News - Headlines & Rumors
Attention all internet photo hounds....
Wow! We have so many new photos to post. So very much has happened with the band and with Miss Margo Jean, or should I say Mrs. Margo Jean? I will update all the music news and band gossip as soon as I can! Let me summarize by saying: her hair is growing long - ponytail length now, she has her Illinois motorcycle license finally, and she looks really good in white. More soon. 11/22/06
Recently Returned from La La Land...
It's good to be back in the country. I will get back into the loop of RUBES news ASAP. 10/22/06
The Lost Weekend... Photos?
At a Downtown Saturday Night fiesta in Tucson in October late in the '90's, the Margo Jean & The Rubes trio played a night full of ripping, romping, original music. A professional photographer was there and shot a couple of rolls. Margo Jean said she tried to get in touch (Studio 510 or something on Fifth Avenue just south of Broadway) but never actually saw the photos. Anyone know anything? Please send any info to us at cattlelist@usa.com 8/22/2006
MJ the Halloween flasher? rumors of past shows...
Late "One Afternoon" in Tucson at a Nightmare on Congress Street Halloween concert featuring Billy Bacon and the Forbidden Pigs... Margo Jean and her partner went to the festivities as flashers. Apparently Billy and the band dressed up as Gilligan's Island characters. Margo Jean said she wore "laced up boots and a black-feathered hat" and mask in addition to the trenchcoat (and underneath it a sequin covered bikini). The rumor is that... one guy, possibly dressed as Zorro, asked if he could have a photo, and his request was granted. Anyone out there happen to be the lucky owner of that photo? Please send it to us at cattlelist@usa.com Until then check out these photos just posted on the Fanclub Photo Album! 8/2/2005
MJ has left the building rumors of upcoming shows...
No Rubes shows pending. Margo Jean has mentioned how much she enjoys solo performances, but often remarks how much she misses playing with the band. We're waiting... 7/15/2005
The ReelSounds recording session full story...
"Falling Thru The Cracks" was an experiment, an attempt to capture that raw, sexy energy that permeates the Rubes' performances of Margo Jean's original roots music. The songs selected were some of the more difficult rock songs, many of which have not been performed with the band in years. Margo Jean said she picked those songs so the band would have incentive to learn them. With only 3 rehearsals, the Rubes hit the studio ready to rock. They performed each of 10 songs a few times as a complete band. Three months after recording I asked MJ when we could expect to see the final product. She said the songs are too emotional in content, and too raw in performance to release the entire album as recorded. She promised to work on it and to release the best 5 or 6 songs as an EP. 6/15/2005
Special Performance at venerated folk venue download video clip...
The Two Way Street Coffee House has been presenting Friday night folk shows in downtown Downers Grove for over 30 years! It is a comfortable listening room, although for special shows they use "the big room" to accomodate large groups. They are entirely staffed by volunteers. The list of phenomenal performers that have graced this cozy stage is impressive! VIDEO clip coming soon. 4/15/2005
DVD now available - MJ solo at The Hothouse full story...
Margo Jean's November solo performance was at Chicago's famous Hothouse, one of the premier jazz venues in the city. The facility includes stage and performance area by the bar and an art gallery in the reception room. Margo Jean had the privilage of warming up the stage for two established Chicago-area bands led by powerful women. Margo Jean was smoking hot and incredibly driving holding her own with just the mic and her acoustic guitar. Fortunately for all of us, Tom Buckley of Prairie Fire Media was on hand with with two cameras to capture Margo Jean's stunning solo performance. The first run of DVDs were distributed to fans at the folk show in January. 2/15/2005
New Lineup for special show full story...
The Rubes folk show at the Two Way Street Coffee House in January was a rare and special family event. In additional to long-time Rubes bassist John Szymanski switching to upright for this one, long-time Rubes drummer Paul Carmody stepped away from the kit to play djembe and tambourine. Brother Joel Simpson played lead guitar and mandolin and MJ played rhythm guitar and sang her heart out. She moved herself to tears at one point, but that might have been her brother's constant teasing. It's a very Smothers Brothers schtik that works well with their dynamic personalities. The band was also joined onstage by father of the talented siblings, Ron Simpson, on lap steel. It's a cozy cafe, so he was actually next to the stage and not on it. It was an interesting switch from the shows 20 years ago when MJ joined her father onstage at his shows. In the past they performed "Cruel War" and other folk favorites. This time they played "Streets of London" by Ralph McTell, "Hard Times" by Stephen Foster, plus "Worried Man Blues," "Rollin' in my Sweet Baby's Arms," and other folk favorites. 1/31/2005
Ladies of Twangoff at The Hothouse full story...
PDF document of the original Magnolia Entertainment / Twangoff Records Press Release.
2/15/2005
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