Kurt Neumann may make a living playing music but BoDeans founder and frontman said he still knows about struggling financially. That is partly why BoDeans is headlining the third annual Southside Summer Festival on July 20 at Marist High School’s stadium in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community. The fundraiser supports scholarships and financial aid for the school’s current and future students.
“In our society all too often there is a huge disparity between those who have and those who do not. It’s a big problem,” said Neumann, a Milwaukee native who lives outside Austin, Texas. “I was a kid who didn’t have much.
I couldn’t go to (college) because my parents didn’t have the money to put me in school. I just got a job instead so I understand where they’re coming from.” Soul 2 The Bone, which performs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.
m., covers music dating back to the 1960s including Motown, rhythm and blues, light rock, jazz, contemporary jazz, disco and pop. The Push Stars, which plays alternative pop from 6:30 to 7:30 p.
m., are led by Chris Trapper and have had songs featured on film soundtracks, including “There’s Something About Mary.” “Chris plays with us often.
He’s a great singer-songwriter himself. All their music works well with us,” said Neumann, who is also a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. “It’s well-crafted songs with beautiful melodies and singing from the heart, which is what we try to do as well — nothing trendy, just.