Co-author of rock music books, music and concert reviewer for Chicago Blues Guide and other publications, and co-host of "That Rock Show” from the Road to Rock Studio at the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet, IL.https://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mv5bbjbxuc27Over her young career spanning 6 albums & worldwide tours, singer/songwriter & guitar slinger Ally Venable has racked up several music awards & accolades from the rock & blues press. Ally was our special guest on Ep. 75 of That Rock Show with Jim and Mark. Listen at roadtorock.org/podcast.10 Sep 2026 04:57 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv5bbjbxuc27https://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mu3nrzdl4s2yWow...this man validates his thin skin and insanity every day. Even a child gives his/her immaturity a break on occasion. So Lake Ontario is now Lake America? Boy...is this ripe development ripe for jokes amongst late night comics.27 Aug 2026 20:11 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu3nrzdl4s2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mtjpwarmkk2nChicago's own Melody Angel was our guest on That Rock Show with Jim & Mark. She a multi-instrumentalist who sings, writes, arranges, produces, acts and has done ads & voice work. Her new album is Dreamcatcher. Listen to our interview and her music that follows at www.roadtorock.org/podcast.20 Aug 2026 17:01 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtjpwarmkk2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mt3kaqw3ok2mBreak from depressing MAGA news and listen to Ep 71 of That Rock Show with Jim and Mark titled "Band of Brothers" about brothers who were in bands together. Listen at roadtorock.org/podcast or on music streaming platforms by searching "Illinois Rock & Roll Museum." Photo Credits: Jim Summaria.15 Aug 2026 01:42 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt3kaqw3ok2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3msok2vdcm2257 years ago, Radio Hall of Fame DJ Pat St. John gave our first book “Classic Rock – Photographs from Yesterday and Today” national attention. Thank you Pat. Our latest book is “’70s Chicagoland Rock Concerts.” Both are part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame + Museum's Library and Archives Collection.09 Aug 2026 21:34 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3msok2vdcm225https://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3ms5fiuabtc2lThe authors of a definitive new bio about guitar great Jeff Beck (Blow By Blow-The Jeff Beck Story) were our guests on Ep. 69 of That Rock Show with Jim Summaria & Mark Plotnick. Listen by going to the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum at www.roadtorock.org/podcast. Concert Photo: Jim Summaria.03 Aug 2026 01:57 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms5fiuabtc2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mrejluub3s2rWhere are Republicans whose dogma was "it's about the debt - cut spending." Americans are in more immediate danger from cuts in agencies, experts & programs that monitor food, air, water, health, weather, product safety, etc. General/President Eisenhower was right about runaway military spending.24 Jul 2026 04:34 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrejluub3s2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mrdtkqozxs2zOur special guest on this week's That Rock Show with Jim & Mark airing from the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum is a member of 5 music halls of fame! Felix Cavaliere told memorable stories about his life, career, The Beatles, Hendrix, the Nashville scene and more. Listen at roadtorock.org/podcast23 Jul 2026 22:00 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrdtkqozxs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mqstbnbrzc2oThe only "winning big" actually going on in Trump MAGA world are the bank accounts of his family and billionaire crypto and tech bros. [contains quote post or other embedded content]17 Jul 2026 03:39 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqstbnbrzc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mqst22uask2oEveryone should watch Tom Hank's History Channel doc on WW2. Just finished episode Overload. The bravery of so many who knew they were likely to be wounded or killed made me so upset after watching the cowardice of Jay Clayton and Todd Blanche taking marching orders from a cowardly raving madman.17 Jul 2026 03:35 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqst22uask2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mqqa2vu3rc2uThe word "Spineless" in the next edition of the Oxford dictionary should have photos of invertebrates Todd Blanche and DNI nominee Jay Clayton. Not since Fred Astaire have we witness such tap dancing! Both should be rejected but the fix is in.16 Jul 2026 02:50 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqqa2vu3rc2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mpzh7tqwus2rSo Donald Trump gets involved like a mafia boss to overturn the suspension of a USA soccer player who would not be on the team if Trump had his way with Birthright Citizen. No worries: if we lose, the Cup is fixed like the election. FIFA boss: sucking up to orange man is a one way street pal.07 Jul 2026 01:27 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpzh7tqwus2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mpoo2blkss2kGenius James Comer said that at least Trump's enrichment was done in the open vs. Hunter Biden. Newsflash lamebrain - murder in the open vs. behind closed doors is still murder. Comer spent his energy holding Hunter hearings, but Hunter Biden wasn't POTUS. Eric, Don Jr. Ivanka & Jared should testify02 Jul 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpoo2blkss2khttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mowbsh3mrk2qIf you're in the Chicagoland area on June 25th, Jim Summaria and I we'll be appearing from 6:30-7:30PM at the About Time Bookstore in downtown Libertyville, IL answering questions from moderator Alison Sullivan & attendees about our latest book and careers. https://abouttimebookstore.com/event/2026-06-25/70s-chicagoland-rock-concerts-author-discussion-book-signing23 Jun 2026 01:47 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mowbsh3mrk2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3momg6orj5223That Rock Show celebrates our 250th with stories & songs by Ray Charles, James Brown, Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Johnny Cash, The Highwaymen, Woody Guthrie, George M. Cohan, Jimi Hendrix and the Dead. roadtorock.org/podcast https://www.roadtorock.org/podcast19 Jun 2026 03:39 