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Remembering the Big Boss LadySteve Krakowon January 17, 2023 at 9:01 pm

Since 2004 Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) has used the Secret History of Chicago Music to shine a light on worthy artists with Chicago ties who’ve been forgotten, underrated, or never noticed in the first place.

“I’m the mother and the grandmother of the blues,” Johnnie Mae Dunson declared in a 2005 interview with the Chicago Tribune, and I won’t argue. “When I first started playing in Chicago, in the ’40s, people said ugly things about a woman who plays the blues,” she recalled. “They said, ‘She must not be a woman if she plays the drums.’ They’d call me names. If they hit on me and I wouldn’t respond, they said I must be a lesbian.”

There’s nobody else in music history quite like Dunson, a no-nonsense drummer and singer who also wrote hundreds upon hundreds of songs. Women aren’t just rare as blues drummers; they often get short shrift in the genre across the board. Chicago blues scholar Dick Shurman called Dunson “one of the few ‘gutbucket’ blues women,” and pianist Jon Weber, who’s played with her, described her as “a walking history book, a real important person who, unfortunately, has been somewhat neglected.” 

Dunson was a vivid, unvarnished talent, raw and prolific and utterly uncompromising. She deserves to be more widely remembered, and that’s what the Secret History of Chicago Music is all about. 

Dunson was born Johnnie Mae Hudson near Bessemer, Alabama, in 1921. At age two she contracted rheumatic fever, which weakened her heart. “I was a miracle child,” she told Neal Pollack for a 1998 Reader story. “I been living on death row all my life.” 

“When I was 10 years old, I heard the doctors tell my mama, ‘She won’t live to be 14 years old.’ So my mama got a group of people to come to our house and they prayed for me,” Dunson explained to the Tribune. “And I believe at that time God gifted me with the music I have because He knew I wouldn’t be able to do any other kind of work.” 

Dunson left school at age ten due to her heart condition. She’d been singing gospel as long as she could remember, but she also soaked up the blues of Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, and Ma Rainey, which her mother liked to play on the Victrola. As she grew stronger in her teens, her singing style evolved into something rougher and grimier. 

Dunson’s mother liked fresh spring water, and when Dunson and her sister went to fetch it, Dunson would thump on the washtub they were carrying. She’d give her sister half her lunch to let her do it. “In that way,” Dunson told Pollack, “I am a self-taught drummer.”

In 1943, encouraged by visiting churchwomen from the Windy City who’d heard her sing, Dunson moved to Chicago. Back in Alabama, she’d taught herself how to treat hair, and to make money she pressed her west-side kitchen into service as a salon. Within a year she was also hanging out at the famed market on Maxwell Street, performing however she could. She remembers taking over the drum kit of veteran bluesman Eddie “Porkchop” Hines. “He had this little set down there, and he looked so tired,” she told Pollack. “He said, ‘Girl, you gonna mess up my drums.’ Then I played, and he told me to never stop.” 

Dunson started a hard-gigging trio named after Globetrotters Lounge on the west side, which often played clubs along Madison Street. For nearly 30 years, she played steadily on the south and west sides, in any combo she could. She played in the band of guitarist and harmonica player Jimmy Reed, and they became friends—she wrote songs for him and even managed him for a spell. Her rough, powerful voice and fierce drumming made a big impression everywhere she went.

“She could hold her own with anybody—nobody gave Johnnie Mae a hard time,” harmonica ace Charlie Musselwhite told the Tribune. He crossed paths frequently with Dunson when he lived in Chicago in the 60s. “People just looked at her, and they would think, ‘This is somebody I’m not going to mess with.’”

Dunson was no less formidable as a songwriter. She was known for carrying around a massive notebook of her compositions, and in her late 70s she claimed she could still write 25 songs in a day if left alone to do it. She said she’d written “Evil” for Muddy Waters (no relation to the even more famous Howlin’ Wolf song), and though BMI lists Waters as its author, the blues business famously suffers from more than its share of attribution issues. The many songs she wrote for Reed over the years include “I Wanna Be Loved,” “I’m Going Upside Your Head,” and “Life Won’t Last Me Long.” 

Dunson’s own recordings from this era are much thinner on the ground, unfortunately. She put out a single on Checker Records in 1965, “You’re Going Out That Door,” which is now next to impossible to find. In 1972 she and Reed released a couple 45s as a duo for the short-lived Magic label. Within a year or so, though, Dunson had all but vanished from the scene, and by the time Reed died in 1976 she’d withdrawn from performance completely.

The music business had never provided Dunson with much of a living anyhow—she usually didn’t control her copyrights, and she didn’t get much in the way of royalties when other artists recorded her songs. In the 60s and 70s she made money buying buildings to fix up, sometimes working demolition jobs—she could take down an interior wall by herself with a sledgehammer. At some point after that she ran a Madison Street diner, but I can’t find any details.

In 1992 bluesman Jimmie Lee Robinson, who’d retired from his job as a security guard, tracked Dunson down. By then Dunson’s home was in dire condition, and her health had declined steeply. She’d been in a wheelchair since ’88, and she relied on other people to bring her groceries. At first she was distrustful of him—she was holding a grudge because she’d heard he’d insulted Jimmy Reed, and he had to persuade her she’d been misinformed. But eventually they became friends and began playing music together in her backyard. 

“Robinson would call Dunson in the evening, and she would talk on the phone to him until three in the morning, often falling asleep in mid-conversation,” Pollack wrote for the Reader in 1998. “Last December she started to walk again on her own. ‘She used to get mad at me and call me a devil,’ Robinson says. ‘But now she don’t call me a devil no more.’”

Johnnie Mae Dunson sings “Big Boss Lady” with Little Arthur Duncan in 1999.

Robinson was a member of the Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition, and Dunson wanted to contribute to the cause. In August 1998 she sang at a benefit for the coalition, part of a series of blues jams it had been holding in a vacant lot on one of the last patches of the old Maxwell Street to survive. 

Dunson’s ride canceled on her, and she arrived so late (having finally charmed a cabbie into driving her for free) that no one expected her to show. She arrived in black slacks and a black wig, carrying a gold sequined cane—but she hadn’t been able to get out to buy new shoes, so she was wearing house slippers. “As soon as she started singing, a lot of older black women started coming up to her and sticking dollar bills into her hand,” photographer and filmmaker James Fraher told Pollack for his Reader story. Fraher, also a member of the Maxwell Street coalition, had been making a documentary about Robinson. “She just knocked people out. It turned into a party on the street.”

Dunson later mentioned that the benefit jam was the first time she’d left her property in ten years. Her husband Andy Smith had died there in 1991, and she planned to do the same. Sadly, within weeks the city condemned her house and boarded it up with her things still inside—Pollack listed just some of them, including an antique icebox, a pump organ, two sets of drums, a Coca-Cola vending machine from the 1950s, and original copies of more than 600 of her songs. 

Fortunately Dunson was supported by her late husband’s military pension, and fellow blues vocalist Katherine Davis took her in temporarily. She’d seen Dunson at a second Maxwell Street benefit gig and started bringing her food and listening to her sing her songs, eventually offering her a room in her apartment.

At that point, in 1998, Davis had been singing blues professionally for about 16 years, but she told Pollack that she’d never heard of Dunson before that summer. “It was like, OK, Koko Taylor is of this period, and Dinah Washington . . . but who else in Chicago?” she said. “They said there was no one else, but I know the women migrated here from the south. I’ve been doing research. Who were the women singers? Why couldn’t I find her? When I heard her, I thought she was the mother of my time.”

Johnnie Mae Dunson’s first and only full-length album under her own name.

Dunson’s fortunes improved somewhat after her “rediscovery,” and in 2000 she finally released her first and only album under her own name, Big Boss Lady. Its title track, a response to Reed’s 1960 favorite “Big Boss Man,” was her signature tune. It also includes “Evil,” “I’m a Whole Lotta Woman” (a retort to Bo Diddley’s “I’m a Man”), “I’m Going Upside Your Head,” and more recent songs such as “Blue Sky Is My Blanket” and “Trouble Just Won’t Let Me Be.” Her son, blues guitarist Jimi “Prime Time” Smith, appears on the album, and so does Robinson. 

Dunson’s house wasn’t saved, and by the time of the 2005 Tribune story, she was living in a small apartment of her own on the north side. She made several appearances at the Chicago Blues Festival after the release of Big Boss Lady, but on October 4, 2007, she died at age 86 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital of complications from intestinal issues.

At her first Maxwell Street appearance in 1998, Pollack quoted her speaking from the stage. “I’m gonna holler loud,” Dunson said, delivering a boast that makes a fitting epitaph for a tough, fearless blueswoman who survived for decades in a scene made for men. “You see, I’m a she-wolf, and I prowl all night long. . . . Ain’t gonna hang my head and cry.”

