Fri, Jul 31
|Friendly Bar
John Ballantyne's Crazyheart
From Scotland to the heart of Chicago’s country scene—John Ballantyne’s Crazy Heart brings immaculate guitar licks and classic honky-tonk soul to the stage. Don’t miss this "master class" in roots music!
Time & Location
Jul 31, 2026, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Friendly Bar, 6733 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, IL 60402, USA
About the event
Discover one of Chicago’s premier country talents with John Ballantyne. Though born and raised in Scotland, Ballantyne’s sound is pure American honky-tonk, defined by earthy vocals and a "splendidly concise" guitar attack reminiscent of the legendary James Burton. Drawing inspiration from the master songwriting of John Prine and the outlaw spirit of Guy Clark, Ballantyne crafts original songs that paint vivid, cinematic pictures in just a few verses. Backed by his band, Crazy Heart, he brings a raunchy, immaculate twang to the stage that will grab your attention and leave you wanting more.