SamJam Music & Brewfest

There’s something for everyone at SamJam!

10 Hours of live music to benefit Neurofibromatosis (NF) featuring folk, rock, progressive bluegrass, country, and blues.

The 2022 SamJam Music and Brewfest will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 from noon until 10 p.m. at the Macoupin County Fairgrounds, just north of Carlinville. The event will feature everything from R&B to country and rock and roll, jazz, and American folk. Known for top-quality music, SamJam was created in 2014 to honor Sam, who has endured years of struggle with neurofibromatosis (NF), which affects 1 in every 2,500 worldwide. NF is most often noticed in childhood or early adulthood, and appears equally across sexes, races, and ethnic groups.  In its first seven editions, SamJam has raised $71,000, with the funds going to NF Midwest an organization that provides research grants and support services in Illinois and five surrounding states. This year’s version of SamJam features five bands of distinct musical talents, including the closing act, Al Holliday and The East Side Rhythm Band. Based on the Metro East, the band mixes the best elements of rhythm and blues with old-school blues, soul, funk, and jazz. The band will release their fourth album later this year and has toured across the country, as well as Europe. Other performers at SamJam include Positively 4th Street of Springfield, which plays everything from ‘30s-style blues to rock, country, originals, Bob Dylan, and Tom Petty, and Isaiah Christian and the Rebel Saints, an up-and-coming country singer from Winchester, Ill. There’s also Pete Jive, a Naperville performer that presents a mix of American folk, rock, and roots reggae, and One Way Traffic, a St. Louis-based progressive bluegrass group. Like last year, SamJam will be held outside on the carnival midway of the fairgrounds, with two pole tents and a professional stage. Food trucks, a tub raffle, and a wide selection of beer will also be offered. Camping is also available on the fairgrounds. Tickets for SamJam are only available at the gate and are $20 for adults and $10 for students, with free admission for 16 and under. Spectators are urged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and umbrellas. For more information, or to make donations, visit www.SamJam4NF.com or call 217-556-4917. If you have neurofibromatosis or schwannomatosis contact the event organizers or NF Midwest to receive complementary admission at the gate.