The radio version of the Secret History of Chicago Music airs on Outside the Loop on WGN Radio 720 AM, Saturdays at 5 AM with host Mike Stephen. Past shows are archived here.

Forgotten Blues

Johnnie Mae Dunson may have lost her home and her fame, but she still has her voice and she knows how to use it.


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Remembering the Big Boss LadySteve Krakowon January 17, 2023 at 9:01 pm Read More »

Planned Parenthood of Illinois fire in Peoria investigated as arson

A fire at a central Illinois Planned Parenthood clinic is being investigated as arson, Peoria police said Tuesday, days after the state enacted sweeping abortion protections.

Officers responded to a report of an “unknown person throwing a Molotov cocktail” into the Peoria clinic building at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, police spokesperson Semone Roth said.

Peoria police and fire officials are investigating the blaze, and no suspects have been identified or arrests made, Roth said.

The incident occurred two days after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law reproductive health care legislation to protect out-of-state abortion seekers, adding Illinois to the list of states that have placed legal reinforcements around the procedure after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

No patients or staff were inside during the fire, but it caused “significant damage” to the building, said Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois.

The clinic is currently closed, and the organization is rescheduling patients who had appointments to other health care centers and offering transportation assistance to those who need it.

The Peoria Planned Parenthood location offered medication abortion but was not a site for in-clinic procedures, said Welch, who pledged to prosecute the perpetrator “to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The vast majority of our Peoria Health Center patients were coming to us for family planning, STI testing and treatment and other reproductive health care,” she said. “This act of vandalism will have a devastating impact on the community’s ability to access birth control, cancer screenings and gender-affirming care.”

Anti-abortion organization Illinois Right to Life executive director Mary Kate Zander condemned the incident, saying: “We would never condone violence against any Planned Parenthood or any other abortion clinic.

“The primary reason that we stand against abortion is that it’s an act of violence. So it would be hypocritical of us to not say the same in the case of an act of violence against abortion workers.”

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Planned Parenthood of Illinois fire in Peoria investigated as arson Read More »

Bears News: Kevin Warren made a great first impression on TuesdayVincent Pariseon January 17, 2023 at 9:29 pm

All of the most important people associated with the Chicago Bears were in attendance on Tuesday to welcome in the new Team President Kevin Warren. He is going to be the now-former Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. Now, he will be moving to this role in the NFL.

Warren has learned his trade well as his time that proceeded the Big Ten was spent with several NFL teams including the Minnesota Vikings who he helped build a new state-of-the-art stadium for them to play at. It sounds like doing the same is a top priority for the Bears now.

That is wonderful news for Bears fans. Soldier Field is hard to get to, hard to find parking once you do get there, and hard to use the bathroom or grab a drink mid-game. The team that helped invent the NFL deserves to give its fans a much better experience than what they are.

It is on Ryan Poles (the general manager) and his staff with Matt Eberflus (the head coach) to get the product on the field right. It is on Warren to help guide them while getting this team where it needs to be in other areas. Getting a new stadium is a great start.

The Chicago Bears introduced Kevin Warren on Tuesday afternoon.

Kevin Warren’s introductory press conference is underway@Hyundai #DaBears https://t.co/hrzuwgDZ5m

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 17, 2023

George McCaskey was the first to speak as he introduced Kevin Warren. He made some kind comments about him and his ability to lead this franchise. He also made it clear that he believes that “Papa Bear is smiling today”.

“Papa Bear is smiling today.” pic.twitter.com/bGBDi1bez5

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 17, 2023

The Chicago Bears drafted Justin Fields in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Of course, he is the most important player in the organization so naturally, he was asked about Fields and what he thinks of him.

You might remember when Kevin Warren tried to shut down the entire Big Ten season during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. His intentions were to protect the players and nobody can ever say anything bad about that.

However, Justin Fields led the committee of people to try and get the players on the field in a timely and safe manner. This led to politics getting involved and eventually they played enough games to qualify as a league eligible for the College Football Playoff.

Fields and Warren have seemed to develop a relationship from that time of their lives. There is a good amount of respect there between the two people. Now, they will try and be important pieces for this franchise as they work toward winnings championships.

Kevin Warren on @justnfields: “I have the greatest amount of respect for him.” pic.twitter.com/lL75C4LTau

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 17, 2023

It also seems as if Kevin Warren is confident in his new team led by himself. He believes that the Chicago Bears have the best fans in the world and they are going to deliver championships for them. It was awesome to hear the passion that he has for the whole thing.

Warren: “These are the best fans in the NFL. They deserve championships.” pic.twitter.com/yv0SeQ7FqJ

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 17, 2023

Warren: “Whatever you’re doing be passionate about it.” pic.twitter.com/WaELBqIFZL

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 17, 2023

Warren: “Greatness is ahead of us.” pic.twitter.com/rJ5SFAblZw

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 17, 2023

There is no doubt that Kevin Warren made a great first impression with his new team. They have a long way to go before they are good again but that is for Ryan Poles to worry about.

Between a plan to get a new stadium, a plan to rebuild the team, and some fresh new ideas that we’ve never seen from the Bears before, things are looking good right now. Hopefully, this all works out well.

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Bears News: Kevin Warren made a great first impression on TuesdayVincent Pariseon January 17, 2023 at 9:29 pm Read More »

Peoria police investigate fire at Illinois Planned Parenthood as arson

A fire at a central Illinois Planned Parenthood clinic is being investigated as arson, Peoria police said Tuesday, just days after the state enacted sweeping abortion protections.

Officers responded to a report of an “unknown person throwing a Molotov cocktail” into the Peoria clinic building at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, police spokesperson Semone Roth said.

Peoria police and fire officials are investigating the blaze, and no suspects have been identified or arrests made, Roth said.

The incident occurred two days after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law reproductive health care legislation to protect out-of-state abortion seekers, adding Illinois to the list of states that have placed legal reinforcements around the procedure after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

No patients or staff were inside during the fire, but it caused “significant damage” to the building, said Jennifer Welch, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois in a statement.

The clinic is currently closed, and the organization is rescheduling patients who had appointments to other health care centers, and offering transportation assistance to those who need it.

The Peoria Planned Parenthood location offered medication abortion but was not a site for in-clinic procedures, said Welch, who pledged to prosecute the perpetrator “to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The vast majority of our Peoria Health Center patients were coming to us for family planning, STI testing and treatment and other reproductive health care,” she said. “This act of vandalism will have a devastating impact on the community’s ability to access birth control, cancer screenings and gender-affirming care.”

Anti-abortion organization Illinois Right to Life executive director Mary Kate Zander condemned the incident, saying: “We would never condone violence against any Planned Parenthood or any other abortion clinic.”

She added: “The primary reason that we stand against abortion is that it’s an act of violence. So it would be hypocritical of us to not say the same in the case of an act of violence against abortion workers.”

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Peoria police investigate fire at Illinois Planned Parenthood as arson Read More »

New Bears president Kevin Warren targets Super Bowl, new stadium

The Bears introduced new president and CEO Kevin Warren on Tuesday, and he immediately took aim at winning the Super Bowl and building a world-class stadium.

“It’s because of the challenge, because of the opportunity,” Warren said. “We’re gonna build an incredible franchise. I came here to win championships.”

Warren said part of his plan to establish “an incredible culture” at Halas Hall is to meet with every employee one-on-one and get their input on how to lead the Bears to a championship.

As for the new stadium, he reiterated outgoing president Ted Phillips’ message that the Arlington Heights site is the organization’s sole focus and it is not considering any options in Chicago. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has advocated for a massive renovation of Soldier Field to keep the Bears in the city.

He declined to give a timetable on when the Arlington Heights stadium could be ready, but said he would have a clearer idea of that in about six months.

The Bears hired Warren as the fifth president in franchise history last week. He’s the team’s first Black president and first hired from outside the organization. He is expected to officially begin team business in April, but Warren said he is already at work learning the organization.

With Warren’s hiring, general manager Ryan Poles will now report to him rather than chairman George McCaskey.

Warren, 59, spent the last three years as commissioner of the Big Ten, but most of his experience in sports was in the NFL. He was an executive with the Vikings from 2005 through ’19, the Lions from 2001 through ’03 and the Rams from 1997 through 2000.

He was with the Lions when they opened Ford Field in 2002 and was COO of the Vikings when they opened U.S. Bank Stadium.

