John Heasly performing at Dickson Mounds

[May 17, 2012]  LEWISTOWN -- Guitarist and songwriter John Heasly will return to the Hickory Ridge Concert Series on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with fine playing and singing in the style of Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson and Gordon Lightfoot. He will replace the original act, Dan Zahn and Kate Moretti, who had to cancel due to illness.

Heasley, who hails from Alexis, is a first-rate guitarist who started getting serious about singing and playing back in the early 1980s. That was when he first heard the music and picking of the legendary musician Doc Watson. Following that thread, he began to explore the world of traditional guitar, learning about folks like Big Bill Broonzy, Tony Rice and Stefan Grossman. He released his first recording, "Make It Right," in 1998 and is currently working on a new recording. Along with performing, Heasley manages the Songbag Concert Series for the Carl Sandburg Home Historic Site in Galesburg.

The Hickory Ridge Concert Series is hosted by singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo. Concerts are scheduled for the third Saturday of every month at Dickson Mounds Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m., with the museum lobby opening at 6:30 p.m. Coffee, drinks and a variety of desserts are available during intermission. There is an admission charge of $5 per adult and $3 for children under 12. Sitting is limited to the first 150 people.

The Illinois State Museum -- Dickson Mounds is located between Lewistown and Havana, off Illinois Routes 78 and 97. The museum is open free to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Tours and special programs are available for groups with reservations. For more information call 309-547-3721 or TTY 217-782-9175, or visit the museum's website at www.experiencedicksonmounds.com. Also check out weekly updates on Facebook at "Illinois State Museum -- Dickson Mounds."

[Text from file received from Dickson Mounds Museum]