What would music in the Midwest be without Jay Goldberg? Seriously - how many times was that amazing concert announced on the radio with that tag at the end, "brought to you by Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment"...the list of events he's promoted is simply astonishing. The number of acts he helped rise to fame is too numerous to mention. He has lived a life so extraordinary - yet remains humble and rooted in the Midwest.

Jay's family moved to Pekin from Chicago to open a children's clothing store. He attended Pekin High School and, while he didn't play sports, Pekin won their last two basketball State Championships while he was enrolled. Coincidence? Maybe.

While at Pekin High, Jay took note of the rich music scene in Pekin, with no shortage of bands. Though he loved music, he never considered himself "a musician". He once told the Pekin Daily Times:
“I really couldn’t play my guitar very well,” he recalled. “However, since I had one of the best amps (a Fender Super Reverb) in town, all the players would invite me to hang out with them. They would say, ‘Jay, bring your amp!’ Of course, they implied for me to leave my guitar at home. I understood.”

Jay went on to attend NIU in DeKalb and the seeds of a future in music were planted early on. In Jay's own words:
"I would really relate to the music of our time…The Beatles, The Stones, Crosby Stills & Nash, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Buffalo Springfield, Cat Stevens, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Arlo Guthrie, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Peter Paul & Mary, Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Steve Miller Band, Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd, Arthur Brown, Canned Heat, Cactus, Richie Havens – Actually I can go on and on. I guess these are my influencers. So much going on in our society and our music so related. These were the “Protest Singers” of our time! NIU had an awesome folk music scene on campus. I became very involved in the campus coffee house. We had weekly shows in the student center. I began by just helping out whether it was setting up tables, selling the tickets at the door and even helping set up the stage."

It became clear to Jay before graduation that he was "not cut out for a 9-5 job". Jay moved back to Pekin and married Peggy, his high school sweetheart - and shortly thereafter a son, Ian was born. And a decision was made - to make music his business: "There was a huge need in Central Illinois for a real album oriented record store – My son was just born – Thus, Peggy and I opened our first rock record store in Pekin, Illinois in the Summer of 1971 – IAN’S MUSIC PARLOR! I thought if I sold tickets to concerts, people would come in to buy tickets. But there weren't many concerts going on in those days, so I had to get into concerts. From there the rest of my life began!"

Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment was established by Jay Goldberg in 1971. The first concert promotion I was able to locate was from January 1971 - "Uriah Heap with Pork & The Havana Ducks at The Barn in Peoria". From its inception, JGEE has been dedicated to promoting major live music concerts and producing festivals and corporate events. Since the early days of rock ‘n’ roll, Jay has had the privilege of collaborating with some of the most prominent figures in the live music industry, cultivating strong relationships with major talent agencies, national and local promoters, and numerous venues across the country. While rock ‘n’ roll remains a significant focus, JG E&E has broadened its scope to include a wide range of entertainment genres, such as Country, Comedy, Jazz, R&B, Blues, World Beat, Bluegrass, Broadway Shows, Variety Acts, Speakers, and more. He's promoted over 3500 different acts throughout has career. In the early 2000's Jay formed a Festivals division of his company - resulting in, amongst others, the wildly successful "Summer Camp" festival at Chillicothe's 3 Sisters Park as well as Peoria's annual Illinois Blues and Heritage Festival. Jay's sons Ian and Arlan have followed in their father's footsteps.

What a cool job. Hanging out with stars!
Hanging out with stars is something Jay has done very well since 1971. By all accounts, he's one of the nicest guys a band or entertainer can hope to work with - and there have been plenty:

Elton John • The Eagles • Mumford & Sons • Zack Brown Band • John Mayer • Phil Lesh • Harry Connick, Jr. • Steve Miller Band • Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers • Wallflowers • Wynonna • Clint Black • Tool • Jane’s Addiction • Robin Williams • Steve Martin • Tool • Genesis • Grateful Dead • moe. • Fleetwood Mac • Umphrey’s McGee • Widespread Panic • Tom Petty • George Winston • Arlo Guthrie • Allman Brothers • Van Halen • Flaming Lips • Tina Turner • Air Supply • Kenny G • Whitney Houston • John Mellencamp • Willie Nelson • Diana Ross • KISS • B.B. King • Mavis Staples • Buddy Guy • Marshall Tucker Band • Skrillex • Bassnectar • Amy Grant • Fiona Apple • Kid Rock • Michael Bolton • OAR • REO Speedwagon • Bela Fleck & The Flecktones • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles • Here Come The Mummies • Christmas On Ice With Nancy Kerrigan • NBA pre-season Basketball Game • Team USA Olympic Volleyball • Broadway Shows – Spamalot • Cirque Dreams illumination • A Chorus Line • Fresh Beat

Jay Goldberg's impact on music in the Midwest - on music in general is immeasurable. Through it all - even as his business expanded, Jay and Peggy and the boys have always considered Pekin home. He has remained active in the community through his service on various charity boards, advisory committees and the Pekin Marigold Festival Committee.

And then there's the story of Jay hitchhiking to Chicago with the blind musician friend to see Jefferson Aeroplane...but, we'll save that for another time!