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Contemporary Christian Music artist and 2018 Grammy Award winner Zach Williams has often credited Big Daddy Weave's song "Redeemed" for turning his life around. On the brink of a failed marriage and beset by personal demons, Williams heard the song on his bus during a tour with his secular band, The Reformation, in 2012. Williams almost immediately broke up the band and headed back to his family. Last year, Mike Weaver, who co-wrote the song and fronts Big Daddy Weave, [...]

One thing country star Brantley Gilbert promises when he releases a new album is he’s not going to throw fans of his earlier albums for a loop. “I want to avoid the situation … when you really fall in love with a band, and it’s just you love them and you love an entire record that they do, and then they release another record and it’s like ‘What the hell happened?’” said Gilbert, who closes the Illinois State Fair on Sunday [...]

Members from more than 45 Park Districts from across Illinois will entertain fairgoers and host activities throughout the fairgrounds, including inside Conservation World.Here are a few highlights for Saturday:• Swine Barn: Berkshire Swine Show at 8 a.m.• Jr. Livestock Building: Jr. Pygmy Goat Show at 8:30 a.m.• Sheep Barn: Cotswold, Border Leicester Show at 9 a.m.• Livestock Center: Park District Pentathlon at 11:45 a.m. [...]

Looking for something to do this weekend that's not the state fair? Check out the opening of "Big River," a musical retelling of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. We sit down with director Rich McCoy, cast member Kimberly Johnson and Director of the Hoogland Gus Gordon to talk about the show and what we're looking forward to. Big RiverWhen: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Aug. 24, 2 and 8 p.m. Aug. [...]

Flo Rida and Ludacris perform at the Illinois State Fair on Saturday. Flo Rida is another hip hop artist well known for his songs “Low” and “Whistle.” Ludacris is another hip hop artist known for his role as Tej Parker in the “Fast and Furious” franchise.Flo Rida, a four-time Grammy nominee, was launched to stardom with the song “Low” in 2008. All of his [...]

Friday is First Responder Day at the Illinois State Fair. All police officers, firefighters, and EMTs who show their badge at the gate will be admitted to the Illinois State Fair for free. Here are some highlights from today's schedule:• Hobbies, Arts and Crafts Building: Project Linus Quilt Day, starting at 9:00 a.m.• Thrillville: Two Blondes and a Redhead Hypnotists at Noon• Rising Star Stage: Illinois State Fair Karaoke Finals at 2:00 p.m. [...]

It might seem like the heat of the summer will never end, but it won’t be long before there is a chill in the air, the leaves begin to turn and you’re packing up your swimsuits and summer attire. With the new school year upon us and cooler temperatures, fall can be a perfect time to put a new wardrobe together or see what you can use from years past. To help you get into the fall fashion season, here are a few podcasts to listen to.Fashion HagsAfter meeting [...]

It’s not a very good title, but it’s a beautifully made film, and is one of those rare pieces of commercial cinema that works equally well for all ages. Set 20,000 years ago in the then-mostly unsettled wilds of Europe, it opens on a group of men, crawling on the ground, spears in hand, approaching a herd of bison. It’s this tribe’s annual hunt before the rugged winter closes in. Things go terribly wrong, especially for young Keda [...]

A line of strong thunderstorms prompted the cancellation of Thursday night's Thomas Rhett county music concert at the Illinois State Fair Grandstand and causing some parking changes at the fairgrounds on Friday morning.Fair officials initially delayed Thursday's show just after opener Danielle Bradbery finished her set and before Rhett was to take the stage. The audience was evacuated to underneath the Grandstand. As the storms endured, the concert was eventually called off. [...]

Brett Eldredge, who grew up in Paris, Illinois, takes to his home state fair's Grandstand on Friday, a man whose hard work has paid off.Considered one of the top male country music performers, the 32-year-old Eldredge’s latest album for Atlanta Records/Warner Music Nashville said he wanted this self-titled album to stand out from his previous releases over the last seven years.“I ventured out to make something that would really stand out among all my records," he [...]