You Could Win Free Music From Michael Roe

UPDATE: Congrats to Jeanne Norris for winning the free CDs. And thanks to everyone who entered!

Those who know me know that my first love is music. I buy way too much of it, and I live to share it with others. There’s little I enjoy more than getting someone hooked on a new band or artist.

Which is why I’m thrilled to announce this little contest we’re running this week. One of my favorite guitarists is coming to Aurora on Friday – his name is Michael Roe, and for more than 30 years, he’s been playing and recording, both as a solo act and with his band, the 77s.

He’s touring now behind a deluxe three-CD re-release of the 77s’ album Sticks and Stones, which originally came out in 1990. And Roe’s label, Chicago’s own Lo-Fidelity Records, has given me one copy of the deluxe set to give away to one of you lucky readers.

It’s quite a thing. You get the album, full of radio-ready pop tunes and some of Mike’s finest songs, and you get two full discs of live tracks and other goodies from the period, all wrapped up in a nice package with a new essay in the liner notes. Even if you’ve never heard of Roe or his band, there’s a wealth of great music here.

All you need to do to win it is leave a comment on this story. You’ll need to tell me your full name, and – in honor of the original release date of Sticks and Stones – your favorite thing about the year 1990. It can be a memory, a fun fact, a movie, anything.

You have until Friday at 5 p.m. to enter. Michael Roe takes the stage at the Warehouse Church at 308 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora at 7 p.m., but before that, he’ll pull the winning name out of a hat. He draws your name, you get the music, for free.

Speaking of free, Mike’s show at the Warehouse won’t cost you a dime either. (There will be a goodwill offering to cover expenses.) Mike’s a one-of-a-kind musician, able to play just about anything, from rock to folk to gospel to space-themed jams – here, take a listen.

I hope to see you at the show. And I hope the free copy of Sticks and Stones can find a good home. Official rules for this contest are . Thanks for playing!