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White Sox Spring Training Schedule

White Sox Tickets and Schedule

Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. San Diego Padres 2/25/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago White Sox 2/26/2023 13:10 Tempe Diablo Stadium Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Seattle Mariners 2/27/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Chicago White Sox 2/28/2023 13:10 Salt River Fields Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians 3/1/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Colorado Rockies vs. Chicago White Sox 3/2/2023 13:10 Salt River Fields Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Cincinnati Reds 3/3/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers 3/4/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago White Sox 3/5/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Milwaukee Brewers 3/7/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox 3/8/2023 18:05 Surprise Stadium Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Team Colombia 3/9/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox 3/10/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: San Diego Padres vs. Chicago White Sox 3/11/2023 13:10 Peoria Stadium Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels 3/12/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Oakland Athletics 3/14/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago White Sox (SS) 3/15/2023 13:05 Scottsdale Stadium Spring Training: Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox 3/16/2023 13:05 Goodyear Ballpark Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs (SS) 3/17/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers 3/18/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago White Sox (SS) 3/19/2023 13:10 Peoria Stadium Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Arizona Diamondbacks 3/20/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago White Sox 3/21/2023 13:10 American Family Fields of Phoenix Spring Training: Texas Rangers vs. Chicago White Sox (SS) 3/22/2023 13:05 Surprise Stadium Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals (SS) 3/22/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. San Francisco Giants (SS) 3/23/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Oakland Athletics vs. Chicago White Sox (SS) 3/24/2023 13:05 Hohokam Park Spring Training: Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago White Sox 3/25/2023 18:05 Goodyear Ballpark Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Colorado Rockies (SS) 3/26/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox 3/27/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox 3/28/2023 12:05 Sloan Park

White Sox Spring Training Schedule Read More »

Cubs Spring Training Schedule 2023

Cubs Schedule and Tickets

Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants 2/25/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs 2/26/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Guardians (SS) 2/27/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Chicago Cubs (SS) 2/27/2023 13:10 Salt River Fields Spring Training: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs 2/28/2023 13:10 American Family Fields of Phoenix Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Seattle Mariners 3/1/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Oakland Athletics 3/2/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs 3/3/2023 18:40 Peoria Stadium Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Angels 3/4/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Colorado Rockies vs. Chicago Cubs 3/5/2023 13:10 Salt River Fields Spring Training: Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago Cubs 3/6/2023 13:10 Peoria Stadium Spring Training: Texas Rangers vs. Chicago Cubs 3/7/2023 13:05 Surprise Stadium Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Team Canada 3/8/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds 3/9/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox 3/10/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs (SS) 3/11/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers 3/12/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies 3/14/2023 18:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs 3/15/2023 18:05 Goodyear Ballpark Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks 3/16/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (SS) 3/17/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs (SS) 3/17/2023 13:05 Camelback Ranch Stadium Spring Training: San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs 3/18/2023 13:05 Scottsdale Stadium Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres 3/19/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago Cubs 3/21/2023 18:05 Surprise Stadium Spring Training: Oakland Athletics vs. Chicago Cubs 3/22/2023 13:05 Hohokam Park Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (SS) 3/23/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Texas Rangers (SS) 3/24/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago Cubs (SS) 3/24/2023 18:05 Goodyear Ballpark Spring Training: Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago Cubs 3/25/2023 13:10 Tempe Diablo Stadium Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals 3/26/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox 3/27/2023 13:05 Sloan Park Spring Training: Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox 3/28/2023 12:05 Sloan Park

Cubs Spring Training Schedule 2023 Read More »

The 13+ Best Adult Cam Sites of 2023

Adult cam sites are all the rage. There has never been a better time to interact with a live cam girl. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we all feel so isolated, and connecting with a live model is more satisfying than watching prerecorded videos.

These days, most adult actresses and models offer their services via virtual camming platforms. There are quite literally hundreds of thousands of cam girls you can video chat with, so how in the world do you choose? These cam sites deliver the goods in terms of adventurous women, seamless camming experiences, and sexual gratification. But each site is unique in its own special way. From private shows to free options and special performers, there is a lot to digest.

We’ve taken the time to break down which cam sites are best and why. Stick to this guide and you’ll certainly have the best cam experience possible.

The Best Adult Cam Sites of 2023

RankSiteBest For1.JerkmateBest modern cam website2.Sl*trouletteBest cam/chat hybrid3.ChaturbateBest overall cam site4.Flirt4FreeProfessional cam models5.ImLiveInnovative features6.Live Free FunBest sign up process7.MyFreeCamsBest free option8.Cherry.tvBest newcomer9.LiveJasminMost gorgeous models10.CamSodaBest for specific fetishes11.Cams.comTeledildonic features12.XcamsMost diverse cam models13.StreamateThousands of streams at any given time14.Lucky CrushRandom one-on-one cam shows15.StripchatBeautiful live stripteases16.BongacamsEasiest cam site to navigate17.BabestationBiggest UK cam site

1.  Jerkmate: Best modern new cam site

Jerkmate is a really unique cam site because it allows its users to filter the models they search for by personal preference. You can specify your preference in gender, kink, and even body type. It’s a matching system between viewers and cam girls, which makes it feel pretty special. Once you match with someone, you have the option of also becoming a cam model. You can stream a video of yourself watching the cam girl, which is pretty nice. Think of it as if Chatroulette, Tinder, and Chaturbate had a love child. Most people enjoy watching private cam shows because they are longing for a connection, sexual or otherwise. Jerkmate delivers that in spades.

Jerkmate also hires actual pornstars and professional cam girls to stream live. Going one-on-one with one of the pros is unlikely and really expensive. However, if you prefer your cam girl to be an actual pornstar, you can view their live shows with other users on the site. These women will expect you to give them tons of tokens if you want them to do anything specific, but this is pretty normal for camming websites.

Beyond the two unique and exciting options that Jerkmate provides, it’s also very easy to use. It’s got a modern feel to it and selecting a show to watch could not be easier. If you don’t love who you’ve been matched with, you can also browse the expansive list of categories that Jerkmate has to offer. Those categories range from BDSM to Sex Toys and everything in between. As far as pricing goes, it’s up to the model. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour watching one of the Jerkmate shows.

Pros:

Models can see you if you want
Intuitive search function
Advanced personalized features

Cons:

This is a pricey option

2. Sl*troulette:Best chat/cam combo

Sl*troulette may not have quite the reputation as Chaturbate, but it’s been around quite some time—since 2010, in fact. That means they’ve got more than ten years’ experience in the cam game. And they deliver.

Sl*troulette is the X-rated version of Chat Roulette. Like Chat Roulette, Slut Roulette randomly pairs you up with another videocam. There’s no pressure—if you’re not feeling it, you can just keep clicking.

Overall, Sl*troulette is a fun spin on traditional cam sites given the randomness innate to its design. This may or may not appeal to you personally, however.

There are two main downsides to Sl*troulette. One, the sign-up process feels spammy and can be annoying. Two, there are a lot of pop-up ads on Sl*troulette, often even covering the video of the cam performer you’re trying to watch. That can get frustrating, as you might imagine.

Pros:

Worldwide camgirls 
Hottest categories 
Great private shows 
Previews pictures/photos of camgirls

Cons:

Basic tipping features 
Need to tip to access full nudity show

3. Chaturbate:Number one cam site in the world

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Chaturbate. Not only is the name genius for a camgirl site, but Chaturbate has managed to stand the test of time. We can’t believe it’s been ten years since it was created back in 2011! It’s hailed as the best cam site available by millions of users because it has the most diverse and explicit portfolio of models who use the platform to stream.

When you get to the Chaturbate home page, you’ll be greeted with various thumbnails of women or scenes. That’s your sneak peek for what is to come when you actually click on one of these images. Immediately you’ll be launched into a wonderfully raunchy cam show completely free of charge. At first blush, it looks like most of these cam girls are doing solo shows, but once you take a deeper dive, you’ll find couples, threesomes, and other unique and interesting live shows to choose from. You can also search for shows by filtering by the huge list of categories or tags. Though busy looking, Chaturbate is very easy to navigate and explore with so many live feeds to watch for free.

You’re probably wondering if Chaturbate is completely free. The answer to that is both yes and no. While you can enter any live show for free, you are really walking into a teaser of sorts. The women on Chaturbate are trying to get you to eventually pay for a private show, which is what most people want anyway. We will admit though that the teasers are often very explicit and can usually get the job done before you even grab your wallet.

You likely will reach for your credit card though, because Chaturbate is famous for delivering satisfying one-on-one shows. They operate on a token system. As you spend more time watching the show, your tokens will begin to dwindle.

Pros:

Affordable
Best cam site available
Great one-on-one performances
You get a lot out of a free account

Cons:

Most models need to reach a certain token amount before they fully perform

Check out our complete Chaturbate review if you’re looking for more info.

