Kurt Neumann may make a living playing music but BoDeans founder and frontman said he still knows about struggling financially.
That is partly why BoDeans is headlining the third annual Southside Summer Festival on July 20 at Marist High School’s stadium in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community. The fundraiser supports scholarships and financial aid for the school’s current and future students.
“In our society all too often there is a huge disparity between those who have and those who do not. It’s a big problem,” said Neumann, a Milwaukee native who lives outside Austin, Texas.
“I was a kid who didn’t have much. I couldn’t go to (college) because my parents didn’t have the money to put me in school. I just got a job instead so I understand where they’re coming from.”
Soul 2 The Bone, which performs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., covers music dating back to the 1960s including Motown, rhythm and blues, light rock, jazz, contemporary jazz, disco and pop.
The Push Stars, which plays alternative pop from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., are led by Chris Trapper and have had songs featured on film soundtracks, including “There’s Something About Mary.”
“Chris plays with us often. He’s a great singer-songwriter himself. All their music works well with us,” said Neumann, who is also a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer.
“It’s well-crafted songs with beautiful melodies and singing from the heart, which is what we try to do as well — nothing trendy, just good songwriting.”
BoDeans, which perform from 8:15 to 10 p.m., is known for songs including TV show “Party of Five” opening theme “Closer to Free,” “Good Things,” “Idaho” and “You Don’t Get Much.”
“We play six decades of music, which is a lot of different music to draw from so we touch on the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, 2000s, 2010s,” Neumann said.
“It’s a high-energy show. We try to keep it fun, beautiful and good melodies and keep people moving.
“I like playing all different stuff and I like watching people’s reaction to it. We play the favorites people have loved through the years but we also try to play some stuff that is unexpected.”
BoDeans has supported artists including David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, The Pretenders, Paul Simon and U2 live; performed on TV shows such as “Late Night with David Letterman” and “Saturday Night Live” and is represented in a display case for Midwest artists at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
“Just people coming out to see us after so many years, to me, is the biggest thing,” Neumann said.
“Not many people get to go on playing music for 40 years.”
BoDeans plans to follow up 2022’s “4 The Last Time” with a new album in late fall or spring 2025.
“It’s a little more based on soul sounds of the ’60s and ’70s so it’ll be a little more different, a little more fun,” Neumann said.
Southside Summer Festival seeks volunteers, who receive free admission and an event T-shirt. They must be at least 21 years old and may sign up online.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Southside Summer Festival
When: 4-10 p.m. July 20
Where: Marist High School’s stadium, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago
Tickets: $35 in advance; $40 at door; $150 VIP; ages 21 and older only
Information: 773-881-5300; marist.net