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3momg6orj5223https://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mne2ry72ws2bTrump & the Justice Dept are backing off the $1.8 grifter fund. But here's the real outrage: Trump & his family will likely avoiding future audits - talk about a gift! This family has grifted their way through life. Dems...you have a relatable issue here for avg. taxpayers. ADDRESS THIS!03 Jun 2026 02:28 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mne2ry72ws2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mkgneqcjh22b"Songs by the Numbers" is the theme for this week's "That Rock Show with Jim & Mark airing from the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66. We take a deep dive into songs with numbers in the title. Listen at www.roadtorock.org/podcast or search podcast platforms for "Illinois Rock and Roll Museum.26 Apr 2026 22:51 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkgneqcjh22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mjlegeg6zk2yDonald Trump is a one man wrecking machine. Anything he touches, he destroys or corrupts. A man this toxic could not work as a barista in my small town. He is a petulant child with pathological narcissism and the inability to be truthful. But what scares me most are his spineless sycophants.16 Apr 2026 02:29 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjlegeg6zk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3min5rn6zfs26Letting Joanne Shaw Taylor (Center) wash away the Trump Blues. Enjoy my Chicago Blues Guide review of Joanne Shaw Taylor and her band at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie at lnkd.in/gEWXErHh.. L-R: Concert photographer Jim Summaria, Joanne, Mark Plotnick.04 Apr 2026 02:10 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3min5rn6zfs26https://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3miaj4srlak25Best Sign Award by a non-human at the No Kings demonstration I attended goes to...30 Mar 2026 01:28 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3miaj4srlak25https://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mfct62lfck2whttps://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/14/lierryville-algonquin-that-rock-show/ Nice story about "That Rock Show" that can be heard at www.roadtorock.org/podcast. Upcoming guests: Guitarist/singer/songwriter Joanne Shaw Taylor, harmonica great Jerry Portnoy (Muddy Waters & Eric Clapton)and Chicago blues guitar virtuoso Stefan Hillesheim.20 Feb 2026 19:18 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfct62lfck2whttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mdt4nijihs2aWe know evil lurks in Trump's brain, but on Ep. 43 (Mark’s Brain Drain) of THAT ROCK SHOW, professor Summaria (L) probes the recesses of Mark's brain for long buried deep cuts. Listen at roadtorock.org/podcast or search Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Spotify, Amazon or Apple podcast platforms01 Feb 2026 20:00 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdt4nijihs2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mdlrvfq2ds2lOn Ep. 44 of “That Rock Show,” Jim & Mark discuss the genesis of 1960s garage rock with songs from iconic American acts. This episode is dedicated to the late Jimy Sohns (Shadows of Knight) & Kathy. Go to roadtorock.org/podcast or search “Illinois Rock and Roll Museum” on your podcast platforms. https://roadtorock.org/podcast29 Jan 2026 21:58 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdlrvfq2ds2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mclpbljgzk2fHe's a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient & a highly respected guitarist/singer/songwriter who played Monterey Pop, Woodstock and Altamont. Jorma Kaukonen was our special guest telling priceless stories on "That Rock Show w/Jim & Mark" www.roadtorock.org/podcast.17 Jan 2026 03:46 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mclpbljgzk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mbv5rp5wlc2kIt's flannel shirt season! That Rock Show with Jim & Mark delves into the history of grunge music: Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, STP, Mother Love Bone, Temple of the Dog, Melvins, Screaming Trees, Collective Soul & others. Listen at www.roadtorock.org/podcast.08 Jan 2026 04:35 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbv5rp5wlc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3mb3jqidhi22mThe world of music lost some notable pop, rock & blues acts in the second half of 2025. That Rock Show with Jim and Mark honored these artists with their latest 90 minute episode titled "Gone But Not Forgotten." Listen anytime at www.roadtorock.org/podcast. John Lodge photo credit: Jim Summaria.29 Dec 2025 00:00 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mb3jqidhi22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3macolsimyc2yJim Summaria and Mark Plotnick were honored to be guests on the Steve King and Johnnie Putman show on WGN Radio 720 AM. These two award-winning broadcasters were good friends with the legendary musician Les Paul. You can listen to our interview with Steve and Johnnie at https://wgnradio.com/.../remembering-the-best.../19 Dec 2025 02:50 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3macolsimyc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3maae4d55vc2yIf the Trump admin could, they'd erase the music history of the many historic black "female vocal groups" of the 1950s and 1960s. Ep. 37 of “That Rock Show” with hosts Jim Summaria & Mark Plotnick provide backstories & play songs by several of these acts. Listen at www.roadtorock.org/podcast https://www.roadtorock.org/podcast18 Dec 2025 04:37 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3maae4d55vc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3m6uyhjkcck2pViolin maker Antonio Stradivari never envisioned the instrument fitted with electronics and fed through pedal boards and amplified stacks of speakers. Listen to That Rock Show with Jim and Mark and the episode "Fiddling Around." at www.roadtorock.org/podcast Photo Credits: Jim Summaria30 Nov 2025 22:44 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6uyhjkcck2phttps://bsky.app/profile/bluesboymark.bsky.social/post/3m6tcev77p22mHelp veterans on Giving Tuesday. Guitars for Vets (501C3) www.guitarsforvets.org helps veterans struggling with PTSD by providing free weekly guitar lessons with trained instructors. Upon completion, the organization provides each graduate with a quality acoustic guitar with accessories to keep. https://www.guitarsforvets.org30 Nov 2025 06:36 +0000at://did:plc:n7err64ihlodjpzlhsjdb3gv/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6tcev77p22m