Jimmy Rea
Arts Reporter & HostJimmy Rea is a proud Ozarkian with deep ties to the music community. With 2 decades of creative entrepreneurship underfoot, Jimmy has toured coast to coast and around the world with acoustic acts The HillBenders and Keller Williams. Spearheading numerous musical groups, recording projects, and live music events, Rea’s work in the Springfield music scene is a passion and lifestyle. Happily married to wife Melissa and father to Archie, they enjoy life together with 2 dogs and a cat. In his downtime you can find Jimmy fishing for bass in the crisp rivers, creeks, and streams of the Ozarks.
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The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival returns to downtown, Mark West talks about his 40 years in live event production, music from the Tiny Desk contest and Bobcat Opossum, and introducing The Green Room: a weekly Arts News letter! -
Before an artist walks on stage for a concert and before the audience walks through the gate of that concert, there is so much work that goes into a show. Staging, lights, and sound are a piece of that puzzle and a very often overlooked element of a great show. For nearly four decades Mark West and his business Downhome Productions have brought events to life with these production elements. -
Springfield celebrates its claim to fame as the Birthplace of Route 66. August 8 and 9 the city’s historic downtown will be alive with classic cars, live music, and plenty of local flavor as the 2025 Birthplace of Route 66 Festival rolls back into town. -
High Tide Theatrical opens Into the Woods with largest cast yet, First Friday Art Walk returns with one venue hosting a photography exhibit showcasing Black Cowboys in America, new music from Ozarks Bella Donna, and we explore the DIY music scene in Springfield. -
“Great theatre is about challenging how we think and encouraging us to fantasize about a world we aspire to.” – Willem Dafoe -
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A brand new single from The Shandies, Papa Green Shoes new live record gets released at Stardust Ballroom, and an in-depth discussion with Jody Guy Cottongim about his father Jimmy Guy Cottongim and growing up in show business. -
Local folk singer-songwriter Dallas Jones and his trusty back-up band will explore every era of Neil Young's vast musical catalog at Tie and Timber Brewery in the Rountree district of Springfield. Saturday July 26th, 7p start time and tickets are $10, more information at www.tieandtimberbeerco.com -
Local author and environmentalist Loring Bullard, poetry in The Ozarks, Springfield Little Theatre spotlight, music from Buster Clifton Davis, Casey and the Atta Boys and Tiny Desk entrants Project 1268 -
Jimmy Rea celebrates 1 year on Art News with lots of local music including Hitters debut single, The Hook Knives Studio Live SoundCheck, a local Beatles tribute, the DIY Summer Jamboree and Comedy from Bruce Bruce!
