Country Music Chicago – A Year in Review

As we close the book on 2008 and start our planning for 2009, we wanted to take one last look at all of the amazing performances that occurred over the year and send our sincere gratitude to all of the artists, promoters, venues, event planners and most of all our fellow country music fans who help bring these events to our great city. All of you help drive the passion at CountryMusicChicago.com and this would not be possible without you. Please continue to bring country music to Chicago, we will continue to come.

Here at CMC, we’re looking forward to 2009, as we have lots of exciting announcements to make and a full editorial calendar to bring you the latest on Chicago’s country music scene.

In 2009, we ask you to continue to attend country music events and check back with us often. As you celebrate this year, please tell a friend about all of the awesome and useful content you’ve read on this website.

And finally, have a wonderful and safe New Year’s Eve and may 2009 bring you success and prosperity.

Concerts | January & February 2009

Upcoming Concerts – January 2009 – February 2009

January 2009

David Allen Coe
Joe’s Bar | Chicago, IL
January 9, 2009 | 9pm | Ticketmaster

Eli Young Band
Joe’s Bar | Chicago, IL
January 10, 2009 | 9pm | Ticketmaster

MEGA WINTERFEST 2009
Pheasant Run | St. Charles, IL
January 16 – 17, 2009 | Various Times | Ticketmaster

LeAnn Rimes
Kellie Pickler
Jason Aldean
Phil Vassar
Julianne Hough
Jonathan Singleton
Darryl Worley
One Flew South
Joe Nichols
Trent Tomlinson
The Road Hammers
The Lost Trailers
PennyMaeDixon Band
Cross County Junction

Ya’llapalooza 2009
Prairie Capital Convention Center | Springfield, IL
January 16 – 17, 2009 | Various Times | Ticketmaster

Whitney Duncan
Jonathan Singleton
Trent Tomlinson
Phil Vassar & Friends
LeAnn Rimes
One Flew South
Chris Young
The Lost Trailers
Julianne Hough
Keith Anderson
Joe Nichols
Jason Aldean

Jamey Johnson
Joe’s Bar | Chicago, IL
January 23, 2009 | 9pm | Ticketmaster

Rodney Atkins
Rialto Square Theatre | Joliet, IL
January 23, 2009 | 8pm | Ticketmaster

Toby Keith with Jason Aldean
Peoria Civic Center | Peoria, IL
January 29, 2009 |7:30pm | LiveNation

James Otto
Joe’s Bar | Chicago, IL
January 30, 2009 | 8pm | Ticketmaster

Kris Kristofferson
Genesee Theatre | Waukegan, IL
January 30, 2009 | 8pm | Ticketmaster

Brad Paisley
i Wireless Center | Moline, IL
January 30, 2009 | 7:30pm | Ticketmaster

February 2009

Rascal Flatts with Jessica Simpson
Assembly Hall | Champaign, IL
Friday, February 6, 2009 | 8pm | Ticketmaster

Luke Bryan with Wade Bowen
Joe’s Bar | Chicago, IL
Friday, February 6, 2009 | 9pm | Ticketmaster

Randy Rogers Band
Joe’s Bar | Chicago, IL
Friday, February 13, 2009 | 9pm | Ticketmaster

Pat Green
Joe’s Bar | Chicago, IL
Friday, February 20, 2009 | 10pm | Ticketmaster

Toby Keith with Jack Ingram *Just Listed

Metro Centre | Rockford, IL

Saturday, February 21, 2009 | 7:30 | Ticketmaster

Jason Michael Carroll
Joe’s Bar | Chicago, IL
Friday, February 27, 2009 | 8:30pm | Ticketmaster

Country’s Hottest Party!
Gretchen Wilson, John Rich and Friends
Pheasant Run Mega Center | St. Charles, IL
Saturday, February 28, 2009 | 7pm | Ticketmaster

Chuck Wicks & TelluRide
Joe’s Bar | Chicago, IL
Saturday, February 28, 2009 | 9pm | Ticketmaster

Upcoming: Little Big Town, Cross Canadian Ragweed & Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

Compiled by CMC staff

Please note: subject to change without notice please check with the venue’s website for updates.

