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.
-
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! -
It’s been more than a year since The HillBenders played their last hometown show, and the band is bringing a few new elements to their August 22 concert at Tie & Timber. KSMU has an exclusive first listen to their new single. -
Queen City Shakespeare Company reimagines the classic with experimental theatre types such as puppetry, masks and projections, as well as through an exploration of modern themes. -
A budding local theatre company draws from horror, sci-fi, and parody to create a steady stream of original work, Joe Dillstrom prepares for his trip to Isesaki, Japan with a fundraising concert, a leap forward for film in the Ozarks, a veteran jam band makes their Springfield debut, and new music from Abbey Pierce. -
Joe Dillstrom is preparing for his trip to Isesaki, Japan, with a fundraising concert at local craft brewery Tie and Timber on Thursday August 21. Excitement and an open heart will guide his journey. -
A budding local theatre company draws from horror, sci-fi, and parody to create a steady stream of original work, including their upcoming production, A Variety Show of Horrors. -
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.
