Upcoming Shows
2026sun15mar7:00 pm7:45 pmFreewheelin' 188 | Sun/2026-MAR-15
Time
Event Details
“Freewheelin’ with J Oscar” brings you a LIVE free-ranging 1/2 hour of J Oscar original and traditional songs, with video, stories,
Event Details
“Freewheelin’ with J Oscar” brings you a LIVE free-ranging 1/2 hour of J Oscar original and traditional songs, with video, stories, plus occasional guests with attendant shenanigans and blarney.
TIPS accepted (not expected):
https://www.paypal.me/joscarb
BANDCAMP– get Like Kerouac by J Oscar Bittinger – Recorded with Chris Ranney & Mark Hugger
Watch FREEWHEELIN’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joscarb/streams
Virtual Event Details
Event access information coming soon, Please check back again closer to event start time.
2026sun26apr3:00 pm5:00 pm"Ghosts & Spirits" / Acoustic Stew 2026
Time
Event Details
2026 APRIL-26 | J Oscar Bittinger Tickets available NOW > https://grcmc.org/event/j-oscar-bittinger/1126 The “Ghosts & Spirits” show begins with an intimate, “dark wood” acoustic set –
Event Details
2026 APRIL-26 | J Oscar Bittinger
Tickets available NOW
> https://grcmc.org/event/j-oscar-bittinger/1126
The “Ghosts & Spirits” show begins with an intimate, “dark wood” acoustic set – a song arc of hauntings from things past and the present day struggle to find spirits to direct and the guide in misty days ahead. The “ghosts and spirits” are not so much “spooky things”, but unsettling ones of the current age and aging. The mood will be underscored with sound design and story.
Set 2 will feature songs to brighten up the afternoon with a free-ranging FM-radio-style playlist of J Oscar’s “FolkRockicana”. Groove and grit provided by musical compatriots Mark Hugger (bass), MVH (drums + vocals), and Chris Ranney (keys).
- General admission – $20
($15 for GRCMC members*) - ONLY 61 SEATS – get your tickets today!
- SUNDAY afternoon – 3:00 PM
- Doors and Bar open at 2:30pm
NOTE: must be GRCMC member to buy beer or wine
*Purchase one-year membership for $15 at the door
$5 discount on ALL GRCMC events – including Acoustic Stew shows
2026sun17may3:00 pm5:00 pmAmericana Sundays: An Afternoon w/ J Oscar Bittinger & Dan Bracken
Time
Event Details
Americana singer/songwriter song swap! J Oscar Bittinger toured the Midwest as a singer-songwriter in the late 70s, then cofounded the ‘80s/’90s Musician Magazine recognized pop-rock
Event Details
Americana singer/songwriter song swap!
J Oscar Bittinger toured the Midwest as a singer-songwriter in the late 70s, then cofounded the ‘80s/’90s Musician Magazine recognized pop-rock band Pillar of Fire. As his need for fire and noise quelled in the beginning of the 21st Century, JOB began to delve back into traditional acoustic styles. First with The Folk Bros (founded with Bruce Zeeuw and Steve Aldrich) – purveyors of hard-edged folk with a sense of humor; followed by Oxter/Mahone, a rotating party of “Celtic Roots, American Rhythms”; and continuing in the singer-songwriter duo Dublin Station (with Lauran Hardin) – that combined traditional Irish tunes with original songs that “leaned Celtic” – and sometimes adding beats and grooves.
Songwriter and finger-style guitarist Daniel Bracken plays music informed by his rich history as a recordist and producer for Public Media, and as a performer in the US and Ireland. In recent years, Dan has delved deeper into personal songcraft, a wholehearted mix expressing the crossroads of spirituality, wistfulness, and humor. His songs embrace many of the storytelling qualities of traditional Irish and American roots music.
- General admission – $25
- EVENTBRIGHT TICKETS
- SUNDAY afternoon – 3:00 PM
Upcoming Shows
2026sun15mar7:00 pm7:45 pmFreewheelin' 188 | Sun/2026-MAR-15
Time
Event Details
“Freewheelin’ with J Oscar” brings you a LIVE free-ranging 1/2 hour of J Oscar original and traditional songs, with video, stories,
Event Details
“Freewheelin’ with J Oscar” brings you a LIVE free-ranging 1/2 hour of J Oscar original and traditional songs, with video, stories, plus occasional guests with attendant shenanigans and blarney.
