First-ever Bluegill Music Festival at Rend Lake Dam continues to take shape

By Jim Muir

BENTON — Andrew Hart, the evening host on one of Chicago’s top radio stations – 101.9 The Mix – has had a remarkable 12-year career in radio and is considered one of the top on-air personalities nationwide. But what’s even more remarkable than Hart’s rising career is that he’s only 26 years old.

Hart, a Benton native, began his career at the tender age of 14 at WQRL, in Benton where he traveled on a motorized scooter (illegally) on side streets to get to work. These days, through his job at The Mix, Hart rubs elbows with some of the top pop stars in the world who happen to be in The Windy City.

Hart, a Benton native, began his career at the tender age of 14 at WQRL-FM, in Benton where he traveled on a motorized scooter (illegally) on side streets to get to work. These days, through his job at The Mix, Hart rubs elbows with some of the top pop stars in the world who happen to be in The Windy City. However, Hart is great example that you can take the boy out of Southern Illinois but you can’t completely take Southern Illinois out of the boy. Hart has organized and is the driving force behind the first-ever “Bluegill Music Festival” that will be held July 4, 2015 at the Rend Lake Dam. And just like his skyrocketing radio career, Hart does not intend on doing things in a small way. The all-day festival will be complete with Southern Illinois’ largest fireworks display, along the shores of the Rend Lake Dam, in Benton, IL. The music lineup includes 20 bands and features national recording stars, Eli Young Band, LOCASH, Clayton Anderson and many more. In all, there will be three stages for country music lovers.

Hart, who goes by the on-air name “Finnigan” said putting the event together is a way for him to give back to an area that he loves, thinks of as home and hopes to see rebound from tough economic times.

“I have always wanted to do something out at Rend Lake for years, it’s a tremendous location where you can have anything from a picnic to this type of event,” said Hart. “The fireworks show is something that people look forward to every year, but we wanted to be able to build on that. This event has been bouncing around in my head for years but it took the right people and the right timing to make it all fall into place.”

Hart said he has gotten great cooperation from local mayors, chambers of commerce and law enforcement – all key elements in making the event a success.

“Safety is a concern but it is also our number one priority,” said Hart. “It took a lot of people working together to get us to the point we are right now, just two months from the event. It also took a lot of people to believe in us and what we are hoping to accomplish.”

One of those people who jumped on board and believes in the event is Sesser Mayor Jason Ashmore.

“I am really excited about this first-ever festival,” said Ashmore. “The entertainment and food is going to be the best of its kind. I believe this event will be fun and entertaining for locals and tourist alike.”

Even though the event is being held in Franklin County, Ashmore says he believes it could be a boon for all of Southern Illinois.

“This is going to be beneficial for the entire region” Ashmore said. “People will be driving through the region spending money and helping local businesses.  After all tourism is the region’s number one industry.”

Hart said he also believes the event will draw fans from around the country, including Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. The festival is at the intersection of some of the nation‘s most dedicated country music fans. BMF will feature nationally recognized BBQ vendors from around the country and right here in Southern Illinois. Interactive entertainment for fans will also include sponsor activations, a bags tournament, washers, bubble soccer, a 250ft. slip n’ slide, helicopter rides from Black Diamond Harley Davidson, a mechanical bull, a kids area with a large inflatable slide and the “Bluegill Lagoon”, featuring a 60-feet-by-100-feet VIP beach, with cabañas, private wading pools and a lounge area. Additionally, Southern Illinois’ largest fireworks display will begin at 9:30pm, and is free to the public.

Hart has worked nearly a year putting all the moving parts together for the first-ever Bluegill Music Festival.

“We started talking about it right after the fireworks last year, and then started really pursuing it about 10 months ago and got the go-ahead eight months ago, so we have accomplished a lot in that time frame,” Hart said. “We have gotten great cooperation from everybody and without it, this wouldn’t be happening. We are very excited about this event and look forward to making this happen for Southern Illinois.”

FULL LINE UP OF BANDS FOR BLUEGILL MUSIC FESTIVAL 2015: (More to be announced)

Athena

Cadillac Jones Band

Clayton Anderson

Eli Tellor

Eli Young Band

F-150

Heartlyn Rae

John Spicer

LOCASH

Mipso

Mocking Bird Hill

Mockingbird Sun

Murphy 500

Old Salt Union

Taylor Kearney

The Bankesters

The Hollerboys

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