The Sound of Music: Sister Hazel, Blue Oyster Cult Headline PrairieFest

Ever wonder how bands like Blue Oyster Cult and Sister Hazel end up headlining at Oswego’s PrairieFest?

Ideas for the next year’s musical entertainment start getting thrown around by festival coordinators within a week after the current year’s event ends.

“Staff around here starts coming up with dream bands who we would most like to hear,” said Kristie Blocker Vest, special events coordinator for the Oswegoland Park District. “After a couple of weeks of brainstorming some great music, we put together a list and start tracking down bands who might be able to come out. We have to work with bands who are still together and touring around PrairieFest time.”

The Gainsville, Fla.-based Sister Hazel released a new album just last October. Their biggest hit single has been "All for You," which topped the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart in 1997.

Chicago resident Guadalupe Azamar-Webb can’t wait to make the trek this weekend to Oswego to see the contemporary southern rock band. A self-professed “Hazelnut,” she is looking forward to getting her fix.

“Sister Hazel is loved by their fans of all ages because their music is the soundtrack of our lives,” she said. “They're down-to-earth people who happen to be incredible musicians. They are the consummate professionals and their experience shows in their incredibly tight live performances.”

She likens them to “a fine wine that has aged beautifully.”

“If you're a Nut, you know,” she said.

Vest said the musical entertainment is an integral part of PrairieFest for many community organizations.

“After all the hard work that so many groups do to put on their booths, games, and activities, the concerts are a chance to kick back and enjoy some time together,” she said. “We put on the festival for each other, and it keeps us all hopping. But the music is when we lay out our blankets and remember why we put forth all that effort.”

Blue Oyster Cult will take the main stage from 9 to 11 p.m. Friday.

The band, best known for their songs  “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” “Burnin’ for You,” and “Godzilla,” has sold more than 24 million albums.

When contacted for an interview, the band's producer, Steve Schenck, politely declined.

“I don't do interviews,” he said. “Sorry.”

Sister Hazel performs on the main stage from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 18.
Other musical entertainment for this year’s festival include 7th Heaven, Howard and the White Boys, The April Year and Green Thirteen.