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Stomp the Blues Out of Homelessness festival celebrates 15 years of music, community and fundraising

A flyer advertising the Stomp the Blues out of Homelessness festival on June 13, featuring live music and benefiting several local charities.
Stomp the Blues Out of Homelessness
A flyer advertising the Stomp the Blues out of Homelessness festival on June 13, featuring live music and benefiting several local charities.

Event founder Jim Payne stopped by the Arts News studio to discuss the milestone year for the long-running event and how it supports local community organizations while bringing nationally touring musicians to Springfield, including this year's headliner, Anders Osborne.

"It's going to be awesome," Payne said. "You know, I love Anders Osborne, and I've been trying to get him here for a number of years. As a musician, sometimes the schedule or whatever doesn't work out, but now's the time."

Osborne will headline this year's Stomp the Blues Out of Homelessness festival on June 13, joining several other performers for the annual fundraiser supporting organizations that work with people experiencing homelessness.

Other artists scheduled to perform include Chase Walker, Marcus Trummer and The Brenda Meyer Band.

Payne said the event began after he and his wife, Paige, spent time preparing meals for a local homeless drop-in center.

With support from local volunteers and musicians, Payne organized the first festival lineup in 2011.

"Our mission is to try to plug some gaps that professional service agencies need help with," Payne said. "Mostly youth-oriented organizations."

However, Payne noted the festival's largest benefactor is Women in Need of the Ozarks.

The event will take place at the American Legion Post baseball field and will include a variety of food vendors.

Payne added that VIP tickets include admission for six guests along with a reserved tent, table and chairs.

Tickets for the festival can be found on their website, as well as at Kaleidoscope.

Copyright 2026 KSMU

Jimmy Rea