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 1981[6] as a weekend event, organized by the operators of the Fitzgerald Night Club, with an appearance by Stevie Ray Vaughan.[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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