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Bluegrass and Books on Route 66 at
Lincoln Public Library celebrates the anniversary of the Mother Road
with a free concert
[June 17, 2026]
Lincoln had a treat on
Saturday, June 13 at the Lincoln Public Library with Bluegrass and
Books on Route 66, a free concert from the bluegrass band Walnut
Creek. Originally planned as an outdoor concert on the steps of the
Carnegie building, rainy weather brought the music indoors for an
equally enjoyable semi-acoustic performance. Walnut Creek, made up
of Bob Hauser on upright bass, Russ Ginn on guitar, and Charlie
Smart on dobro performed bluegrass and classic country for an
appreciative audience.
The idea for a bluegrass concert
was born from the 1902 Club this past October, the library’s
fundraiser gala. Hauser played cello as part of that evening’s
string quartet and mentioned his forays into bluegrass. Event
organizer Ashley Ried said, “When [Hauser] talked about bluegrass,
people got excited. We thought a bluegrass concert would be a great
way to celebrate Route 66.”
Guitarist Russ Ginn introduced the band, formerly known as
Ampersand, as “a bunch of old guys who like to have some fun.” Each
took a turn at vocals as they played classic songs like “Salt
Springs,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” "Blue Ridge Mountain Girl,” and the
crowd-pleasing “Leftover Biscuits.” Hauser hails from Bloomington,
while Ginn is from Sugar Grove, and Smart is from Downers Grove.
They have played together for many years, and Lincoln was honored as
the inaugural site for the incarnation of their band as Walnut
Creek.
Snack bags containing a cookie by
Deep Roots bakery and a cheese ball assortment were available for
purchase to help offset the cost of the concert. The scheduled lawn
games to go with the outdoor concert were even moved inside leading
to the first ever game of bags played inside the Carnegie building.
There were free books available to peruse and take home at the
circulation desk, and attendees were invited to sign up for a
library card.
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Library cards are available at
no cost for all residents and property owners within the library
district’s boundaries. Non-resident library cards are available
for a yearly fee. Lincoln Public Library is currently running an
adult summer reading program and a youth summer reading program
both with prizes for reading.
The next Lincoln Public Library event is Thursday, June 18 when
the library and Ink and Imprint Books will host author Cheryl
Eichnar Jett from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Carnegie building to talk
about her book “Aprons Away: Women’s Work on the Mother Road.”
Join our local library and bookstore to “celebrate the women who
made Route 66 ‘America’s Mother Road.’” This free event will
entail an evening of listening to “stories of resilience,
reinvention, and the unsung heroes of Route 66 who defined the
character and mythology of the Mother Road.”
Walnut Creek performs at
Bluegrass and Books on Route 66 video 1
Walnut Creek performs at
Bluegrass and Books on Route 66 video 2
[Stephanie Hall]
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