/blues band? Yes, we expect the place to be busy - friendly reminder that you can park next door (in the auto parts lot) on nights and weekends!

Friday and Saturday, November 24 and 25, the Red Rooster thanks its patrons, its neighbors on Madison's East Side and in Monona, and ESPECIALLY all the musicians that have graced the stage so far in with AN APPRECIATION WEEKEND! Shows will be only $5! Friday, it's time to appreciate Madison's longest-tenured host of blues jams,… Read More »Tate and the 008 Band – Appreciation Show and CD Release Party!

Friday and Saturday, November 24 and 25, the Red Rooster thanks its patrons, its neighbors on Madison's East Side and in Monona, and ESPECIALLY all the musicians that have graced the stage so far in with AN APPRECIATION WEEKEND! Shows will be only $5! Saturday the 25th, Madison's King of Roadhouse Blues, Paul Filipowicz, plugs… Read More »Paul Filipowicz Band with Guest Big Al Dorn – Appreciation Show

With a balanced complement of resonant and soulful vocals, taut guitar instrumentation, and introspective songwriting, Ivy Ford has developed into one of the brightest young performers on the Chicago blues stages. Recently, she's been featured with a weekly artist-in-residency show on Wednesdays at Rosa's in Chicago. From singing the blues to being sultry, she is… Read More »Ivy Ford

Always embracing the quirky side of musicianship, Cork 'n Bottle's lengthy Madison heritage traces to the long-gone downtown hole-in-the-wall, Ken's Bar & Grill. The group's fluid bluegrass numbers and audience engagement are part of their trademark presence.

Catch Trivia Night every other Thursday, with Tricia and her skillfully crafted array of stumpers! Bring your own team, or create one with others that evening at the Rooster! The Blues Jam immediately follows Trivia.

The Red Rooster hosts a Blues Jam nearly every Thursday! Musician sign-ups begin at 7 and continue all night. This week’s host is Madison blues legend James Earl Tate, host of blues jams across five decades! The house band starts at 8 and jammers are invited up soon afterward. Professional players are encouraged!

With a powerhouse of combined vocal, instrumental, and songwriting talent, the Blue Olives remain one of Madison’s busiest acts in the soul and funk groove. Expect a hot night on the dance floor to shake off the late autumn chill! https://youtu.be/tCEMvVJ_5ng  

Milwaukee's Blues Disciples have been bringing their blues prowess to clubs and festivals across the Midwest region since 1990.  Founded by harmonica/vocal frontman “Barefoot” Jimmy Schwarz and backed by the jazzy crispness of guitarist Paul "Walnuts" Stilin, the group maintains the respect for the Chicago electric blues of the ’50’s and 60’s. Influenced initially by… Read More »The Blues Disciples

The Hungry Williams is, pure and simple, a band for dancers. The group, all veteran Milwaukee musicians, raids the raucous R&B of 1950's/60's New Orleans with a set list of deep cuts from the Imperial, Specialty, and Minit catalogues. Even if you're not a dancer, you're sure to feel the joyful rhythm and pulse of… Read More »The Hungry Williams

When Travis Ried made his debut at the Rooster a few months ago, he quickly won over the crowd with passionate original lyrics and dynamic, emphatic blues vocals and guitar instrumentation. Hailing from eastern Iowa, Ried has been an established guitarist in James Armstrong's band. In recent years, he's been venturing out with his own… Read More »Travis Ried Band