Hood Family to provide entertainment at Mahomet Soda Fest

By Brett McMahon

When The Hood Family Band takes the stage at the Mahomet Soda Festival on Saturday, June 10, it will mark their first time playing the event.

While Jennifer Hood, the primary lead singer for the group, played the event a couple of years ago with another band, she looks forward to sharing the spotlight with her parents and sister.

“We love these types of community events that bring people together and are excited to support a unique festival hosted by a great town,” she says, adding she believes we could all use a little more connection these days.

The event will also showcase vendors with crafts and other items, while more than 100 flavors of soda will be available for tasting and purchase.

As for what their show will offer to the festival, Hood says, “We offer a family-friendly atmosphere that all can enjoy (and maybe even sing along!). Our music selections span many decades, so we hope that folks can sit and enjoy with their loved ones, and maybe even bring back a few good memories.”

The band has been playing regularly for about 12 years but actually started long before that. Hood’s father, Jim, played in bluegrass and folk bands for many years, with Hood and her sister, Jerrica tagging along. She remembers trying to slip onstage a few times during her dad’s shows, so it was a natural fit. The family quartet, also consisting of mom, Penny, also played in church for many years.

Things started getting more serious after Jennifer graduated from Millikin University and learned to play guitar.

“It’s such a gift to get to make music with your family. It’s a unique bonding experience, and truly one of my favorite things in life,” she states. “Sometimes I’ll look over at my mom, dad, and sister while we’re singing one of our favorite songs and a wave of gratitude will just wash over me. 

“We’re also lucky in that we are all a pretty laid-back bunch. We don’t sweat the small stuff, and just try and take each moment as it comes. If we’re together and making music, we know it’s going to be a good day. And you really can’t beat the blood relative harmonies… I still get chills every show, even after playing together all these years!”

The Hood Family play their own instruments, with Jennifer on rhythm guitar and dad, Jim, playing guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and many other instruments. Their influences range from The Beatles to Emmylou Harris, John Prine to Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan among others with their blended harmonies showcased within the folk and bluegrass stylings.

Hood says while the band has not recorded an album, they hope to find their way into the studio to change that fact in the near future.

With a summer packed full of shows, the Mahomet Soda Festival is just one of many stops. The Hood Family Band will debut at the Rose Bowl in Champaign on July 1 and have concerts scheduled across Central Illinois with stops in Paxton, Shelbyville, and Decatur, just to name a few.