4. Flirt4Free: Intuitive search function available

Boasting nearly 3 decades of sex cam savvy, Flirt4Free has really carved a niche for itself as the cam site for gentlemen of refined tastes. While some freemium sites might offer a grab bag of amateur models, F4F shines for fans who yearn for a premium, top-shelf experience.

Their homepage is populated by elite-level camgirls from all over the world who know how to cater to your every desire. They’re virtually all “hair and make-up ready” and dressed to kill in gorgeous lingerie. But while Flirt4Free boasts a premium experience, premium does not necessarily imply “vanilla.” Finding the fetish models to feed your kink is easy using an intuitive category filtering system.

The “Free” in Flirt4Free might seem like something of a misnomer at first glance. While there’s always something hot going down in any number of public chatrooms, the real spank-bank-worthy action is saved for pay-per-minute private shows. Judging from many of the model reviews, Flirt camgirls tend to appeal to fans who want to go deeper on their fantasies. The top models tend to be surrounded by devout followers who crave repeat performances.

But while pay-per-minute shows may seem be daunting cost-wise, many models offer cost conscious options like semi-private “multi-user” and “group shows.” Some even allow members to negotiate their private show rates before a performance.

Pros:

Premium quality cam girls
Great variety of fetish models
Easy to filter categories

Cons:

Can be pricey
Fewer models compared to freemium sites

5. ImLive: Old-school cam site with innovative features

ImLive is the granddaddy of cam sites. It’s been around for almost 20 years and has managed to continue to captivate viewers with the changing times. ImLive is a streaming site where models and couples perform sex shows for their audiences. There’s not much more to it. However, not all sex cam sites offer couples shows, so if you like watching two people get it on then ImLive is your best bet.

The pay structure at ImLive gives you options, which is a definite plus. You can either pay by the minute or send models tips. There are also plenty of models and shows to choose from, so you’ll never have a dull moment on this popular cam site.

From amateurs to professionals, members will find the girls online and ready for a great time 24/7, and purchasing credits (the site’s currency) is fast and easy.

ImLive has several innovative features, including share screen where members and the model can watch video or play an online game together.

Yes, ImLive dubs itself a free cam site, but we know what that really means. You can watch archived shows for free, but the live goods are going to cost you. The shows are usually worth it, but don’t expect a ton of interaction from the models. They tend to fall short in their personal relationships with viewers and fans; however, the shows themselves are a treat to watch.

Pros:

Great for watching couples
Different payment options
Free archived shows
Free amateur videos

Cons:

The models can be a little cagey at times

6.  Live Free Fun: Easy sign up

Live Free Fun calls itself “the secret guide to free live sex.” Let’s break that down a bit.If you’re willing to submit your email, then you can get a free account and start watching erotic webcams in no time. Since a lot of cam sites require memberships and/or paying the cammers through tips to get true X-rated content, Live Free Fun is a way to get good content for free.

The registration is straightforward, and you don’t have to worry about giving up sensitive information like a credit card. So, the benefits definitely seem to outweigh the risks.

This is a solid cam site with quality models.

Pros:

Free with email sign-up
Simple registration
Erotic webcams without having to tip

Cons:

Interface is a bit clunky

7.  MyFreeCams: Actual free shows

For those of you shopping for cam sites on a budget, there’s no better site for you than MyFreeCams, also known as Jerk N’ Cum. Yes, the shows on this site are actually free. This is obviously the biggest perk that MyFreeCams has to offer.

Because it’s free and the models don’t charge you to watch their shows, you might be skeptical of the quality but you truly have nothing to worry about. The women on MyFreeCams are as skilled as they are gorgeous. They are also down to get into some very kinky activity, which is why you’re watching cam girls in the first place!

The one thing that you can’t really access on this site is private chat or one-on-one video sessions. But what can you really expect from a cam site that doesn’t cost you a dime? You can of course purchase tokens on MyFreeCams and try your luck asking one of the models for a private show, but it’s not very likely to happen. These models are used to the dynamic of the site and aren’t normally willing to make an exception for anyone. These models also aren’t the most responsive to requests in their chat box. That’s potentially because it’s oversaturated with guys like you asking them to do a million different things. If you’re OK with just being a voyeur for free, MyFreeCams is a fantastic budget-friendly option for you.

If you decide that you’d like to pay for MyFreeCams because you can afford to or you’ve got extra cash lying around, you will be given the keys to their entire library of cam girl archives. You can check out their old videos. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but there are folks out there wholove it.

Pros:

Genuinely free
Fantastic performances

Cons:

Can’t view private shows

8.  Cherry.tv:Best new cam site

Cam sites such as Jerkmate and Chaturbate may have the lion’s share of attention, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of other sites popping up all the time. While many of these aren’t worth your trouble, some of them may turn out to be major competitors.

One such site is cherry.tv, from the people over at Cherry Models. The site has only recently gone live and is still in Beta mode, which means for now they only have cis-women and trans women cam girls. That said, the platform will be opened up to everyone in the next version. 

One cool thing about Cherry.tv is that it isn’t just another cam site like any other. They’re attempting to introduce more “gamification” to the concept, so cherry.tv allows models to “level up” by gaining experience points (xp). Streaming gets cammers XP as well as receiving certain gifts from fans. 

Cherry.tv won numerous awards in 2021, such as “Best Emerging Company” and “Emerging Web Brand of the Year.” They are also one of the best sites out there in terms of compensating streamers. So, if you want the vast majority of your hard-earned money to go to the actual cam model, then cherry.tv is a great option for you. 

Pros:

Relatively affordable
Fun, game-like interface
Streamers receive almost all of the tips

Cons:

In beta mode (no male models or couples)
Just started so not a ton of active models yet

9.  LiveJasmin: Known for having stunning models

The most noteworthy thing to say about LiveJasmin is that the women on this site are drop dead gorgeous. They are diverse, in shape, stunning, manicured, and all around perfect cam girls. You will notice this the minute you hop onto the home page. It looks extremely put together, modern, and professional.

These women don’t seem to be filming themselves from dimly lit bedrooms. Instead, it feels like a whole studio operation with professional porn stars. This is a pro for most, but some viewers enjoy that amateurish feel. If you are into the amateur stuff, then steer clear of LiveJasmin because it’s all top notch here. LiveJasmin is full of very recognizable and famous cam girl faces. That’s what makes it one of the best cam sites around.

Other than the beautiful stars and modern interface, there’s not much about LiveJasmin that makes it stand out (except for the fact that they have a nice mobile option, but who wants to watch a cam girl on their cell phone?). It’s set up like many other cam sites and takes you through the same process and the features are the same. A nice perk though is the fact that LiveJasmin caters to every type of gender and sexuality, giving it a distinctly diverse library of models and streams to choose from.

Pros:

Beautiful recognizable models
Mobile option
Range of genders, sexualities, and kinks

Cons:

No amateur option

10.  CamSoda: Cam girls with the best personalities

CamSoda operates like most cam sites do. There are free rooms that you can enter to view live adult cam shows, but if you want the women to do anything specific during the show, you will need to spend. However, CamSoda is really affordable. This is because the models don’t charge you per minute. It’s based solely on your donations.

The one drawback to CamSoda is their pricing structure. Most cam sites will allow you to enter free cam shows, but not before informing you of what you should tip the model or what each naughty activity costs. Getting a girl to perform a desired sexual act is going to require linking up with the other guys in the chat and pooling that money until the model’s “goal” is reached. Each model comes up with a different money goal per show and tries to seduce the viewers into paying up. You can’t blame them; camming is their job.

Private shows aren’t really a thing on CamSoda. However, the models on this cam site are very interactive. They actually pay a lot of attention to the chat as their show is live and they make you feel like you are actually in the room with them while they are performing. People have complained before that some models on CamSoda talk too much or spend too much time replying to their fans.

Pros:

Interactive models with personality
Caters to a variety of fetishes

Cons:

The models don’t list their prices per naughty activity

11.  Cams.com: Cam site with a teledildonics option

Cams.com is one of the more unique and advanced cam sites on this list. You might not know it by just visiting their website because initially, it looks like your average cam site. There are free shows that you can enter and you have the ability to filter by model, body type, and gender. This is one of the few sex cam sites that contains female shows in addition to male shows, trans shows, and nonbinary shows. We find that to be a huge plus as it caters to a much wider audience of viewers.

Cams.com is not only ahead of the game in terms of their diversity, but they are also very technologically advanced. If you are someone who watches a lot of VR porn, you are familiar with the term teledildonics. In VR, teledildonics are bluetooth sex toys that synch up to what you are watching. For the purposes of cams, it allows you to control the sex toy that the performer is using, which is insanely cool and futuristic! It brings an entirely new level to cam shows and makes you feel like you are intimately interacting with a model right there in the room with them.

