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.
-
Springfield Symphony Orchestra opens its 91st season, Western swing in the Ozarks and beyond, Grateful Dead music comes to downtown, and an Emmy Award winning actor brings Mark Twain to the stage of Hammons Hall. -
Once a dominant sound in popular music, western swing is finding new listeners. Reporter Jimmy Rea talks with bandleader Seth Darby about the genre’s roots and its influence on country music and the Ozarks. -
SSO Conductor and Music Director Kyle Wiley Pickett talks to KSMU Arts Producer Jimmy Rea about this year’s programs, including Saturday’s opening concert, “Don Juan," part of a season focused on storytelling. -
This week we focus on the incredibly talented women in the music and arts scene of The Ozarks. The music they make, the events the put on, and the impact they have. -
Sunday, Sept. 7, Hold Fast Brewing will host the inaugural Women of Jazz festival with nine acts across two stages. -
This Saturday, Tie and Timber celebrates local female musicians at the annual HERmonious festival. We spoke with participating artist Guinevere Goodwin about her musical journey and why supporting women locally matters. -
Music, music, music this week! Festivals, Tiny Desk, original and cover shows happening, new season at Ozarks Lyric Opera , and more -
A longtime tradition continues the first weekend of September in a small but prolific town in Northwest Arkansas. -
Dockley Ranch hosts its annual four-day Highlonesome Music Festival this weekend in Ava, Missouri. -
Shakespeare’s The Tempest arrives in The Ozarks, The HillBenders release new single and perfrom a hometown show, a Rt. 66 book and radio tour, music from a participant in the Tiny Desk contest, and more!
