“It was the best year so far. And 2025 is shaping up to be even better,” said John Taylor, reflecting on the many successes of the Crossroads Cultural Connection’s 2024 season.
Taylor is sharing those successes of Crossroads’ impact on communities, how far the organization has come and what the road ahead will look like.
“Since we began our programming in 2022, we have totaled 258 events, reaching almost 40,000 audience members,” said Taylor.
To date, 32 school programs have reached nearly 11,000 students. Last year topped the list at 96 events, with 12 of them performing at local schools.
Bringing performers to the area brings more than musical entertainment. According to Taylor, the Arts and Economic Prosperity Calculator shows that those who attend the concert venues contribute an estimated $1,123,500 to the local economy. He noted that gas, lodging, meals, souvenirs, and such things as childcare expenses add important dollars to the area.
Taylor, who is instrumental in bringing artists from around the world to Bishop Hill and Cambridge, said that a recent grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency will provide funding to hire several area youths for a portion of 2025.
“Getting our young people involved in these music venues is so important,” he said. “We need to plan for the future, and these young people are just that.”
News of the organization’s success goes beyond their Henry County location. Taylor said that Crossroads received the attention of the Music Policy Resilience Network, a cohort of 20 cities around the world that promotes music and culture in towns and villages that face unique geographical, economic, or sociological challenges.
“Being asked to be part of this initiative is terrific,” says Taylor. “Their mission is to demonstrate that music bolsters economies and improves livelihoods. And this area has been a perfect example.”
Taylor, his board and volunteers are always looking for future events to share with the community. In May, approximately 30 individuals will travel to Scotland to attend the band Skerryvore’s 20th anniversary concert at Floors Castle, the country’s second-largest inhabited castle.
“Skerryvore has traveled to the states several times and performed at Crossroads-promoted events six times and is returning to Galesburg’s Orpheum Theatre on April 9,” he said. “They have a huge fan base, worldwide, and we are excited to be able to return the favor and travel to them.”
Crossroad’s business is music, and running a business takes money. The organization began an endowment fund last year, with a goal of $100,000. At the time, Taylor was quick to point out that keeping the concerts going into the future was important for the next generations. The group was close to its goal when the opportunity to take over the Bishop Hill Creative Commons presented itself. The venue has held many concerts and is a great place for local artists to showcase and sell their wares.
As with most structures, necessary upgrades are in the process of being completed. Among them are new flooring, a small kitchen area, a welcoming “green room” for visiting artists, and other small upgrades.
Inside, the aging furnace and central air units have been replaced. On the outside, time, weather, and woodpeckers have damaged much of the building’s siding.
“Because the building is in a historical district, we must pay careful attention to what kind of siding is used,” said Taylor. “We want to keep it in line with the Village’s policies on replacement materials to stay true to the Swedish tradition.”
These necessary repairs and improvements reduced the Endowment Fund significantly, and more things are needed.
“For instance,” Taylor said, “the equipment we have used for years to live stream concerts stopped working. Replacement parts are no longer available, so we must look at purchasing a new streaming system.”
Taylor feels there is a strong record of success and room to grow. However, he recognizes that financial support is paramount to keeping Crossroads going.
“Donations, monetary or otherwise, are always welcome and needed,” he said. “We have costs of doing business as well as things on our wish list that we’d like to have when resources are available.”
Scheduling concerts, school programs, and building maintenance sessions keeps him busy. Adding to that is a full-time job as a computer programmer for a Cleveland, Ohio-based corporation, all of which he couldn’t do without his family’s support.
His wife Stephanie is a massage therapist and teaches Irish step dancing classes along with their daughter Collette. All the children do Irish dance and play fiddle, tin whistle, and Uilleann pipes (a form of bagpipe). Anderson and Colette also play piano. Miles is into theater, basketball, and cross-country.
Late spring, summer, and early fall concerts are held at Ca d’Zan (Taylor’s home in Cambridge located at 411 South Road) with winter events at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons (309 Bishop Hill St.). All of them begin at 6 p.m. with a potluck, followed by music at 7.
“Supporting the concerts, volunteering, and spreading the word among friends is always appreciated,” said Taylor. “And ideas for events are also welcome.”
For information on the concerts, how to support continuing efforts financially, or for general questions, go to www.xroadscc.org or email crossroadsculturalconnections@gmail.com.
Upcoming winter concerts at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons are as follows: (Dollar amounts in parenthesis indicate suggested donation.)
Saturday, Jan. 25 – Blame Not the Bard 10th Anniversary ($20-30)
Sunday, Jan. 19 – Ernie Hendrickson ($15-25)
Sunday, Jan. 26 – Colt Ball ($15-25)
Tuesday, Jan. 28 – Skye Consort & Emma Bjorling ($20-30)
Saturday, Feb. 1 – Chicago Farmer @ ($20-30)
Sunday, Feb. 2 – Sean Dagher’s Sea Shanty Extravaganza ($20-30)
Wednesday, Feb. 5 – David Francey ($25-35)
Sunday, Feb. 9 – Duke Oursler ($15-25)
Thursday, Feb. 20 – Morgan Myles ($20-30) Seats are selling out quickly
Sunday, Feb. 23 – Dan McGuire ($15-25)
Saturday, March 1 – Chloe Kimes ($20-30)
Sunday, March 2 – Ryanhood ($20-30)
Sunday, March 9 – Gallivant & Jerm Theory ($20-30)
Monday, March 10 – Heather Maloney & High Tea ($20-30)
Saturday, March 22 – Amanda Fish ($20-30)
Sunday, March 23 – Jake Rebman & The Waitin’ Rounders ($15-25)
Friday, March 28 – Dickie ($20-30)
Saturday, March 29 – Twin Flames ($20-30)
Sunday, March 30 – Dan Holmes ($15-25)
For tickets and other concert information, visit xroadscc.org/events. Information is also on the Crossroads Cultural Connection Facebook page.
