Music, family, friends, food, and tradition brought a huge crowd to the 23rd annual Quad City Symphony Orchestra Riverfront Pops concert last Saturday. An opportunity to enjoy classical music surrounded by nature, the concert consisted of lively and entertaining pieces supplemented by the addition of saxophonist Chris Vadala … and accompanied by the pleasant cacophony of an audience enjoying the experience as well as the music.

"Tell them to get ready to rock and roll!" That is Edgar Winter's official message to those who'll see him Friday night at River Roots Live. And considering Winter's accomplishments in 35 years of performing, who wouldn't be ready? With more than 20 records to his name since his Entrance entrance in 1970, innumerable concert appearances, and continued public awareness due to the longevity of his '70s classics "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride," Winter is a bona fide musical legend, and one with a style that - like the musician himself - can't be easily categorized.

With bringing-down-the-house hits such as "Dixie Chicken," "Time Loves Hero," "Tripe Face Boogie," and "Fat Man in the Bathtub," Little Feat is legendary. Just don't tell that to songwriter and lead guitarist Paul Barrére.

When Eric Mardis was a teenager, he dreamed the way most adolescent boys dream: "I totally wanted to be a rock star," he said in a phone interview, "a cross between [Deep Purple's] Ritchie Blackmore and [Metallica's] Kirk Hammett.