ROCHELLE — Countless hours of work go into each and every Summer Country Jam and although the event was just a few weeks ago, preparations are already underway for next year.
For the past five years, the Rochelle Area Chamber of Commerce has hosted the event, attracting country music fans from all around for an evening of entertainment at the airport.
Peggy Friday, Executive Director for the Chamber, explained the goal of the event  is not only to provide an entertainment experience for local residents, but also fans from all over Illinois and the surrounding states as well.
“The Jam has become a reunion for those who attend each year,” Friday said regarding some of the most rewarding aspects. “We have created a history with this event. It’s rewarding to know that our vendors do really well while showcasing their products and services.”
While successful, there are challenges to pulling an event of this magnitude together. One, Friday says, is marketing the event to entice more locals. Another is the process of booking the artists.
“The chamber has created strong relationships with all of the large talent agencies in Nashville,” Friday said. “Choosing/anticipating the artists who will peak at Jam time has been a strength. Successful fundraising takes a lot of time. I am personally grateful to the in-depth event planning experience I have gained over the last five years.”

Early years
The idea to bring a country music concert to Rochelle was a collective effort of sorts between Friday and then-newcomer Kris Wexell. Shortly after arriving at the local radio station and after launching The Coyote in late December of 2012, Wexell explained he met with Friday to discuss bringing an event to Rochelle.
“I was looking to come up with some kind of music event that the Coyote could host, originally the event was called The Coyote Fan Jam. Being new to the area, I had asked Peggy if she would like to meet and talk about this idea. She loved it from the start and also said the Chamber was looking to do something as another fundraiser…and settled on naming it Summer Country Jam,” Wexell said. “We started looking at entertainment and how all this was going to come together, keeping in mind there was only a couple of us putting year one together. Peggy being the work horse she is took it by storm.”
The first year had several area performers including Kim Anthony, Missy Vail, Brian Lavender, and a little known artist at the time — Chase Rice.

“Chase Rice headlined the first Summer Country Jam. The Chamber arranged for he and the entire band to skydive at Chicagoland Skydiving Center prior to his performance,” Friday said. “The social media benefit to the Jam, CSC and the Rochelle Municipal Airport was unmeasurable.”
Wexel said the Summer Country Jam team has learned so much in five years and have worked diligently to streamline the entire concert experience.
“Our expectation was to grow the event each year in talent and numbers,” he said.
Wexell recalls the first year crowds being much more than expected.
“The after party was held at the Flight Deck with Back Country Roads. I remember Peggy and I standing on the corner of the main stage wondering how all these people were going to fit at the after party,” Wexell said. “It was a lot of fun to see something like this take place in Rochelle. Chase Rice also went skydiving and ate at the Flight Deck afterwards along with the fans.”

In the years following the inaugural event, crowds were wowed from entertainers Chris Lane, Joe Diffie, and Kellie Pickler to name a few. Friday explained the planning and financial responsibilities come from the Chamber along with assistance from the many volunteers.
“The event grew out of ideas Kris and I had for bringing a professional concert experience to Rochelle…The Jam provides a little of Nashville in our backyard,” Friday said. “It provides a stage for local musicians to showcase their talents and a good way for the Chamber to connect with the community.”
Friday added over 100 volunteers help coordinate the event.

“We take pride in the fact that the up-and-coming artists we bring to Rochelle have all gone on to successful careers as supporting acts or headlining tours.”
Wexell, Program Director and Operations Manager for Rochelle Broadcasting Company, 102.3 The Coyote (WYOT-FM), along with Good Time Oldies 1060 WRHL, shared what he believes is the most rewarding aspect of the Country Jams. The Coyote is the welcoming radio station, broadcasting live from the event.
“Seeing the community come together…this wouldn’t happen without all the volunteers, the sponsors, and of course the Rochelle Chamber,” Wexell began. “Peggy Friday has taken this event and grown it each year, along with our The Coyote’s TV partner WIFR-23 — it’s something now that everyone looks forward to, not only in town but our surrounding communities, bringing thousands of people to town for one night.”
What the future holds
Neither Friday nor Wexell can reveal which performers might be at the 2018 performance just yet, but both promise it will be bigger and better than before.
“I truly hope to see Summer Country Jam keep growing, not only for up and coming artists but to also see well known artists hit our stage then maybe, just maybe, get to two days,” said Wexell.
“Our desire is to grow the Jam to someday become a weekend event,” Friday said. “Special thanks to Mayor Chet Olson and the Rochelle City Council and to the hundreds of volunteers each year who work the event.”
Many help make the event successful each year. These include Peggy Friday, Event Coordinator; Tricia Herrera, Event Co-coordinator; Kris Wexell, Presenting Station; Jeff Tilton, Beverage Coordinator; Kate Shaw-Dickey, Volunteer Coordinator; Gary Mason, Stage Crew Manager; Mike Hudetz, Rochelle Municipal Airport Manager; Chris Haas, Graphic Design; and Maddi Friday, Artist Manager/Meet and Greets.