FitzGerald's American Music Festival

FitzGerald's American Music Festival is an annual festival which takes place just west of Chicago in Berwyn, Illinois.[1] In 2013, it is a 4-day festival over the July 4 holiday.[2] The festival focuses on roots music, and presents performers from around the United States.[3][4][5]

History

FitzGerald's American Music Festival began in 1980[6] as a weekend event, organized by the operators of the Fitzgerald Night Club, with an appearance by Stevie Ray Vaughan. Vaughan appeared again in 19981.[7] The first year there were four bands.[8]

In 1997 the festival, by then stretching over four days, featured Neal Coty and the Hackberry Ramblers.[9]

In 2011 the Friday evening entertainment included Cathy Richardson and Michelle Malone.[10]

In 2013 the festival featured more than 40 artists on three stages. Performers included Dave Alvin, NRBQ, Marcia Ball,[11] Brave Combo, James McMurtry, Bottle Rockets, Jon Dee Graham, Pat McLaughlin, Jimmy LaFave — plus up-and-coming artists like St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Warren Hood Band, Luke Winslow King, Sarah & the Tall Boys, Luella & the Sun and Lost and Nameless Orchestra. And from around the Chicago music scene — Dolly Varden, Girl Group Chicago, The Westies, Cathy Richardson Band,The Blisters, Expo '76 and Tributosaurus. The festival also included a Paladins reunion and some Tex-Mex fun with Mac Baca & Los TexManiacs.

The 2014 festival included a performance by Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys,[12] and in 2016 the singer/songwriter Jon Dee Graham took part.[13]

T-shirts

Each year a T-shirt with a newly created design is available to attendees at the festival. The designs are created by local artists.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Follow the music: Our guide to the summer's notable music festivals". The Chicago Reader.
  2. ↑ Karen Hanson (2007). Today's Chicago Blues. Lake Claremont Press. pp. 226–. ISBN 978-1-893121-19-5.
  3. ↑ "July 3, 2010 @ FitzGerald's American Music Festival". Chicago Concert Goers - Zo, By Dave Miller
  4. ↑ Houlihan, Mary. "American Music Festival at FitzGerald's" Chicago Sun-Times July 5, 2000. via Highbeam (subscription required)
  5. ↑ "American Music Festival - FitzGerald's (Berwyn, IL)". No Depression. Live review, August 31, 2000
  6. ↑ "Review: Fitzgerald's American Music Festival, 6/29/12"/ Gaper's Block, By Davis Inman
  7. ↑ "Forty-plus bands to play American Music Festival". Chicago Tribune. James Porter, June 22, 2016.
  8. ↑ "FitzGerald’s music festival: 35 years and still going strong". Chicago Sun-Times, Tricia Despres 06/29/2016
  9. ↑ "American Music Festival - FitzGerald's (Berwyn, IL)". No Depression, by Linda Ray, August 31, 1997
  10. ↑ "Cathy Richardson and the Macrodots". Concert Goers,July 1, 2011 By Dave Miller
  11. ↑ "FitzGerald’s American Music Festival to return for 35th year". My Suburban Life, June 28, 2016
  12. ↑ "Fan appreciation at the American Music Festival". Chicago Tribune, July, 2014.
  13. ↑ "In the can from Dave’s van: singer/songwriter Jon Dee Graham". WGN Radio, September 18, 2016, interview by Dave Hoekstra.
  14. ↑ "FitzGerald's fest fits music fans down to a T". Chicago Tribune, July 01, 2005|By Monica Eng, Tribune staff reporter
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