This cam site is one where you have to pay by the minute, which can get really pricey if you plan on spending a lot of time on the site. Yes, there are free shows, but they aren’t all that good. It’s worth checking out the paid ones though because of all the unique features.

Pros:

Teledildonics!
Advanced search function
Diverse models

Cons:

If you aren’t in it for the teledildonics, there are better options

12.  XCams: Diverse Euro models

XCams is a special cam site for folks who have eyes for European cam models. They flourish on XCams, though it’s a lesser-known site than the rest. It’s surprising that it flies under the radar because there are always so many models available at any given time for anyone to watch.

Diversity is the name of the game over at XCams. While they feature tons of Europeans, these models are really diverse in their backgrounds, performance styles, and kinks that they love to get into. It’s fun to browse through the thumbnails of videos on the XCams homepage because you get a peek at all the unique shows they have to offer.

Each model decides what you’ll pay for a show. Before you commit, you’ll be shown a preview, told where the model is from, and told how many credits you’ll need to pay for your time. You will get 25 free credits just for signing up, which will give you about five minutes on average.

Pros:

Beautiful diverse cam girls
Very kinky
Great previews for private shows

Cons:

Models operate on an expensive price-per-minute structure
Small amount of free credits when you sign up

13.  Streamate: Most options

If you’re after quantity, Streammate is a good option. There are literally thousands of models online at any given time when you head over to the site. It doesn’t matter if it’s during your 12 PM lunch break or after midnight, this site is always busy. It’s the cam site that never sleeps.

The Streamate performers also love to please. Truthfully, it’s because they want to be tipped well, but you can rest assured that any model you watch on Streamate will work very hard to earn your affection. They are very engaging, personable, and (of course) sexy.

Streamate is a no-frills site that takes you straight to the action. It doesn’t need all the bells and whistles because it provides a large amount of really great shows. You can use their simple and intuitive search function to filter your options, making Streamate one of the easiest sex cam sites to navigate. And their filtering options get really specific, so you can find exactly what turns you on. There is also a “Newcomer” section for the viewers who love to watch fresh talent or want to discover new models.

Pros:

Thousands of models to choose from
Amateurs and professionals available

Cons:

This site has a lot of annoying ads
Outdated web design

14.  LuckyCrush: A combo of a cam site and Chatroulette

LuckyCrush is a cam girl site that randomly matches you with flirty ladies. It’s newer, but it has managed to attract millions of users on a monthly basis. People like to say that LuckyCrush is a healthy mix of a cam site and a random chat site like Chatroulette. It’s probably what you wished Chatroulette could be when you were too young to know about cam sites. Men and women are randomly paired for an erotic video chat.

LuckyCrush is confident in its unique model, which is why it offers first-time male visitors a brief free trial. After that, you will need to purchase credits to enjoy the site. Women come to LuckyCrush hoping to make money, so stocking up a little bit will do you some good.

Because LuckyCrush is totally random, you might be paired up with a hottie who is on the other side of the world. Don’t worry if you don’t speak her language. LuckyCrush has a built-in translation feature that makes it easy to communicate with models from all over the world. It’s an exciting approach to cam shows.

Pros:

Personally meet models from all over the world
Exclusively private shows

Cons:

You can’t filter or search
Not for everyone

15.  StripChat: Interactive stripteases

StripChat is a cam site with some special perks. On the surface, it’s a way to view beautiful live stripteases performed by stunning models. Some of them just like to strip and others take it up a notch by displaying naughty activities. In that regard, it’s a little different from your average sex cam site. You can check out the videos for free and tip the models, like you normally would. These tips are given in the form of tokens, which you will need to purchase beforehand.

The women on StripChat are not amateurs. They are women who seem to fit right into the porn industry. They really know what they are doing and they are fantastic at putting on a show for an audience. This is also a site that sadly caters exclusively to the male gaze. In other words, there isn’t any real gender diversity unless you head over to their couples section. However, everything, including the lesbian scenes, seems to be shot exclusively for purely heterosexual males.

What separates StripChat from the crowd is their VR feature. Now, if you don’t have a pair of VR goggles, you are going to want to stop reading because this next part is going to make you really jealous. StripChat’s VR function allows you to throw on a headset and opt in for a private show from one of their pretty performers. It takes live interaction to new heights and is a deeply satisfying cam experience. The videos are in HD, so you won’t miss a thing!

Pros:

HD stripteases
VR features
Professional cam girls

Cons:

Sometimes, you only get a striptease

16.  BongaCams: Affordable, transparent

On the surface, BongaCams likes to pretend that it’s a free cam site full of women, couples, and trans people. If you’ve made it this far in reading cam reviews, you won’t be surprised to learn that every site is going to squeeze some coin out of you at some point. That’s just how these things work. But BongaCams isn’t going to suck you dry by charging per minute. Their models make a living based on their tips, and you are going to eventually want to tip them through the token payment structure.

The good thing about the BongaCams pricing setup is that there are really no surprises. When you enter a free live show, you are shown a list of the models prices per a given activity. For instance, erotic play between two beautiful lesbian models might cost you 100 tokens. You’ll be informed of everything up front, which helps you figure out which shows are worth watching based on your personal preference and what you can afford. You can also try your luck at jumping into a show and mooching off the other viewers who will send tips, but it might test your patience.

BongaCams delivers incredible shows but doesn’t provide many private show options. In the end, BongaCams is a pretty predictable cam site with a token system and great performers. You’ll find a lot of new girls on this site too, because it’s very welcoming to girls who want to get into camming for the first time.

Pros:

Very transparent about price
Great site design

Cons:

Not great for private shows

17.  BabeStation: Huge UK cam site

BabeStation has been around for nearly two decades and is the biggest cam site for UK models. Of all the cam sites, BabeStation is not one that you want to breeze past because it has a lot to offer.

Most sites that have been around for as long as BabeStation have pretty much nailed the cam girl experience. This will become clear to you immediately upon visiting the site. Rather than staring at a bunch of thumbnails, you’ll be plopped into a live show right away. You can of course exit and search for a show that’s a bit more your flavor, but it’s nice to know that you can freely view HD cam shows from the jump.

One thing that BabeStation is missing is an easy way for new visitors to browse and filter. Most of the models are great, but this site isn’t designed to cater to unique fetishes because it’s hard to navigate. Some of the performers are also a little dry. They will sometimes just keep their camera on while they go about mundane tasks, which is more of a voyeuristic experience than an interactive cam show.

BabeStation does offer a ton of promotions at any given time, making it feel very affordable when you decide that you do want to tip a model.

Pros:

Biggest UK cam site
Can actually watch shows for free

Cons:

Not an easy site to navigate
Some performers lack engagement or personality

How to Have the Best Adult Cam Site Experience

If you’re brand new to cam sites, you might feel a bit lost. There are a lot of them, and they’re not all worth your time. Check out the following four tips to ensure that you end up on the best sites and have a great experience. 

Browse before you buy

Do you buy a car without test driving it? Do you buy a house without seeing it first? When it comes to spending your hard-earned money, it’s always good to avoid wasting it. And a good way to throw away your money is to start spending a ton of it on cam sites.

Your best bet is to browse around some of the top cam sites before you sign up for any subscriptions, premium memberships, etc. Many cam sites can even be browsed for free—even the biggest one, Chaturbate. So, it’s recommended to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the various sites out there before spending any cash. 

Privilege quality over quantity

There are some sites with thousands of cam models who are active at any given time. Yet, all those choices may be overwhelming, and it might feel like finding a needle in a haystack to find something of high quality. So, you might be better off finding a site with fewer models but with a higher percentage of fun and engaged and attractive ones.

That said, the biggest cam sites like Chaturbate give you different filtering options and the default is to show you the cammers with the largest number of viewers. This generally means that you can find high quality content without having to look too far. 

Stick to the big names

Camming has exploded in recent years. As you might expect, there’s been a lot of people trying to get a slice of the pie. Tons of cam sites have popped up, and not all of them are created equal—in fact, it’s not even close.

To avoid getting scammed and wasting your money and/or time, stick to the biggest names in the camming world—sites like Chaturbate and MyFreeCams, for example. 

Participate to maximize the experience

Cam sites are all about participation. This is what inherently separates them from regular porn sites. If no one participated—neither chatting nor giving any tips—the cam site wouldn’t exist. The models depend on tips for it to be worth their while, and the chatting helps keep things fun and engaging. 

So, don’t be shy to participate. You might find that it really enhances your overall experience, especially if you tip to get into private shows. Otherwise, you might as well just stick to regular porn. 

