FitzGerald’s Present The 34th Annual American Music Festival, July 1-4, Featuring Than More Than 50 Acts.

Jun 30, 2015 James Currie Features, Local Loop, Music News 0

Berwyn, Ill.—Americana and roots music fans will find a full menu of talent at FitzGerald’s 34th Annual American Music Festival brought to you by FitzGerald’s, 93XRT and Miller Lite. The 4-day event, the oldest festival of its kind in the Chicago area, features more than 50 artists from Chicago and around the country. Once again this year, we are selling advance tickets for each day in addition to the festival four-day pass.

Yes, you want it, we got it — blues, rock, pop, zydeco, soul, funk, jazz, country and folk. See below for the complete lineup that includes club favs — Joe Ely Band with guitarist Dave Grissom, Dale Watson, Jimmy LaFave, Eric Lindell, Paul Thorn, Uncle Lucius, Bill Kirchen & Redd Volkaert Band, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience and Marcia Ball, Eilen Jewell — as well as up-and-coming artists JD McPherson, Pokey LaFarge, Lera Lynn, Andrew Combs, Dustbowl Revival, Nora Jane Struthers, Curtis McMurtry and Bailey Dee and much more.

There’ll also be a handful of special performances: powerhouse singers Amy Black and Sarah Borges present a soulful tutorial on the incredible music that came out of Muscle Shoals, Alabama; a celebration of Bob Dylan’s songbook with separate performances by Tributosaurus and The Zimmermen featuring Cathy Richardson; and appearances by “School of Rock on Tour” featuring young performers from around the country and even Australia on two stages to get the festival started on Friday and Saturday. (The Oak Park school pays tribute to Chicago’s own Bloodshot Records with a set of songs by the label’s artists.)

On the food front, those familiar with Tom “Festival” Cimms’ past offerings consider his food a festival highlight. Tom is an old friend and former restaurateur who makes his specialties exclusively for our festival — look for a delicious mix of classic American and New Orleans favs. The menu includes the perennial favorites: Cochon de Lait, New Orleans BBQ shrimp, grilled mahi mahi with Creole mustard sauce, Andouille sausage po’ boy, shrimp Creole, jambalaya as well as the bratwurst and hot dogs. We will also feature a daily Cajun special and a vegetarian salad option. Plus Capri Ristorante will be serving Italian beef and sausage sandwiches.

FitzGerald’s American Music Festival (6615 W. Roosevelt, Berwyn) takes place rain or shine on three stages — club stage, festival tent and in the SideBar. Hours are 4:30 p.m. -1 a.m. July 1-2, 10:30 a.m.- 3 a.m. July 3-4. Early bird discount ($5 off) until 5:30 p.m. on July 1-2 and 2 p.m. on July 3-4.

Tickets, $25 (July 1), $35 (July 2-4), at TicketWeb and in person at FitzGerald’s. A 4-day pass, $100, is available at TicketWeb only (lanyard picked up at will call during fest). The TicketWeb link: https://www.ticketweb.com/snl/VenueListings.action?venueId=32814&pl=.

Children 12 and under are welcome with parents until 10 p.m. Tickets are $5; no children’s tickets will be sold in advance.

Here’s the lineup:

JULY 1 (doors open at 4:30 pm):

IN THE TENT — Pokey LaFarge (10 pm), Lindi Ortega (8:15 pm), Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound (6:30 pm), Mississippi Mudpuppies (5 pm).

IN THE CLUB — Eric Lindell (9:30 and 11:15 pm), Alanna Royale (7:30 pm).

IN THE SIDEBAR — Tim Carroll (9 and 10:45 pm), Mississippi Mudpuppies (7:30 pm).

JULY 2 (doors open at 4:30 pm):

IN THE TENT: Joe Ely Band featuring guitarist David Grissom (10:30 pm), JD McPherson (8:30 pm), Nora Jane Struthers & the Party Line (6:45 pm), Girls, Guns and Glory (5 pm).

IN THE CLUB: Sarah Borges (11:30 pm), Uncle Lucius (9:15 pm), Andrew Combs (7:30 pm), Will Kimbrough (6 pm).

IN THE SIDEBAR: Cannonball (11 pm), Bunkertown (9 pm), Leadfoot Band (7:30 pm).

JULY 3 (doors open at 10:30 am):

IN THE TENT: Paul Thorn (10:15 pm), Tributosaurus becomes Bob Dylan (7:45 pm), Dustbowl Revival (5:15 pm), The Zimmermen with Cathy Richardson (3:15 pm), Sarah Portenza (1:30 pm), School of Rock on Tour (11 am).

IN THE CLUB: Glen David Andrews (11:30 pm), Eilen Jewell (9:45 pm), Waco Brothers (8 pm), Lera Lynn (6:15 pm), 24th Street Wailers (4:30 pm), Michelle Malone (2:45 pm), School of Rock on Tour (11 am).

IN THE SIDEBAR: Expo ’76 (11:30 pm), 24th Street Wailers (9:45 pm), The Belvederes (8:15 pm), Dead Horses (6:30 pm), Charlie Parr (4:30 pm).

JULY 4 (doors open at 10:30 am):

IN THE TENT: Marcia Ball Band (10:15 pm), Glen David Andrews (8:15 pm), Bill Kirchen and Redd Volkaert Band (6:30 pm), Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience (4:30 pm), W.C. Clark Blues Band (2:45 pm), Salty Dogs Trad Jazz Band (1:30 pm), School of Rock on Tour (11 am).

IN THE CLUB: Honey Island Swamp Band (11:30pm), Dale Watson (9:30 pm), Jimmy LaFave (7:30 pm), Jon Dee Graham & the Fighting Cocks (5:45 pm), Kevin Gordon Band (4 pm), A Muscle Shoals Music Revue with Amy Black and Sarah Borges (2:15 pm), School of Rock on Tour (11 am).

IN THE SIDEBAR: What Four with Scott Ligon, Casey McDonough, Phil Angotti, Matt Warren (midnight), Curtis McMurtry (10:45 pm), Bailey Dee & Her Late Night Bait (9 pm), Robin Bienemann (7:15 pm), Harvey Cameron (5:30 pm), Luke Underhill (4 pm).