Saturday Afternoon Band: The Footstompers
Saturday at Noon
Sixties' Rock, Country Western, Country Rock, Dixieland, Polkas and Parodies. Do yourself a favor, pry yourself away from the football game, your free poker tournament, or whatever your usual Saturday ritual is and come down and see this fantastic band in action. From the polka standard "Who Stole the Kieszka?" to the Temptation's" My Girl," to Jimi Hendrix' "Purple Haze," to the country classic "Redneck Mother," a band born in the corn fields of DeKalb, IL, plays it all.
Versatility and good times are inherent to the style and sound of the DeKalb Footstompers, an ensemble of four seasoned musicians whose stylistic range covers music from the 1920s to the 1990s. Their talents mesh to offer up Sixties' rock, country western, country rock, old-time sing-a longs, Dixieland, polkas and parodies. This flexibility and diversity of music, combined with a relaxed style of performance (Hawaiian shirts for better jobs, bib overalls for the best) appeals to a wide audience, encouraging people to get loud, get up and enjoy themselves.
The Footstompers have been serving up this smorgasbord of styles for 36 years - ever since the members met as classmates at Northern Illinois University. Featuring unusual instrumentation and four-part harmonies, the band IS: Dave Guzzardo, guitar and banjo; Rick Peterson, tuba; Oscar Forsman, accordion; and Brian Duke drums. Not as structured as other bands, no two Footstomper performances are tile same.
The Footstompers have been the kick-off band for many years at both the Chicago Tribune Ribfest, and the DeKalb Cornfest. Other gigs have included the Budweiser Million at Arlington Park, NIU Huskie Club tailgate parties, the Woodchuck Festival and regular dates at such venues as Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, and Durty Nellie's in Palatine. The band also performs extensively throughout the Midwest at bars, weddings, beer gardens, parties and polka festivals, and has recorded three albums.
Saturday soundstage sponsored by:
