About

Downstate Sounds is a radio show, blog and YouTube channel that explores the musical past of Illinois outside of Chicagoland from the 1930s through the 1980s. 

Rock, folk, psychedelic, soul, country, funk, blues, gospel and jazz records from the Land of Lincoln with a preference for the overlooked, forgotten and unknown musicians, concerts, record labels and recording studios of downstate Illinois.

Downstate Sounds is a complete labor of love.   We do not make money on any of this.  We don't sell ads, branded merchandise or records that we write about.  We don't take monetary donations and are uncomfortable with compliments.

If you see something on this website that you feel is inaccurate or inappropriate, please get in touch and we'll do our best to fix it or take it down.

If you or someone you know made a record between 1930 and 1990 and you would like us to write about it, please reach out to us.   We love a good story and always looking for something to write about.

The radio show is currently on hiatus.  In the past the show aired Thursdays at 8 pm on WESN 88.1 FM in Bloomington, Illinois.  An archived stream of past shows are available on this blog.