TIPS accepted (not expected):
https://www.paypal.me/joscarb
BANDCAMP– get Like Kerouac by J Oscar Bittinger – Recorded with Chris Ranney & Mark Hugger
Watch FREEWHEELIN’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joscarb/streams
Virtual Event Details
Event access information coming soon, Please check back again closer to event start time.
2026sun26apr3:00 pm5:00 pm"Ghosts & Spirits" / Acoustic Stew 2026
Time
Event Details
2026 APRIL-26 | J Oscar Bittinger Tickets available NOW > https://grcmc.org/event/j-oscar-bittinger/1126 The “Ghosts & Spirits” show begins with an intimate, “dark wood” acoustic set –
Event Details
2026 APRIL-26 | J Oscar Bittinger
Tickets available NOW
> https://grcmc.org/event/j-oscar-bittinger/1126
The “Ghosts & Spirits” show begins with an intimate, “dark wood” acoustic set – a song arc of hauntings from things past and the present day struggle to find spirits to direct and the guide in misty days ahead. The “ghosts and spirits” are not so much “spooky things”, but unsettling ones of the current age and aging. The mood will be underscored with sound design and story.
Set 2 will feature songs to brighten up the afternoon with a free-ranging FM-radio-style playlist of J Oscar’s “FolkRockicana”. Groove and grit provided by musical compatriots Mark Hugger (bass), MVH (drums + vocals), and Chris Ranney (keys).
- General admission – $20
($15 for GRCMC members*) - ONLY 61 SEATS – get your tickets today!
- SUNDAY afternoon – 3:00 PM
- Doors and Bar open at 2:30pm
NOTE: must be GRCMC member to buy beer or wine
*Purchase one-year membership for $15 at the door
$5 discount on ALL GRCMC events – including Acoustic Stew shows
2026sun17may3:00 pm5:00 pmAmericana Sundays: An Afternoon w/ J Oscar Bittinger & Dan Bracken
Time
Event Details
Americana singer/songwriter song swap! J Oscar Bittinger toured the Midwest as a singer-songwriter in the late 70s, then cofounded the ‘80s/’90s Musician Magazine recognized pop-rock
Event Details
Americana singer/songwriter song swap!
J Oscar Bittinger toured the Midwest as a singer-songwriter in the late 70s, then cofounded the ‘80s/’90s Musician Magazine recognized pop-rock band Pillar of Fire. As his need for fire and noise quelled in the beginning of the 21st Century, JOB began to delve back into traditional acoustic styles. First with The Folk Bros (founded with Bruce Zeeuw and Steve Aldrich) – purveyors of hard-edged folk with a sense of humor; followed by Oxter/Mahone, a rotating party of “Celtic Roots, American Rhythms”; and continuing in the singer-songwriter duo Dublin Station (with Lauran Hardin) – that combined traditional Irish tunes with original songs that “leaned Celtic” – and sometimes adding beats and grooves.
Songwriter and finger-style guitarist Daniel Bracken plays music informed by his rich history as a recordist and producer for Public Media, and as a performer in the US and Ireland. In recent years, Dan has delved deeper into personal songcraft, a wholehearted mix expressing the crossroads of spirituality, wistfulness, and humor. His songs embrace many of the storytelling qualities of traditional Irish and American roots music.
- General admission – $25
- EVENTBRIGHT TICKETS
- SUNDAY afternoon – 3:00 PM
....compelling and singable choruses
Here’s what I love: all the sensory images you use that place me directly in the world of your songs and the compelling and singable choruses.
From a song
Big Blue Sky
© 2010 J. Oscar Bittinger
It’s a Big Blue Sky
Perfect Autumn day
Sun is high
Headed on our way
‘Neath a Big Blue Sky
Golden autumn day
Troubles blow out the window
Like leaves they fall away
‘Neath the Big Blue Sky
Hard to be alone
Easy to get lost
In our thoughts along this road
Neath a Big Blue Sky
Moving on or coming home
Love is still a mystery
The best I’ve ever known
INSTRUMENTAL
Yes it’s a Big Blue Sky
An old master might paint
Red, gold and brown
Reflected in the lake
Neath a Big Blue Sky
Before the daylight fades
Like geese on the horizon
Just might fly away
Into the Big Blue Sky (3x)
Edits: 2008: Oct | 2009: Jul 29, Oct 30, Nov 8,9 | 2011: Aug (removed bridge) | 2014: Jun 15, Oct 1, 5