Sarah Thorndike submitted the following article.
Paint the Town participants and those there to appreciate the day enjoy favorite entertainers from past years. Every year PTT tries to bring someone new as well. This year that person is Alex Fischbach, at left.
He is a singer/songwriter from Morrison, IL, who plays the acoustic guitar. He is accompanied by Travis Ray on percussion. On Saturday, September 19, 2015, Fischbach will play from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the pocket park across from the Post Office, at 221 W. Main Street. If you miss him on Saturday (perhaps your square is at the other end), you can catch Alex on Sunday afternoon, September 20, from noon to 3:00 p.m., at intersection of Main and Genesee Streets.
Although this musician picked up a guitar only two years ago, he’s been singing since he was in sixth grade, about eight years. A self-taught instrumentalist, Alex plays by ear. He has had no formal training in the guitar; he just decided it was “something [he] wanted to do.” So, he set about learning chords and has progressed to guitar “tabs.”
Future dates for the duo include Longshots in Rock Falls, IL, on Thursday, September 24, and Saturday, September 26, at Dixon, IL, Octoberfest. Visit him on Facebook at AlexFischbachMusic or Twitter, @AlexFischbach7.
Saturday’s entertainment begins at noon throughout Morrison’s central business district. From noon until 3:00 p.m. the ten-piece street drum band, Steele Crazy, will perform at the food court. Also starting at noon, at E. Main and N. Madison Streets is the Backwater Bayou Band, a perennial crowd favorite.
Other musicians of the day are Jim Seeley, Jr., Lyndon, IL, who will perform in the 100 block of E. Market Street, behind Baked by Liz. The Mariachi Cuerdas group will serenade Paint the Town attendees up and down Main Street from 1:00 to 4:00.
Very popular “walking the street” entertainers, Magician Jason Hamilton and Billy the Balloon Guy, set out at noon as well. Hamilton shows off his magic and skill until 5:00, and Billy will make balloon animals and other items until 7:00. Juan Reyes, Jr., caricature artist, will draw in front of Carpet House, 120 E. Main.