While many Mahomet residents are already excited about the return of Sidewalk Prophets to the Sangamon River Music Festival on August 29, bassist, and former Mahomet resident Cal Joslin is just excited to play in front of his hometown crowd.
“The first time we played the Sangamon River Music Festival we were all blown away at the turnout and reception,” Joslin said. “It was a memorable day for sure getting to see family and friends, some of whom I had not seen in years. I think it’s always different for any of us when we play a hometown show, it just feels different when you are performing in front of people who may have known you for most of your life.”
Joslin said that hometown support is always encouraging when the band plays in front of family and friends.
“It really means a lot to us when people from our hometown communities show up for a show, say hi to us, send us messages or do anything to let us know that they are praying for us and support what we do,” he said. “Being invited back to play the festival again this summer means a lot and is really exciting!”
Joslin, who grew up in a musical family, started taking piano lessons at age eight and then later picked up the guitar and bass in his early teenage years. As soon as Joslin got the hang of the bass, he formed a band, “The Other Side,” with friends. He also played at church and in a country western group called “Back in the Saddle.”
At Belmont University, Joslin majored in music with a focus on electric bass.
“While there I grew a lot musically, spending most of my time playing in different groups, with a lot of different people, and a lot of different styles,” Joslin said. “I think being in an environment where you are constantly stretching yourself musically was really good for me and definitely helped prepare me for playing music in the real world.”
Joslin then met Ben McDonald and Dave Frey, who started Sidewalk Prophets at Andersen University in Indiana, when they moved to Tennessee in 2007. McDonald and Frey put an ad for a bass player, a drummer and a lead guitar player on Craigslist. Once Joslin answered, he began playing with them, and has been for eight years.
As a Christian, Joslin said the experience of playing with Sidewalk Prophets has “affirmed to us that God is good and the same no matter who you are or where you are from, and that we all need His mercy and grace.”
With a new record underway, Sidewalk Prophets new “Great Big Living Room” tour is sure to bring new and inspiring music. Based out of Nashville, the band has continued to top the Christian Billboard Charts with songs such as “You Love Me Anyway,” “The Words I Would Say” and “You Can Have Me.”
Sidewalk Prophets will play at 11 a.m. WBGL and local churches provide funding for the Sangamon River Music Festival Christian Act.
