MUSIC IN THE CAVE

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- In the 1970s and 1980s, Murphysboro Laundromat owner Gib Todd created a funky 53-acre wonderland on the cliffs surrounding a geological phenomenon called Shawnee Saltpetre Cave. "Welcome," a sign over the entry road still reads. "We've been waiting 1,000,000 years for you."

To the astounding natural beauty Todd added a lagoon and canal, brought in paddle boats, provided spots for primitive camping and began booking top musical acts. Located below Illinois Route 127, seven miles south of Murphysboro, the huge mouth of the cave forms a shelter over a stage musicians say is an acoustic dream.

Tanya Tucker, then only 16, was the first star to perform there. Many other acts followed, including the Steve Miller Band, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show and bluesman Muddy Waters. The biggest concert reportedly drew 8,000 people to the site.

Todd, now 90, closed the amphitheater 18 years ago, renting it out only for private parties. In January 2000, he sold the property to Bob "Cowboy" Goodale, who promoted concerts for him during his college days at SIU. Goodale, now a Centralia, Ill., ice cream mogul and owner of Goody's Ice Cream, intends to bring back the music and the people.

Saturday, big league music returns to the Shawnee Saltpetre Cave Amphitheatre when the David Nelson Band and the Brooklyn Cowboys perform along with Carbondale, Ill.,-based St. Stephens Blues. Nelson co-founded the New Riders of the Purple Sage and performed on three Grateful Dead albums. The Brooklyn Cowboys include Buddy Cage and Walter Egan, the latter the author of the hit "Magnet & Steel."

The Brooklyn Cowboys return Sunday for a country music and dancing concert that also will feature Diamonds & Stone and the Backwoods Band. Gates for that concert open at noon, with music at 1 p.m.

May 5, the Barefoot Love Festival will provide a mix of bluesy funk, hard rock, alternative rock and fusion featuring the bands Rebecca's Statue, Bliss, Paradox and MCPU.

About 2,000 members of the American Bikers Association are expected to attend this weekend's concerts.

These concerts are among 10 already booked through October. Jeff Armentout, one of the producers of the shows, tentatively has scheduled rock bad boy Ted Nugent for a concert the third weekend in June. Little Feat is scheduled for Oct. 5.

Joe Glasser, Goodale's property manager, helped found the Riverside Music Festival in Murphysboro. He says Todd sold the property to Goodale because he liked him from his college days. "He knew Goodale loved the natural beauty and didn't want to bastardize it into a Dollywood," Glasser said.

The cave is at the bottom of a 300-foot cliff. During World War II, saltpeter was mined here to make gunpowder used in the war effort.

When he began bringing in bands, Todd fashioned a dressing room in the cave, one that remains at the same cool temperature year-round. The room has a drum set and paintings on the wall from the art gallery Todd's wife, Olga, once owned in Murphysboro.

Todd also built a water fountain that falls beside the stage and can be turned off and on.

A walking trail winds through the hilly property. Todd added signs to point out such geographical points of interest as Chicken Foot Tree, Golf Club Tree and Little Bear Den.

Potable water is provided by a 1,000 gallon tank. The camping is primitive, but RVs are allowed on the upper field. There is an RV dump station.

A security force will patrol the property during concerts to keep people off the cliffs above the amphitheater. A 15-person van will shuttle people from the parking area to the concert site.

On Friday and Sunday nights when no concerts are scheduled, the Southern Illinois Country Kickers present a country and western dance party. Times are 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.

More information about the concert schedule is available at www.shawneecave.com.