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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Pops in the Park returns to Phelps Grove Park, Randy Bacon and Heidi Herrman Bacon continue their One Road, Two Voices exhibition, we feature Tiny Desk Contest entries from the region, and we take a look at SRAC's grant recipients. -
Presented by Guaranty Bank in partnership with the Springfield Art Museum and Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Pops in the Park returns June 20 with a free community concert featuring Jeans ’n Classics performing hits from the 1980s. -
“Little Shop of Horrors” blooms at High Tide Theatrical, The Mystery Hour returns to the Gillioz with a Route 66-themed show, visiting musicians from Mexico perform across the Ozarks and blues, bluegrass and choir music fill the regional arts calendar this week. -
Reporter Jimmy Rea spoke to cast members in the Springfield production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” as well as actor and Missouri State University alumnus John Goodman, about his advice for young actors. -
Bestselling author comes to Springfield, new music from Matteson Gregory, MSU graduate students begin work on a feature film and a remembrance of an Ozarks champion. -
A new “Musical Road” on Springfield’s Route 66 corridor now plays “America the Beautiful” as drivers travel across specially engineered rumble strips on St. Louis Street. -
Author C.J. Leede will join podcaster Anna Dupre for a conversation and event at 4 By 4 Brewing Company in Springfield. -
National recognition for murals in Springfield, a blues festival helping community members in need, and new music from Annabelle Eve, David J. Hinson and Robert J. Martin. -
Stomp the Blues Out of Homelessness festival celebrates 15 years of music, community and fundraisingEvent founder Jim Payne stopped by the Arts News studio to discuss the milestone year for the long-running event and how it supports local community organizations while bringing nationally touring musicians to Springfield, including this year’s headliner, Anders Osborne. -
“Hitchhikers,” a live mural installation created by artists Emily Ding and Osiris Rain during the Overlay Art and Culture Festival, received two national honors at the 2026 National Mural Awards.
