By the age of 8, John Taylor was playing trombone and discovering a love of music and that love of music continues to be a major part of his life. Guitar lessons led him to join his friends in a band they called “Donald,” and he honed his craft during his teen years.
Later, he helped create the band “Dynoride” and knew then that making music was to be his future. Neither band is around these days, but Taylor said those experiences were to be a springboard for his ability to bring music to the area.
During college, he earned a bachelor’s in math and computer sciences and a master’s in instructional design, but he continued to perform. In 2014, front porch concerts where he entertained audiences on the weekend from this “stage” in Cambridge began.
With his expansive porch as a venue, he invited in other musicians from all over, providing his audiences with top-shelf entertainment. And to provide the events with more of a community feel and to ensure no one left hungry, the concerts included a potluck dinner. Attendees brought lawn chairs and blankets on which to sit.
In 2019, as word of his porch concerts grew, so did his audiences and he moved the venue to The Commons in downtown Bishop Hill. From The Commons, the “Crossroads Cultural Connections” would emerge three years later.
At the same time, Heartland Connections was added to promote all the musical happenings in the area, including the Levitt AMP Galva Music Series. Today, the potlucks continue, and the variety of professional musicians is ever-growing.
As an IT specialist, Taylor juggles a heavy schedule that also includes travel and music. In his spare time, he makes sure area students experience the music, and has arranged over 20 area school visits, bringing special music to approximately 8,600 students. Most recently, the Swedish dance group Jaerv (“Wolverine” in Swedish) took time from their US tour to perform for two local schools, bringing artistic expression to the area from across the sea.
All in all, since his start 10 years ago, he has hosted over 640 concerts, with 900 different performers, each for a suggested donation of just $15 – $25 – the biggest concert bargain in the area. Taylor estimates that his efforts have garnered an attendance of 26,000 avid fans.
Crossroads Cultural Connections is now a favorite of local music buffs, and it recently celebrated its second anniversary at the Bishop Hill location. With no plans to slow down, Taylor still hosts occasional concerts at his Cambridge home, where the familiar potlucks remain an added attraction and he continually scouts for more performers.
The performers, who are professionals, including a few Grammy winners, love to come to The Commons, Taylor said.
“They find the audiences so welcoming, and the potluck dinners are a fun surprise.”
When he’s not working his day job, arranging for performers, or assisting the Levitt Amp Committee, he spends time with his wife Stephanie and their children.
“They are my biggest motivators,” said Taylor.
He met his wife, a theater major, through music. She is now a massage therapist and together are the parents of Miles, 12, Anderson, 9 and Collette, 6.
Taylor also acknowledges his hard-working volunteer board of directors with much of his success. He is quick to admit that Crossroads could not exist without the assistance of Tom Campbell, Jason Bates, Barb Caravello, Carlin Follis and Clarke Novak.
“Their contributions have been invaluable”, said Taylor. “They help with marketing, setup, performer procurement, housing, hosting and fundraising. Crossroads Cultural Connections is here because of them.”
Board member Carlin Follis said that Taylor’s work with the Levitt AMP has brought great diversity to the music scene.
“John uses his contacts to reach out to artists, and he has helped bring artists such as Samantha Fish to the Galva summer series in the park,” said Follis, adding that his efforts to bring people together have been very successful.
Skerryvore, considered the number-one band in Scotland, will be performing at the Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg on Wednesday, March 6. Follis said Taylor has been essential in bringing the renowned performers back to the area and notes that “their music makes serious magic.”
Clarke Novak, a volunteer board member who assists with promoting both the Crossroads and the Levitt concerts, said the grassroots effort made by everyone helps bring the music to the area.
“Artists are blown away by the reception they get in the small towns of Bishop Hill and Galva” she said, and the reception those artists receive “feels like home.”
Taylor’s inspiration for Crossroads Cultural Connections is to leave a legacy of music for area residents.
“I want it to outlive me,” he said. “A place for music to thrive needs to go on.”
To ensure this legacy, he and his board recently created an endowment through the Galesburg Community Foundation. So far, they have raised nearly $90,000 with a goal of $100,00 by the end of this year.
“The endowment will help make what we are doing sustainable indefinitely,” said Taylor “and we hope more people will see the importance of supporting it.
The hardest part of his job, he said, is getting the word out to the community.
“People need to try us out. We have kept the cost low so everyone can enjoy the performances,” said Taylor.
He’s proud that those who do give the concerts a try continue to come as they discover the performances are great.
“We promise you won’t be disappointed,” he said.