Illinois Opry is a collection of ten original songs that span every possible human emotion. All songs are sung, and were written, by Bill McAlister, who also plays all of the guitar parts. A walking contradiction, he is from the southwest suburbs of Chicago, but has always loved a certain type of music: country in it's roots, but with a big city perspective; Fender Telecaster guitars, but with slightly over-driven tube amp sounds. After turning 50, he could no longer stand to listen to what passes for 'country' on the radio these days, so he did something about it: creating 'Illinois Opry.' Just like him, it's not always pretty, not always in time, and not always in tune, but the listener has no doubt who they are listening to. Cash and Waylon are his biggest influences, but throw in some Vern Gosdin, Earl Thomas Conley, Amazing Rhythm Aces, Rusty Wier, and Steve Young, and you come up with music that does not fold up neatly into any category. Some people in Nashville have already taken note and say that this CD does not fit in with today's country. Guess what, that is the point........................