The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, Big R, and 102.3 the Coyote welcomes Nashville Black River Entertainment Recording Artist, American Idol Season 5 Contestant, 2013 Dancing With the Stars Season 16 Winner, and CMT Reality TV Show Host Kellie Pickler to the Big R Summer Country Jam Stage on Saturday, August 13 at the Rochelle Municipal Airport, 1201 W. Gurler Road.
People Magazine writes, “A set of stunning pipes and a Daisy Duke-like sex appeal propelled Kellie Pickler from country-girl obscurity to the Top Six of American Idol’s fifth season. Her charming babe-in-the-woods persona also contributed to her post-Idol success, resulting in a near platinum-selling album and three CMT Awards.”
A press conference was held at Big R, 1240 N. 7th Street on February 29. Executives from Big R were in attendance and details of the Jam were revealed to anxious fans. The announcement made known that the exclusive naming rights to Rochelle’s’ premier summer country concert were purchased by Big R. Effective immediately, the concert formally known as the Summer Country Jam will be called the Big R Summer Country Jam.
Rochelle Store Manager Scott Lloyd said, “I’ve worked for a variety of national retailers in my career. I am proud to return to my wife’s hometown and represent Big R, a company who values its employees and customers enough to invest in the communities where they reside”. Lloyd added, “As a resident of Rochelle, I look forward to the Jam each year. Now I am especially excited to participate as its major sponsor”. Lloyd’s wife Carla, is the Northern Illinois Area Manager for Big R.
Sharing the Big R stage with Pickler is local singer-songwriter Tristan Bushman, of Ashton, Illinois and recent contestant on the farewell season of American Idol. Bushman comes from a musical family and has been performing since age 5. In 2015, Tristan released his first album Heartwood.
Opening for Pickler is emerging country music star Russell Dickerson. A Nashville native, multi-instrumentalist, songrwriter and Belmont University alumnus, Dickerson’s fans consider him the next big thing. Hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube, massive sales numbers, and skyrocketing social media numbers from the fans are pouring in. Dickerson has shared the stage with artists like Florida Georgia Line, Billy Currington, Kip Moore, Darius Rucker, Kelly Pickler and more.
Headlining the Big R Summer Country Jam is Kellie Pickler. There are many ways to describe Kellie Pickler, with spunky, beautiful, talented and charismatic just scratching the surface. But there is one word that ties them all together and brings them to life. Kellie Pickler is real. Few people speak or sing so transparently from their hearts. Few can bridge life and art, story and song, so vibrantly and compellingly.
The list of sponsors of the Big R Summer Country Jam is growing. Peggy Friday, Executive Director/CEO of the Rochelle Chamber and event organizer said, “We are grateful for the tremendous support from Big R at both the corporate level in Watseka, Illinois and here in Rochelle”. “Sponsorships are available at a number of levels making it affordable for businesses to advertise and receive valuable marketing impressions from February through August”, she added.
At press time, sponsors included Big R, 102.3 The Coyote (WYOT) & WRHL, Budweiser, Whiskey Acres, Rochelle Tobacco, ALM Fine Cabinetry, AIP Painters, Body Werks of Rochelle, Rochelle Community Hospital, Swedish American Hospital, Esterday Remodeling, Chicagoland Skydiving Center, and the Flight Deck Bar & Grill, site of the annual After Party.
Proceeds from the Jam will benefit Chamber programs including professional development initiatives and scholarships for local leaders, beautification efforts aligned with the $5,000 Curb Appeal Contest, economic development efforts and advocacy, small business support, and the creation of scholarships for working local students.
General Admission tickets are $30. New to the Big R Summer Country Jam, will be a limited number of Coyote Cave tickets for $65. Fans in the Cave will have exclusive access to the front of stage, a private bar, butler service, and private portable restrooms. Only 300 premium tickets will be sold. Complete ticket and concert information is available at www.summercountryjam.com. An interactive LED video wall will enhance the concert experience.
About Big R
Big R is a premier Farm, Ranch, and Home Store serving Northern and Central Illinois and Northern Indiana since 1964 with 18 stores, selling national brand pet supplies, hardware, automotive, sporting goods, lawn & garden, fencing, livestock equipment, tack and agriculture supplies, and all-purpose clothing and boots. The Big R group is comprised of 12 independent owners with a growing 75 + stores throughout the U.S. For more information visit www.bigr.com