The Windy City Smokeout is a BBQ and country music festival, featuring three days of live country music, beer, and BBQ in downtown Chicago, July 13-15. We had the chance to talk with breakthrough country artist, Jimmie Allen, about what we looks forward to most at the festival and how he likes his BBQ! He will be performing Sunday, July 15 at 6pm.
What are you looking forward to most playing the Windy City Smokeout this coming weekend? Getting to perform full band in Chicago for the first time. Chicago is a great city and I’m excited to be back.
What song are you most excited for fans to hear at the festival? That’s a tough one, either “Best Shot” or “Underdogs” the crowd reaction to both songs always blows me away.
Are fans going to be able to meet and talk with you during the festival? Yes! I love to meet people so I’ll be hanging out. Come say “hi!”
Who do you look forward to performing alongside the most? Kane Brown— I always love getting to see my friends play.
Who was your first concert? A Christian group called “DC Talk.”
Music festivals go hand in hand with food! What’s your favorite festival food? Chili fries
The Windy City Smokeout is about the Barbecue. So how do you like your Barbecue? Smoked, with a lot of sauces.
On Friday the festival is having the biggest “happy hour” of the summer. Since the next song of your “Slower Lower” Sessions is song, “Happy Hour,” can you tell us a little about the song and what is your go to happy hour drink? “Happy Hour,” is a fun summer jam that I wrote with my bassist, Tate Howell and Dallas Wilson. We did a little video for it where I went door-to-door and surprised folks in the office at my label with an impromptu “Happy Hour.” It was a blast! My happy hour drink is a whiskey and ginger ale.
Is there anything coming up for you that you’d like to share? Getting back on the Opry stage next week! Stepping into that circle was such an incredible moment and I can’t wait to do it all over again.