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Pheasant Run Resort brings live music back with Country Concerts

By Mark Gregory

Nearly a decade after it stopped featuring live music, West suburban, Pheasant Run Resort is not only bringing concerts back – its gone country. The resort, located in St. Charles, kicked off the return of live concerts with country music superstars Montgomery Gentry on Nov. 1 and Comedian Jeff Foxworthy on Dec. 12. That’s not all; the biggest event yet is scheduled for next month.

Winterfest, a two-day music festival Jan. 16 and 17, will feature top country artists during a two-day non-stop country concert. Headlining the event will be Jason Aldean Friday and LeAnn Rimes Saturday. Aldean, touring in support of his second album, “Relentless” is an up-and-coming megastar in country music. His debut, self-titled album went platinum on singles like “Hicktown” and “Why.” The first single off relentless, “Johnny Cash” debuted with a bang as did the heartfelt second single, “Laughed until we cried.”

At 26, Rimes is already a country music veteran, as she released her first single, “Blue” at age 13. She has sold nearly 40 million albums and has claimed 12 Billboard Music Awards, three awards from the Academy of Country Music, two Grammys (the youngest to ever win a Grammy) and an American Music Award.

Accompanying the festival’s headline acts will be The Lost Trailers, Kellie Pickler, Julianne Hough and Joe Nichols on Friday; Jimmy Wayne, Darryl Worley, Trent Tomlinson and Phil Vassar on Saturday.

The Mega Center, which seats nearly 3,000, is a smaller, personal venue for fans to see some of their favorite artists. “You are up close and personal, no matter where you sit,” said Diane Rosenthal, Pheasant Run Resort’s General Manager, “It is more personal than, say, the United Center or AllState Arena. This is a great place and a lot of fun.” Rosenthal admitted when the booking process started, country music was not what was on her car radio every morning, but she and the resort knew it had the best fit to the property. And, in the process, she has taken to the music and its fans. “The fans were great at Montgomery Gentry,” she said. “Just a lot of good people that came out and had a great time.” Rosenthal believes Pheasant Run caters to the tastes of country fans. “We have a country feel, a down home feel, that we hope people enjoy,” she said. “And there really wasn’t a lot of places out there featuring country this way.” The Illinois venues that do spotlight country music have been successful in the past few years. Last year, the Academy of Country Music Awards recognized the Rialto Square Theater in Joliet as a nominee for Venue the Year and Joe’s Bar on Weed Street in Chicago was nominated for Nightclub of the Year.

While Pheasant Run wants to be just as, or more successful, they also want the music fans to return for the other entertainment offered. The resort holds live theater, comedy, a full-service spa and a well-kept golf course. The hotel offers concert or theater-goers a chance to make it a weekend get-a-way. In fact, those wishing to stay overnight are often rewarded with premier seating options as well. “We have a lot of unique things to offer,” said Rosenthal. “We hope people come and enjoy the concerts, but we also hope they come back. We hope they see that we have a play coming up or the spa or golf course. We are hoping the concerts will attract a new variety of people to Pheasant Run.”

All events and lodging information can be found at the resort’s Web site, www.pheasantrun.com.

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in the Bugle Newspapers

Country Music makes a Winter appearance in Chicago

Right when Chicago is in full-hibernation mode, this two-day indoor country music festival will help you forget the winter blues and singing country tunes.

Mega Winterfest 2009 is a two-day, high-energy country music festival, being held January 16 & 17, 2009, at the Pheasant Run Mega Center. The event will feature some of Nashville’s hottest artists like LeAnn Rimes, Jason Aldean, Joe Nichols, Phil Vassar, Trent Tomlinson, Kelli Picker, Darryl Worley, Julianne Hough, One Flew South and more.

Tickets for Winterfest range from $49.00 – $89.00 for one day or $79.00 – $159.00 for two-day combo tickets and are available through Ticketmaster and the Pheasant Run box office.

One and two night packages including premium seat tickets are available from $379 – $599 per couple.

Here’s a rundown of the line-up:

Friday, January 16, 2009

Jason Aldean
Kelli Picker
Joe Nichols
Julianne Hough
The Lost Trailers
The Road Hammers
One Flew South

Saturday, January 17, 2009

LeAnn Rimes
Phil Vassar
Darryl Worley
Trent Tomlinson
Jonathon Singleton
And more…

Don’t forget to check out the US99.5 after party hosted by Drew Walker on Saturday night, January 17th.

