The lineup is official. We have some great acts planned for 2014! We are looking to begin at noon, so the doors will open at 11 AM. We have our Crossroads Blues Challenge winners the Alex Wilson Band opening the day for us. Alex was a finalist in the International Blues Challenge and has performed in Memphis twice now at the IBCs. We are hoping the third time is a charm and they come back as winners!
Next up is the ever popular Liz Mandeville and her band! They perform at 2 PM. Liz brings her high energy act from Chicago to us and we can't wait to hear it! It has been far too long that this red headed blues diva has graced a stage in the Rockford area and we are proud to finally bring her back!
The Jimmy's will bring their swinging blues and other styles of music to the Rockford Aviators Stadium at 4 PM. Jimmy Voegeli on keys, Perry Weber on guitar, the Young Horns, Mauro Magellan from the Georgia Satellites on drums and if that is not enough Bun E. Carlos will also sit in on drums! If their show Saturday in Loves Park was any indication, a party will break out when these guys play!
At 6 PM, the ever cool Doug Deming and Dennis Gruenling will take the stage with the Jewel Tones. These guys both put out fantastic CDs that have gotten much radio airplay and when they were featured in our Byron Blues Fest they were fan favorites! This will be a great set of rocking and swinging music!
At 8 PM our headliners will be...John Nemeth!!! From hi Blind Pig Records bio..."Since bursting onto the scene in 2007 with his dazzling national debut album (Magic Touch), John Németh has wowed critics and audiences alike with his riveting vocals and harmonica prowess. The Philadelphia Inquirer testified to his standing in the current music scene with the comment, "Classic soul and R&B styles have been revitalized by artists such as James Hunter, Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, and Sharon Jones. You can include John Németh on any list of the best of them."
On his latest release, Name The Day!, the dynamic soul sensation continues to reinvigorate vintage American rhythm and blues with his uncanny ability to skillfully blend retro and modern blues and soul into compelling music that is simultaneously old and new."
Between acts we will feature local acoustic blues man Dan Phelps up in the covered pavilion on the third base side of the stadium. Acts on the Field of Blues, between acts up on the concourse with more music. 10 hours of music from noon to 10 PM (we close at 10:30 PM). Tickets will once again only be $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Crossroads Blues Society is an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Illinois that works to conduct Blues in the Schools programs for area schools. Sponsorship donations for the festival are tax deductable and are used to cover the many costs of running a music festival.
Costs include band fees, lodging for non-local bands, a stage, sound and lights, electrical work, insurance, licenses and more. It takes a lot of money and effort to run an event of this magnitude. We had a dedicated core of volunteers who support us.
Festival sponsorship levels:
· Festival Sponsor: $5,000.
One available. Festival name will included sponsor (e.g. “The Acme Field of Blues Festival.” Benefits include logo integrated into festival logo on tee shirt front and all uses, name on banner on stage, recognition in program and other advertising plus 100 free tickets
· Platinum: $1000 and up. Benefits include larger logo on tee shirt, name on banner on stage, recognition in program and other advertising plus 25 free tickets.
· Gold: $500 to $999. Benefits include smaller logo on tee shirt, name on banner on stage, recognition in program and other advertising plus 10 free tickets.
· Silver: $200 to $499. Benefits include name on banner on stage, larger name on tee shirt, recognition in program and other advertising plus 4 free tickets.
· Bronze: $100 businesses, $50 individuals. Benefits include small name on banner on stage, recognition in program and other advertising, small name on tee shirt plus 2 free tickets.
Gold and above sponsors also get to have a tent/booth at the festival and may place banners in the park. All sponsors are also frequently noted on stage after each act. We expect a large crowd at our festival. Any level of sponsorship can help to make this dream a reality. In-kind sponsors for services and such are also desired.
All proceeds from the festival will be used to fund and hopefully expand our Blues in the Schools (BITS) program. Crossroads Blues Society has conducted 125 BITS programs for almost 40,000 students since its’ inception in May 2002. We are proud to add music events to school calendars and to help keep the blues alive by educating the next generation of music fans about the roots of all American popular music.
We ask that your business consider becoming a sponsor for the 2014 Field of Blues Festival and thank you for your time and consideration!
Sincerely,
Steve Jones
Festival Chairperson
779-537-4006
sub_insignia@yahoo.com