ROCHELLE –– “Mr. Big Stuff, who do you think you are?” That question was asked over 45 years ago by soul singer Jean Knight.

Today that question is answered by a group of eight area guys who compose Mr. Big Stuff. The group, lead by vocalist Scott Herrmann, will take the stage Saturday night during Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival.
Herrmann has been involved with music his entire life as there were singers in both his mom’s and dad’s sides of the family and his parents made sure all the siblings grew up playing instruments.
Herrmann, a 1983 Rochelle Township High School graduate, was involved with musicals in high school and began pursuing a singing career after high school. While stationed in Southern California for the Air Force Herrmann was a member of the Oasis Players and The Tones, an acapella group.
Once Herrmann returned home to Rochelle he became a member of the groups Midlife Crisis and Lash LaRue. While performing with Lash LaRue the group opened for Styx at Octoberfest, the predecessor to Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival.
During that same time, Herrmann was offered a spot with Mr. Big Stuff however he could not join another band. A year later Herrmann moved to Rockford and Lash LaRue disbanded. The life changes allowed him to join Mr. Big Stuff and he has been lead vocalist since.

Herrmann has been performing with Mr. Big Stuff for 17 years and the group previously played at the Heritage Festival a few years ago.
While the members of the group have changed over the years, the musical vibe Mr. Big Stuff presents has not changed.
The group cannot pinpoint an answer to the question, ‘Who do you think you are?’ but lets their music answer the question.
Their bio reads, “From the band’s inception in 1999, the word “explosive” has been used repeatedly to describe the sonic impact of their music, which exploits the dynamic drive of a three-piece horn section (the Big Stuff Horns) and a tight, funky rhythm section.  With a repertoire of dozens of covers of both popular and obscure tunes dating from the heyday of swing to the modern era, the band delves into genres of pop, rock, funk, swing, R&B, disco, soul and even punk with equal facility and with a consistent objective - keep ‘em dancing.”
Herrman added, “It’s all about making sure everyone is having a good time. We perform what works for our fan base in regards to keeping them dancing.”
He described Mr. Big Stuff stating, “energetic wild sound with real brass that can blow your hair back.”
Herrmann’s favorite songs to perform are “Crazy Train” and The Dynamic’s “Lets Stay Together.” He explained he enjoys performing “Crazy Train”, as that is a song nobody expects a band with horns to play.
Herrmann is looking forward to returning to his hometown to perform again on Saturday, Aug. 19. Mr. Big Stuff will take the main stage from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. downtown Rochelle.
Other members of the band include George Wulf, Rick DeRango, Pat Liddell, Doug Maracco, Phil Pilcher, Paul Rehfeldt and Russ Wallace.
“Expect to have a good time,” stated Herrmann. “Energy is reciprocated: We push energy out in our music and the audience return the energy when they dance.”