Welcome Back Walter Trout Walter Trout and his band (they were the Radicals then) performed at the first Playing with Fire in 2004. We were at Lewis and Clark Landing. I’m a Walter fan and have seen him play multiple times. Four times at Playing with Fire, one of which was performed in the lobby of the Hilton hotel because of a massive PwF rainout! I saw him at the ZOO Bar in Lincoln. Mont Tremblant, Quebec, twice in London, England, again in Birmingham, England, then Glasgow. Scotland, plus once in Toronto and Hamburg, Germany. I also saw Walter in the Netherlands…but I don’t remember where ..read more

Jeff Davis Shares His Current Listening List... There seems to be a plethora of BEST OF lists out there. Best 100 guitarists these days. Best female vocalists. Best of! Best of! I have my own lists, too, but since I don't know a soprano from a tenor (work-related hearing loss) and have no understanding of the skills to play an instrument, I can only present artists that I am CURRENTLY spending a lot of my time listening to—those who play with the passion I love.   So here are a few of my lists. Check them out. You can catch a few at Playing with Fire 2024. Living Female Vocalists Dawn ..read more

King King and Blues Rock Headlines July 11th Playing with Fire FREE Concert If you are like me and love Blues Rock, you are going to be blown away by the Playing with Fire July 11 concert. It's big, brash and powerful. The lineup is crazy good. Aussie Lachy (Lokey) Doley opens with his B3 and Whammy Clavinet, followed by Walter Trout, who I'm sure will showcase his terrific new CD release, Broken. More on them later. Top of the bill is King King, the Glasgow Scotland rocker led by Alan Nimmo, who, properly kilted and booted, will perform their very first USA concert. I first caught Alan Nim ..read more

Movin' On - 10 Reasons Why Playing with Fire recently announced our move from Turner Park in Midtown Crossing to the Performance Pavilion at the Gene Leahy Mall. Numerous fans have asked, "Why the move?"   So here's my top 10 reasons:   1. I'm a Downtown guy. I love the Gene Leahy Mall redo and the new energy it has brought to Omaha. I want to share in the vibe.   2. Given my past criticism of Omaha's performance venues, it feels only fitting to acknowledge the significant contributions made by many to ensure a quality space for events. Therefore, it would be hypocritical of m ..read more

The Aeolian Chick with a special bond... I met Laura Luger in the early summer of 2004. She was on an assignment for Omaha Magazine to write a feature article about the newly created Playing with Fire series. At the end of the interview, she asked, ‘How Can I Help?’ And that’s where my 20-year friendship with this extraordinary woman was born! Laura Luger passed on March 1, 2024, at her home in Hawaii. Nooooooooooooooo! Where do I start?  What do I say? I called Laura, The Glue. She wore the referee's shirt during the early years of Playing with Fire disagreements and was unafraid t ..read more

PwF Founder, Jeff Davis, Reflects on Celebrating 20 Years of Music in the City He Loves Well, that went fast! It seemed only yesterday when the PwF team debated which bands to book for our 2004 inaugural season at Lewis and Clark Landing. Wow, we achieved a great lineup - Bernard Allison, Joe Bonamassa, Savoy Brown, Walter Trout, and Coco Montoya!  What started as a one-season effort to bring free music to Omaha (my favorite city) has morphed into an epic endeavor that has produced over 100 free events featuring 300 plus bands, enlisting over 1000 musicians. I'm seriously proud of tha ..read more

A captivating evening of grooving funk, modern blues and southern soul delivered with a powerhouse of vocals awaits to electrify your soul and take you on a magical journey at the Playing with Fire FREE Summer Concert Series on August 12. We've lined up a spectacular roster of artists who bring their commanding performances to the stage and your body and souls to front stage  to dance the night away.  Let's dive into what this unforgettable night has in store. PwF has created a 2023 PwF All Artist Spotify playlist for just for you. Take a spin and enjoy the tunes! BlueEd: Us ..read more

As we prepare for another unforgettable night at the Playing with Fire FREE Summer Concert Series, the excitement builds. On August 11, we have an incredible lineup of internationally acclaimed, awarding-winning artists who will grace the stage with their mix of soul-searing vocals, hot rhythms and blues, and dynamic stage performances. Listen to all the artists in order of appearance on PwF's Spotify playlist! The Return of Thorbjørn Risager and The Black Tornado: Conquering Omaha with Their Roots-Rock Soul Headlining the Friday, August 11 PwF show is the ever-so-talented TR&TBT, a ..read more

On Saturday, July 15, Playing with Fire's best FREE summer music concert series returns, with flames of passion for music burning bright. Playing with Fire has become a beacon for music lovers across Omaha. Join us as we explore the upcoming electrifying performances and the commitment to keeping the fire of music alive in this extraordinary nonprofit event. Get ready to be transported into the soulful realm of Playing with Fire, where the magic of music comes alive in the hearts of all who experience it. Listen to all the artists in order of appearance on PwF's Spotify playlist! Twelve ..read more

In the world of live music, passion and dedication often form the foundation of extraordinary events. Playing with Fire, Omaha's non-profit organization committed to keeping the fire of music alive, is no exception. Let's dig deep into a few captivating stories shared by PwF Producer Jeff Davis, as he takes us on a journey behind the scenes of this year's Playing with Fire July concert series. Listen to all the artists in order of appearance on PwF's Spotify playlist! 2016 PwF - Sugaray Rayford and Jeff Davis A Soulful Return: Sugaray Rayford "I don’t just listen to music, I feel it in ..read more