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The Empty Bottle makes room at the top

Last week, the Empty Bottle’s head of marketing and promotions, Matt Ciarleglio, announced he’d become a managing partner of the venue—and thus its co-owner, alongside founder Bruce Finkelman. In late August, Finkelman pitched the idea to Ciarleglio out of the blue, and the following month Ciarleglio signed the papers. He decided to wait to go public about the deal, though, because he’s been so busy learning the ropes. “Managing partner—it’s never been done here before, but [Finkelman] has replicated it at some of the other 16 on Center properties. And he has a better idea of how the flow goes and is helping guide me,” Ciarleglio says. “I’m still the marketing and promotions person. We have a pretty small team of people—it’s not really changing that much other than, like, giving me the precedence and ability to make changes and help guide the Bottle in the foreseeable future.” 

The Bottle recently hired Cameron Chapleau—cofounder of local label and mix series Beloved, which just launched an Internet radio station—to work as a marketing and talent-buying assistant. This will free up Ciarleglio to focus on larger projects, such as providing more support for Bottle staffers. That task is especially critical in light of the financial and emotional pressures of the pandemic. “Something that I want to really start doing more is being present for our hourly staff and trying to get them into better positions, to make working at the Bottle as good for them as possible,” Ciarleglio says. “And obviously, one thing that would be great to see more of is inclusivity—in the workplace, in general, as well as with shows. That’s something I’m really stoked that [Bottle talent buyer] Molly [Mobley] is doing. Of course, it’s been that way in the past, but I feel like she’s really crushing it in that sense, by bringing in tons of different types of music from all over the world.”

Since Ciarleglio shared his news last week, he’s gotten a lot of congratulations from people in the scene. “I guess one thing I am surprised at is how few people have asked me to get on the guest list in the last 48 hours,” he says. “I think only four people have, which is great.”

Gossip Wolf considers Eliza Weber and Josh Condon of local choogle-rock group Glyders to be straws that stir the drink of Chicago’s indie-rock scene. They also play together in country-rock band Tobacco City, and they’ve got their own pursuits too: Condon maintains a hypnotic solo psych project called SPVD, and Weber makes gorgeous concert posters for herself and fellow musicians. Glyders have released a handful of EPs and singles since forming in 2014, and on Friday, January 20, they’re finally dropping their debut full-length, Maria’s Hunt, via Drag City subsidiary Country Thyme. It’s full of loping, desert-tinged road-trip rock that would make the perfect soundtrack to a chilled-out biker movie! (Think Easy Rider with less violent death and more slow zooms on plant and animal life.) Glyders also have a new drummer, Joe Seger of CB Radio Gorgeous, and the band will celebrate the album’s arrival with a show at the Empty Bottle that same night.

Glyders release Maria’s Hunt at the end of this week.

Local pop artist Liska describes her music as “Gwen Stefani meets Magdalena Bay with an obvious Chicago indie rock sway,” which certainly covers a lot of bases. But to this wolf her punky, riff-packed jams also call back to awesomely attitudinal 80s MTV divas like Pat Benatar and Toni Basil. On Wednesday, February 1, Liska celebrates her self-released 2022 EP Le Boom with a show at Schubas that includes openers Mila La Morena and Maddi Jones.

“Liska” is the performing name of singer and songwriter Annelise Steele.

Got a tip? Tweet @Gossip_Wolf or email [email protected].


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The 13+ Best Adult Cam Sites of 2023Corvelay Mediaon January 17, 2023 at 7:09 am

Adult cam sites are all the rage. There has never been a better time to interact with a live cam girl. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we all feel so isolated, and connecting with a live model is more satisfying than watching prerecorded videos.

These days, most adult actresses and models offer their services via virtual camming platforms. There are quite literally hundreds of thousands of cam girls you can video chat with, so how in the world do you choose? These cam sites deliver the goods in terms of adventurous women, seamless camming experiences, and sexual gratification. But each site is unique in its own special way. From private shows to free options and special performers, there is a lot to digest.

We’ve taken the time to break down which cam sites are best and why. Stick to this guide and you’ll certainly have the best cam experience possible.

The Best Adult Cam Sites of 2023

RankSiteBest For1.JerkmateBest modern cam website2.Sl*trouletteBest cam/chat hybrid3.ChaturbateBest overall cam site4.Flirt4FreeProfessional cam models5.ImLiveInnovative features6.Live Free FunBest sign up process7.MyFreeCamsBest free option8.Cherry.tvBest newcomer9.LiveJasminMost gorgeous models10.CamSodaBest for specific fetishes11.Cams.comTeledildonic features12.XcamsMost diverse cam models13.StreamateThousands of streams at any given time14.Lucky CrushRandom one-on-one cam shows15.StripchatBeautiful live stripteases16.BongacamsEasiest cam site to navigate17.BabestationBiggest UK cam site

1.  Jerkmate: Best modern new cam site

Jerkmate is a really unique cam site because it allows its users to filter the models they search for by personal preference. You can specify your preference in gender, kink, and even body type. It’s a matching system between viewers and cam girls, which makes it feel pretty special. Once you match with someone, you have the option of also becoming a cam model. You can stream a video of yourself watching the cam girl, which is pretty nice. Think of it as if Chatroulette, Tinder, and Chaturbate had a love child. Most people enjoy watching private cam shows because they are longing for a connection, sexual or otherwise. Jerkmate delivers that in spades.

Jerkmate also hires actual pornstars and professional cam girls to stream live. Going one-on-one with one of the pros is unlikely and really expensive. However, if you prefer your cam girl to be an actual pornstar, you can view their live shows with other users on the site. These women will expect you to give them tons of tokens if you want them to do anything specific, but this is pretty normal for camming websites.

Beyond the two unique and exciting options that Jerkmate provides, it’s also very easy to use. It’s got a modern feel to it and selecting a show to watch could not be easier. If you don’t love who you’ve been matched with, you can also browse the expansive list of categories that Jerkmate has to offer. Those categories range from BDSM to Sex Toys and everything in between. As far as pricing goes, it’s up to the model. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour watching one of the Jerkmate shows.

Pros:

Models can see you if you want
Intuitive search function
Advanced personalized features

Cons:

This is a pricey option

2. Sl*troulette:Best chat/cam combo

Sl*troulette may not have quite the reputation as Chaturbate, but it’s been around quite some time—since 2010, in fact. That means they’ve got more than ten years’ experience in the cam game. And they deliver.

Sl*troulette is the X-rated version of Chat Roulette. Like Chat Roulette, Slut Roulette randomly pairs you up with another videocam. There’s no pressure—if you’re not feeling it, you can just keep clicking.

Overall, Sl*troulette is a fun spin on traditional cam sites given the randomness innate to its design. This may or may not appeal to you personally, however.

There are two main downsides to Sl*troulette. One, the sign-up process feels spammy and can be annoying. Two, there are a lot of pop-up ads on Sl*troulette, often even covering the video of the cam performer you’re trying to watch. That can get frustrating, as you might imagine.

Pros:

Worldwide camgirls 
Hottest categories 
Great private shows 
Previews pictures/photos of camgirls

Cons:

Basic tipping features 
Need to tip to access full nudity show

3. Chaturbate:Number one cam site in the world

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Chaturbate. Not only is the name genius for a camgirl site, but Chaturbate has managed to stand the test of time. We can’t believe it’s been ten years since it was created back in 2011! It’s hailed as the best cam site available by millions of users because it has the most diverse and explicit portfolio of models who use the platform to stream.

When you get to the Chaturbate home page, you’ll be greeted with various thumbnails of women or scenes. That’s your sneak peek for what is to come when you actually click on one of these images. Immediately you’ll be launched into a wonderfully raunchy cam show completely free of charge. At first blush, it looks like most of these cam girls are doing solo shows, but once you take a deeper dive, you’ll find couples, threesomes, and other unique and interesting live shows to choose from. You can also search for shows by filtering by the huge list of categories or tags. Though busy looking, Chaturbate is very easy to navigate and explore with so many live feeds to watch for free.

You’re probably wondering if Chaturbate is completely free. The answer to that is both yes and no. While you can enter any live show for free, you are really walking into a teaser of sorts. The women on Chaturbate are trying to get you to eventually pay for a private show, which is what most people want anyway. We will admit though that the teasers are often very explicit and can usually get the job done before you even grab your wallet.

You likely will reach for your credit card though, because Chaturbate is famous for delivering satisfying one-on-one shows. They operate on a token system. As you spend more time watching the show, your tokens will begin to dwindle.

Pros:

Affordable
Best cam site available
Great one-on-one performances
You get a lot out of a free account

Cons:

Most models need to reach a certain token amount before they fully perform

Check out our complete Chaturbate review if you’re looking for more info.

