“Oz” organizers, Tom Morris, Monte Lorts, and Stan Melton offer several years of experience and a winning “track record” of bringing the best in live music to the Ozarks. They are proud to have joined forces to provide their expertise to the new and exciting, inaugural OZARKS MUSIC FEST (“The OZ”) on August 27-28, 2010 to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield. This 2-day event will feature some of the best national blues artists touring the country along with some New Orleans flavor in funk, soul, rhythm & blues, and everything in between.

Tom Morris and Theresa Masterson Morris

Tom Morris and his wife Theresa Masterson Morris own FM Productions, the leading concert promotion/production company in the Ozarks. They are excited to be a part of this brand new venture to help benefit the community.  Their portfolio of monster concerts range from Shinedown to Willie Nelson; Three Doors Down to Rob Zombie; and anywhere awesome in between. 

Monte Lorts

Monte Lorts served on the steering committee of the former Greater Ozarks Blues Festival for 9 years, and became the talent buyer for the festival in 2004.  He has put Springfield “on the map” with such artists as Buddy Guy, Delbert Mc Clinton, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Johnny Winter, Walter Trout, Elvin Bishop, Tab Benoit, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Shemekia Copeland, The Holmes Brothers, Leon Russell, Joe Bonamassa, JJ Grey and MOFRO, North Mississippi All-Stars and many, many more. Monte, Tom, and sponsors Jim Ellis Auto Sales, Terry Wyrick, and America’s Same Day Service currently bring world renown acts to Springfield via the Blues Down Under Concert Series, which has recently celebrated its four-year anniversary.

Stan Melton

Stan Melton, one of the founding fathers and former steering committee chairman of the 13-year old Greater Ozarks Blues Festival, brings his expertise front and center as he takes the reins to guide this new group of committed community stakeholders to success. Stan has dedicated years to community service and continues to serve this community as a leader and benefactor. One of his biggest projects has been the establishment and continued growth of the Missouri State University Ice Bears.

Us...

This is just the beginning of what will describe “us” in regards to this event.  We are already linking arms with key people who will be volunteering to man the grounds, organize vendors, set up artist hospitality, enlist volunteers, and take care of the hundreds of details that make up a premier event of this caliber.  We’re working hard to bring you the best; soon all we’ll need is you to join us by coming out to support live music and our children’s charities!

We are very excited and proud to bring the inaugural OZ to the Ozarks to support and raise funds for local children and families served by the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield in cooperation with the Heart of the Ozarks Sertoma Club of Springfield and the local Shrine.