Events

With a blend of western swing, hillbilly jump, and classic country, Milwaukee's Best Westerns keep the vintage western sounds from collecting dust. Under the occasional direction of doghouse bassist Mark Hembree (previously of the Western Box Turtles and Bill Monroe - yes, THAT BILL MONROE), the group's veterans exude joy in each and every downbeat.

They'rrreee Baaaack! Come to the Red Rooster and brace yourself for a 300mph ride on the front-bumper of Circus -- the greatest hard rock sideshow, melting faces, making eardrums bleed, and taking you back to the high-energy shenanigans of 1987!

After August is made up of former members of The Getaway Drivers, an award-winning Madison band who performed and recorded their special brand of original music for 15 years. The band plays rock music with folk influences and features Greg Thornburg on guitar. With rich and layered harmonies, they have been compared across a vast… Read More »After August w/ Mark Adkins

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 and semi-pro players are encouraged!

Following last month's fun night of '90's live band karaoke, let's set the Way Back Machine to the decade where video killed the radio stars! Madison's '80's music veterans, the eMpTy Vees, will provide the backing - just pick your song from their list - and live out your best fantasies! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umldTWq6Whg

The Red Rooster All-Star Country Jam returns on April 24th - this time, with the host band of the past several months fledging into a new feathered entity - the Cock-A-Doodle Dudes! Bring you own band to share three or four songs, or come with an instrument and join others for an impromptu collaborative session!… Read More »Country Jam featuring the Cock-A-Doodle Dudes

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 and semi-pro players are encouraged!

“Holy cats, Amanda White has a voice that is glorious and a heart full of passion for Wanda Jackson. And Alan Subola is beyond words on guitar. ...an amazing evening.” — Minneapolis StarTribune Pick Six

Rescheduled from the snowed-out show of April 2!

Don't Spook The Horse's distinctive brand of folk-blues-jam-Americana grows from twisting ancient folk songs and newer deep-cut covers and blending them with carefully crafted originals, all with plenty of space for improvisation. Simple is beautiful, in their words. Each voice contributes equally to the band’s wooden mélange. Singer/guitarist David Heuring (The Resistance, The North Westerns)… Read More »Don’t Spook The Horse

The Red Rooster hosts a Blues Jam nearly every Thursday! This week’s show will be hosted by The Usual Suspects. Musician sign-ups begin at 7 and continue all night. The house band starts at 8 and jammers are invited up soon afterward. All playing levels are welcome!

Authenticity has never been a problem for Alligator recording artist Nick Moss, who first made a name for himself playing bass for bluesman Jimmy “Fast Fingers” Dawkins. Dawkins encouraged Nick to unleash his fire and passion. From there, Moss was chosen by Willie “Big Eyes” Smith to join his Legendary Blues Band, but Smith insisted… Read More »Nick Moss Band

GET READY TO ROCK. TazzBash 3.0 is a music festival in honor of Shannon Reed. The event was created by brother and longtime Madison music scenester Trevor Reed and is a fundraiser for Music Makes a Difference. Appearances by (listed headliner to opener): Rogue Rat - facebook.com/roguerat Electromag - facebook.com/electromagband King Cobra - facebook.com/kingcobra454 Peacemaker… Read More »TazzBash 3.0

The area's best burlesque troupe returns to the Red Rooster WITH the live country & western backing of The Ramble - FOR BRUNCH!! Join Mama Noshits, Belle Folle, Kamikaze, Amethyst V. Trollenberg, and Nautica de la Luster for a special brunch menu and show - doors at 11am; showtime at 12pm! The Ramble will also… Read More »Boot Scootin’ Burlesque Brunch

Here's a rare chance to see a blues trio with a century and a half of professional experience! Guitarist Jim Ohlschmidt's deft touch on the strings stretches from pre-war resonator bottleneck to taut power trios (as on one of his previous projects, Lorenzo Menzerschmidt). Craig Panosh is a stiletto-sharp second-generation percussionist, serving behind Reverend Raven.… Read More »Ohlschmidt, Panosh, & Cohen

Interested in some "songs & shenanigans" on a Tuesday night? Look no further! The duo of K.T. Johnson delivers an acoustic twist on classic and contemporary music that is fun and soulful, yet not too serious!!!

The Red Rooster welcomes back one of Madison's most accomplished musical units, the Bill Roberts Combo. Shaped by jazz/blues stylings in the tradition of George Benson, Wes Montgomery, and Kenny Burrell, Roberts is a nuanced master of technique and dynamics. His veteran sidemen - many of whom have played overseas - bring experience and an… Read More »Bill Roberts Combo

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 and semi-pro players are encouraged!

Perry Weber - guitarist for the Jimmys - revisits his blues roots at this special Friday event! Weber's sensibility is drawn to the wicked sting of early Johnny "Guitar" Watson (and other West Coast players), but he was also a special friend to Hubert Sumlin - guitarist for Howlin' Wolf - and through their conversations… Read More »Perry Weber & the DeVilles