SamJam Music & Brewfest profit returning in September

“We’ve change into identified for top-quality music,” mentioned Sam’s father, Peter Oswald, who has spearheaded the SamJam occasions. “Yearly, our followers inform us how good our music is and the way a lot they take pleasure in listening to it. 

“Creating that sort of fan expertise is de facto necessary to us, and yearly new individuals come and be a part of us,” he mentioned. “Even the distributors inform us they need to come again. We take lots of pleasure in how individuals view the SamJam expertise.” 

SamJam was created in 2014 to honor Sam Oswald, who has endured years with neurofibromatosis, which impacts 1 in each 2,500 individuals worldwide. Neurofibromatosis is most frequently seen in childhood or early maturity and seems equally throughout gender, racial and ethnic teams.  

Since he was recognized at age 4, Sam Oswald, now 37, has had spinal fusion, two mind tumors, shunt revisions, bone grafting on each legs, knee surgical procedure, dermal tumor elimination and eye surgical procedure. In July 2020, he underwent surgical procedure to take away a tumor in his chest close to his esophagus. That was adopted by one other operation in March 2021 to take away a tumor from his thigh, which was a reoccurrence of a bout of most cancers from eight years in the past. 

Among the many wide-ranging results of  neurofibromatosis are scoliosis, which was an early drawback in Sam Oswald’s case, in addition to seizures, motor delays, imaginative and prescient or listening to loss, disfigurement, bone deformities, speech impediments, lack of stability and lifelong bodily ache. 

“NF is rarely simple. It’s one thing I’ve to take care of virtually each day and it may be actually exhausting,” Sam Oswald mentioned. “Fortuitously, I’ve had lots of nice assist from household and buddies, which has actually helped.” 

Sam Oswald lives on his personal in Carlinville, and is ready to get round with the assistance of a particular three-wheeled bicycle.  

“It may be a wrestle, and sometimes is,” he mentioned, “however I’m actually grateful for what I’m in a position to do.”

In its first seven editions, SamJam has raised $71,000, with the funds going to NF Midwest, a company that gives analysis grants and assist providers in Illinois and 5 surrounding states.

This yr’s model of SamJam will characteristic 5 bands — together with Isaiah Christian and the Insurgent Saints, an up-and-coming nation singer from Winchester, and Positively 4th Road of Springfield, which performs every thing from ‘30s-style blues to rock, nation and extra. 

Positively 4th Road performs 15-20 exhibits a yr. Band chief Tom Beverly mentioned the group loves enjoying festivals equivalent to SamJam.

“We’re tremendous excited to be at SamJam,” Beverly mentioned. “Festivals are our favourite locations to play, and we’re actually honored to be part of one thing like SamJam for an excellent trigger. The gang can count on nice power and good vibes once we play. When our group will get collectively, we actually gel, and it’s nice to be part of.” 

Different scheduled performers embody Pete Jive, a Naperville performer who presents a mixture of American folks, rock and roots reggae. There’s additionally One Manner Visitors, a St. Louis-based progressive bluegrass group, and Al Holliday and The East Facet Rhythm Band, which relies in Metro East St. Louis and identified for a mixture of old-school blues, soul, funk, jazz and R&B.

Peter Oswald famous the strides which have been made within the struggle in opposition to neurofibromatosis, however mentioned “there’s a lot extra to be performed, and there’s nonetheless lots of analysis that’s wanted. 

“Larger public consciousness and extra funding for analysis will assist discover a remedy,” he mentioned. “We additionally want to assist sufferers and their households dwell with this devastating situation.” 

Tickets for SamJam are solely accessible on the gate and are $20 for adults and $10 for college kids. These 16 or beneath shall be admitted without cost.