4. Flirt4Free: Intuitive search function available

Boasting nearly 3 decades of sex cam savvy, Flirt4Free has really carved a niche for itself as the cam site for gentlemen of refined tastes. While some freemium sites might offer a grab bag of amateur models, F4F shines for fans who yearn for a premium, top-shelf experience.

Their homepage is populated by elite-level camgirls from all over the world who know how to cater to your every desire. They’re virtually all “hair and make-up ready” and dressed to kill in gorgeous lingerie. But while Flirt4Free boasts a premium experience, premium does not necessarily imply “vanilla.” Finding the fetish models to feed your kink is easy using an intuitive category filtering system.

The “Free” in Flirt4Free might seem like something of a misnomer at first glance. While there’s always something hot going down in any number of public chatrooms, the real spank-bank-worthy action is saved for pay-per-minute private shows. Judging from many of the model reviews, Flirt camgirls tend to appeal to fans who want to go deeper on their fantasies. The top models tend to be surrounded by devout followers who crave repeat performances.

But while pay-per-minute shows may seem be daunting cost-wise, many models offer cost conscious options like semi-private “multi-user” and “group shows.” Some even allow members to negotiate their private show rates before a performance.

Pros:

Premium quality cam girls
Great variety of fetish models
Easy to filter categories

Cons:

Can be pricey
Fewer models compared to freemium sites

5. ImLive: Old-school cam site with innovative features

ImLive is the granddaddy of cam sites. It’s been around for almost 20 years and has managed to continue to captivate viewers with the changing times. ImLive is a streaming site where models and couples perform sex shows for their audiences. There’s not much more to it. However, not all sex cam sites offer couples shows, so if you like watching two people get it on then ImLive is your best bet.

The pay structure at ImLive gives you options, which is a definite plus. You can either pay by the minute or send models tips. There are also plenty of models and shows to choose from, so you’ll never have a dull moment on this popular cam site.

From amateurs to professionals, members will find the girls online and ready for a great time 24/7, and purchasing credits (the site’s currency) is fast and easy.

ImLive has several innovative features, including share screen where members and the model can watch video or play an online game together.

Yes, ImLive dubs itself a free cam site, but we know what that really means. You can watch archived shows for free, but the live goods are going to cost you. The shows are usually worth it, but don’t expect a ton of interaction from the models. They tend to fall short in their personal relationships with viewers and fans; however, the shows themselves are a treat to watch.

Pros:

Great for watching couples
Different payment options
Free archived shows
Free amateur videos

Cons:

The models can be a little cagey at times

6.  Live Free Fun: Easy sign up

Live Free Fun calls itself “the secret guide to free live sex.” Let’s break that down a bit.If you’re willing to submit your email, then you can get a free account and start watching erotic webcams in no time. Since a lot of cam sites require memberships and/or paying the cammers through tips to get true X-rated content, Live Free Fun is a way to get good content for free.

The registration is straightforward, and you don’t have to worry about giving up sensitive information like a credit card. So, the benefits definitely seem to outweigh the risks.

This is a solid cam site with quality models.

Pros:

Free with email sign-up
Simple registration
Erotic webcams without having to tip

Cons:

Interface is a bit clunky

7.  MyFreeCams: Actual free shows

For those of you shopping for cam sites on a budget, there’s no better site for you than MyFreeCams, also known as Jerk N’ Cum. Yes, the shows on this site are actually free. This is obviously the biggest perk that MyFreeCams has to offer.

Because it’s free and the models don’t charge you to watch their shows, you might be skeptical of the quality but you truly have nothing to worry about. The women on MyFreeCams are as skilled as they are gorgeous. They are also down to get into some very kinky activity, which is why you’re watching cam girls in the first place!

The one thing that you can’t really access on this site is private chat or one-on-one video sessions. But what can you really expect from a cam site that doesn’t cost you a dime? You can of course purchase tokens on MyFreeCams and try your luck asking one of the models for a private show, but it’s not very likely to happen. These models are used to the dynamic of the site and aren’t normally willing to make an exception for anyone. These models also aren’t the most responsive to requests in their chat box. That’s potentially because it’s oversaturated with guys like you asking them to do a million different things. If you’re OK with just being a voyeur for free, MyFreeCams is a fantastic budget-friendly option for you.

If you decide that you’d like to pay for MyFreeCams because you can afford to or you’ve got extra cash lying around, you will be given the keys to their entire library of cam girl archives. You can check out their old videos. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but there are folks out there wholove it.

Pros:

Genuinely free
Fantastic performances

Cons:

Can’t view private shows

8.  Cherry.tv:Best new cam site

Cam sites such as Jerkmate and Chaturbate may have the lion’s share of attention, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of other sites popping up all the time. While many of these aren’t worth your trouble, some of them may turn out to be major competitors.

One such site is cherry.tv, from the people over at Cherry Models. The site has only recently gone live and is still in Beta mode, which means for now they only have cis-women and trans women cam girls. That said, the platform will be opened up to everyone in the next version. 

One cool thing about Cherry.tv is that it isn’t just another cam site like any other. They’re attempting to introduce more “gamification” to the concept, so cherry.tv allows models to “level up” by gaining experience points (xp). Streaming gets cammers XP as well as receiving certain gifts from fans. 

Cherry.tv won numerous awards in 2021, such as “Best Emerging Company” and “Emerging Web Brand of the Year.” They are also one of the best sites out there in terms of compensating streamers. So, if you want the vast majority of your hard-earned money to go to the actual cam model, then cherry.tv is a great option for you. 

Pros:

Relatively affordable
Fun, game-like interface
Streamers receive almost all of the tips

Cons:

In beta mode (no male models or couples)
Just started so not a ton of active models yet

9.  LiveJasmin: Known for having stunning models

The most noteworthy thing to say about LiveJasmin is that the women on this site are drop dead gorgeous. They are diverse, in shape, stunning, manicured, and all around perfect cam girls. You will notice this the minute you hop onto the home page. It looks extremely put together, modern, and professional.

These women don’t seem to be filming themselves from dimly lit bedrooms. Instead, it feels like a whole studio operation with professional porn stars. This is a pro for most, but some viewers enjoy that amateurish feel. If you are into the amateur stuff, then steer clear of LiveJasmin because it’s all top notch here. LiveJasmin is full of very recognizable and famous cam girl faces. That’s what makes it one of the best cam sites around.

Other than the beautiful stars and modern interface, there’s not much about LiveJasmin that makes it stand out (except for the fact that they have a nice mobile option, but who wants to watch a cam girl on their cell phone?). It’s set up like many other cam sites and takes you through the same process and the features are the same. A nice perk though is the fact that LiveJasmin caters to every type of gender and sexuality, giving it a distinctly diverse library of models and streams to choose from.

Pros:

Beautiful recognizable models
Mobile option
Range of genders, sexualities, and kinks

Cons:

No amateur option

10.  CamSoda: Cam girls with the best personalities

CamSoda operates like most cam sites do. There are free rooms that you can enter to view live adult cam shows, but if you want the women to do anything specific during the show, you will need to spend. However, CamSoda is really affordable. This is because the models don’t charge you per minute. It’s based solely on your donations.

The one drawback to CamSoda is their pricing structure. Most cam sites will allow you to enter free cam shows, but not before informing you of what you should tip the model or what each naughty activity costs. Getting a girl to perform a desired sexual act is going to require linking up with the other guys in the chat and pooling that money until the model’s “goal” is reached. Each model comes up with a different money goal per show and tries to seduce the viewers into paying up. You can’t blame them; camming is their job.

Private shows aren’t really a thing on CamSoda. However, the models on this cam site are very interactive. They actually pay a lot of attention to the chat as their show is live and they make you feel like you are actually in the room with them while they are performing. People have complained before that some models on CamSoda talk too much or spend too much time replying to their fans.

Pros:

Interactive models with personality
Caters to a variety of fetishes

Cons:

The models don’t list their prices per naughty activity

11.  Cams.com: Cam site with a teledildonics option

Cams.com is one of the more unique and advanced cam sites on this list. You might not know it by just visiting their website because initially, it looks like your average cam site. There are free shows that you can enter and you have the ability to filter by model, body type, and gender. This is one of the few sex cam sites that contains female shows in addition to male shows, trans shows, and nonbinary shows. We find that to be a huge plus as it caters to a much wider audience of viewers.

Cams.com is not only ahead of the game in terms of their diversity, but they are also very technologically advanced. If you are someone who watches a lot of VR porn, you are familiar with the term teledildonics. In VR, teledildonics are bluetooth sex toys that synch up to what you are watching. For the purposes of cams, it allows you to control the sex toy that the performer is using, which is insanely cool and futuristic! It brings an entirely new level to cam shows and makes you feel like you are intimately interacting with a model right there in the room with them.