Resources:

Pheasant Run Concerts

Mega Winterfest 2009

Ticketmaster

WUSN US99.5

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Recent Ticket Releases: 12/20/08

Chicago country music concert tickets to recently go on sale:

December 20, 2008

Pat Green
Joe’s Bar | Chicago, IL [21+]
Friday, February 20, 2009 | 8PM | $28.00 (General Admission)
Ticketmaster or at Joe’s (Cash Only)

Country’s Hottest Party!
Gretchen Wilson, John Rich, Cowboy Troy & Jeffrey Stelle
Pheasant Run Mega Center | St Charles, IL
Saturday, February 28, 2009 | 7PM | $55.00 – US $89.00
Ticketmaster or call the Pheasant Run Box Office at 630-584-6342

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Music City Soul, Windy City Attitude

Music City Soul, Windy City Attitude

By Mark Gregory

Whether she is singing her heart out or just holding a conversation, there is one simple word that can sum up country music hopeful Jessica Erin – Genuine.

An up-and-coming singer with a southern-influenced sound and Midwestern authenticity, Erin hopes the two fuse to create a lethal combo for the music world.

A native of LaSalle, Illinois, a town roughly 90 minutes from Chicago, Erin knew she wanted to make singing a career at 8-years-old when she started performing in musicals.”Since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a singer, a veterinarian and save the world,” she said. “I realized I couldn’t be a veterinarian because I couldn’t stand seeing animals hurt and bleeding. And saving the world, it will have to be one person at a time. I guess I hope I can do that through my music.”

Erin has had chances to make non-country music a career, but knows things work out for a reason.

“When I was 15, I was offered to go to Broadway, but I would have had to move to

New York and that just wasn’t possible then,” Erin said. “I almost did a pop album, but I didn’t trust the major people I would have worked with. It is hard to walk away from something when you want it so bad, but in the end you have to follow your own values. Things happen for a reason. If I would have started in the business younger, I would not have had the respect that I do now for how much work it takes.”

Along with her natural twang, Erin said the country scene also fits her beliefs and lifestyle better. “In the pop world, it is more about who is dating who and what magazine they are in. It is not so much about talent, but more about what they did last Friday night,” Erin said. “People in the country industry are more trustworthy and are more down home.”

Erin moved to Nashville to pursue her career a little more than a year ago from South Florida where she had relocated from Illinois. She has since moved to Los Angeles.

“Right now that is where I have to be for my career,” she said.

On October 30, 2007, she released her first album, “Free To Be Me,” which is available on iTunes and www.jessicaerin.com.

Erin’s young, fresh, free-spirited rock sound is evident on many of her songs, including “American Girl”, “What You’re Looking For” and “Bad Girl.”

She also brings a sensitive yet seductive innocence to ballads like “I Can’t Let You Go” and “When Words Won’t Say.”  “Say Goodbye,” a heartfelt, love-gone-wrong ballad is a diamond on the album and shows a tender, genuine side of Erin that is as real in her lyrics as in person.

“I was screaming,” she said of first holding her album. “My mom and I were jumping up and down. That is the biggest accomplishment so far in my life.”

After opening for Darryl Worley in last November at Joe’s Bar, Erin was home June 14, 2008, opening for multi-platinum, Grammy nominated artists Montgomery Gentry at Cedar Point Sportsman’s Club in LaSalle.

Erin’s goal is to attract fans nation-wide and knows she has a good start in Chicago.

“Chicago is the best fans for everything. Sports, music, whatever. They are devoted. That is one thing that you can’t get anywhere else. Chicago has heart,” Erin said. “It is a big advantage coming from there. There really aren’t many country artists from Chicago. Chicago is a huge country market available with the radio stations and Joe’s Bar is a great venue to play.

Erin still has dreams yet to be fulfilled, like being a household name and a staple on country radio like some of her influences, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban.

She understands, however, she can’t get upset if it doesn’t happen overnight.

“You cannot give yourself a time limit because people in music work on their time and they don’t care. It is not something where there is a deadline.

“I just hope I can keep getting my name out there.”

And as she continues to fight to break into Nashville’s inner circles, she will do so with the blue-collar, finger-to the- bone work ethic that is in her Chicago blood.

Find Jessica Erin’s Music on iTunes:

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