This cam site is one where you have to pay by the minute, which can get really pricey if you plan on spending a lot of time on the site. Yes, there are free shows, but they aren’t all that good. It’s worth checking out the paid ones though because of all the unique features.

Pros:

Teledildonics!
Advanced search function
Diverse models

Cons:

If you aren’t in it for the teledildonics, there are better options

12.  XCams: Diverse Euro models

XCams is a special cam site for folks who have eyes for European cam models. They flourish on XCams, though it’s a lesser-known site than the rest. It’s surprising that it flies under the radar because there are always so many models available at any given time for anyone to watch.

Diversity is the name of the game over at XCams. While they feature tons of Europeans, these models are really diverse in their backgrounds, performance styles, and kinks that they love to get into. It’s fun to browse through the thumbnails of videos on the XCams homepage because you get a peek at all the unique shows they have to offer.

Each model decides what you’ll pay for a show. Before you commit, you’ll be shown a preview, told where the model is from, and told how many credits you’ll need to pay for your time. You will get 25 free credits just for signing up, which will give you about five minutes on average.

Pros:

Beautiful diverse cam girls
Very kinky
Great previews for private shows

Cons:

Models operate on an expensive price-per-minute structure
Small amount of free credits when you sign up

13.  Streamate: Most options

If you’re after quantity, Streammate is a good option. There are literally thousands of models online at any given time when you head over to the site. It doesn’t matter if it’s during your 12 PM lunch break or after midnight, this site is always busy. It’s the cam site that never sleeps.

The Streamate performers also love to please. Truthfully, it’s because they want to be tipped well, but you can rest assured that any model you watch on Streamate will work very hard to earn your affection. They are very engaging, personable, and (of course) sexy.

Streamate is a no-frills site that takes you straight to the action. It doesn’t need all the bells and whistles because it provides a large amount of really great shows. You can use their simple and intuitive search function to filter your options, making Streamate one of the easiest sex cam sites to navigate. And their filtering options get really specific, so you can find exactly what turns you on. There is also a “Newcomer” section for the viewers who love to watch fresh talent or want to discover new models.

Pros:

Thousands of models to choose from
Amateurs and professionals available

Cons:

This site has a lot of annoying ads
Outdated web design

14.  LuckyCrush: A combo of a cam site and Chatroulette

LuckyCrush is a cam girl site that randomly matches you with flirty ladies. It’s newer, but it has managed to attract millions of users on a monthly basis. People like to say that LuckyCrush is a healthy mix of a cam site and a random chat site like Chatroulette. It’s probably what you wished Chatroulette could be when you were too young to know about cam sites. Men and women are randomly paired for an erotic video chat.

LuckyCrush is confident in its unique model, which is why it offers first-time male visitors a brief free trial. After that, you will need to purchase credits to enjoy the site. Women come to LuckyCrush hoping to make money, so stocking up a little bit will do you some good.

Because LuckyCrush is totally random, you might be paired up with a hottie who is on the other side of the world. Don’t worry if you don’t speak her language. LuckyCrush has a built-in translation feature that makes it easy to communicate with models from all over the world. It’s an exciting approach to cam shows.

Pros:

Personally meet models from all over the world
Exclusively private shows

Cons:

You can’t filter or search
Not for everyone

15.  StripChat: Interactive stripteases

StripChat is a cam site with some special perks. On the surface, it’s a way to view beautiful live stripteases performed by stunning models. Some of them just like to strip and others take it up a notch by displaying naughty activities. In that regard, it’s a little different from your average sex cam site. You can check out the videos for free and tip the models, like you normally would. These tips are given in the form of tokens, which you will need to purchase beforehand.

The women on StripChat are not amateurs. They are women who seem to fit right into the porn industry. They really know what they are doing and they are fantastic at putting on a show for an audience. This is also a site that sadly caters exclusively to the male gaze. In other words, there isn’t any real gender diversity unless you head over to their couples section. However, everything, including the lesbian scenes, seems to be shot exclusively for purely heterosexual males.

What separates StripChat from the crowd is their VR feature. Now, if you don’t have a pair of VR goggles, you are going to want to stop reading because this next part is going to make you really jealous. StripChat’s VR function allows you to throw on a headset and opt in for a private show from one of their pretty performers. It takes live interaction to new heights and is a deeply satisfying cam experience. The videos are in HD, so you won’t miss a thing!

Pros:

HD stripteases
VR features
Professional cam girls

Cons:

Sometimes, you only get a striptease

16.  BongaCams: Affordable, transparent

On the surface, BongaCams likes to pretend that it’s a free cam site full of women, couples, and trans people. If you’ve made it this far in reading cam reviews, you won’t be surprised to learn that every site is going to squeeze some coin out of you at some point. That’s just how these things work. But BongaCams isn’t going to suck you dry by charging per minute. Their models make a living based on their tips, and you are going to eventually want to tip them through the token payment structure.

The good thing about the BongaCams pricing setup is that there are really no surprises. When you enter a free live show, you are shown a list of the models prices per a given activity. For instance, erotic play between two beautiful lesbian models might cost you 100 tokens. You’ll be informed of everything up front, which helps you figure out which shows are worth watching based on your personal preference and what you can afford. You can also try your luck at jumping into a show and mooching off the other viewers who will send tips, but it might test your patience.

BongaCams delivers incredible shows but doesn’t provide many private show options. In the end, BongaCams is a pretty predictable cam site with a token system and great performers. You’ll find a lot of new girls on this site too, because it’s very welcoming to girls who want to get into camming for the first time.

Pros:

Very transparent about price
Great site design

Cons:

Not great for private shows

17.  BabeStation: Huge UK cam site

BabeStation has been around for nearly two decades and is the biggest cam site for UK models. Of all the cam sites, BabeStation is not one that you want to breeze past because it has a lot to offer.

Most sites that have been around for as long as BabeStation have pretty much nailed the cam girl experience. This will become clear to you immediately upon visiting the site. Rather than staring at a bunch of thumbnails, you’ll be plopped into a live show right away. You can of course exit and search for a show that’s a bit more your flavor, but it’s nice to know that you can freely view HD cam shows from the jump.

One thing that BabeStation is missing is an easy way for new visitors to browse and filter. Most of the models are great, but this site isn’t designed to cater to unique fetishes because it’s hard to navigate. Some of the performers are also a little dry. They will sometimes just keep their camera on while they go about mundane tasks, which is more of a voyeuristic experience than an interactive cam show.

BabeStation does offer a ton of promotions at any given time, making it feel very affordable when you decide that you do want to tip a model.

Pros:

Biggest UK cam site
Can actually watch shows for free

Cons:

Not an easy site to navigate
Some performers lack engagement or personality

How to Have the Best Adult Cam Site Experience

If you’re brand new to cam sites, you might feel a bit lost. There are a lot of them, and they’re not all worth your time. Check out the following four tips to ensure that you end up on the best sites and have a great experience. 

Browse before you buy

Do you buy a car without test driving it? Do you buy a house without seeing it first? When it comes to spending your hard-earned money, it’s always good to avoid wasting it. And a good way to throw away your money is to start spending a ton of it on cam sites.

Your best bet is to browse around some of the top cam sites before you sign up for any subscriptions, premium memberships, etc. Many cam sites can even be browsed for free—even the biggest one, Chaturbate. So, it’s recommended to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the various sites out there before spending any cash. 

Privilege quality over quantity

There are some sites with thousands of cam models who are active at any given time. Yet, all those choices may be overwhelming, and it might feel like finding a needle in a haystack to find something of high quality. So, you might be better off finding a site with fewer models but with a higher percentage of fun and engaged and attractive ones.

That said, the biggest cam sites like Chaturbate give you different filtering options and the default is to show you the cammers with the largest number of viewers. This generally means that you can find high quality content without having to look too far. 

Stick to the big names

Camming has exploded in recent years. As you might expect, there’s been a lot of people trying to get a slice of the pie. Tons of cam sites have popped up, and not all of them are created equal—in fact, it’s not even close.

To avoid getting scammed and wasting your money and/or time, stick to the biggest names in the camming world—sites like Chaturbate and MyFreeCams, for example. 

Participate to maximize the experience

Cam sites are all about participation. This is what inherently separates them from regular porn sites. If no one participated—neither chatting nor giving any tips—the cam site wouldn’t exist. The models depend on tips for it to be worth their while, and the chatting helps keep things fun and engaging. 

So, don’t be shy to participate. You might find that it really enhances your overall experience, especially if you tip to get into private shows. Otherwise, you might as well just stick to regular porn. 

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The 13+ Best Adult Cam Sites of 2023Corvelay Mediaon January 17, 2023 at 7:09 am Read More »