State of Sound closed at Chicago's Navy Pier this summer
New online version coming soon!
State of Sound: A World of Music from Illinois was a featured exhibit created by ALPLM which closed in 2021 ran for the summer of 2023.
From Muddy Waters to REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick to Earth Wind and Fire and Chance the Rapper, the land of Lincoln has produced some of the most highly celebrated music in rock history. Musicians, legendary radio stations, and musical gear have shaped the sonic history of Illinois and the world.
This one-of-a-kind exhibit showcases the achievements and contributions of Illinois’ finest in music. Written by award-winning author, documentary-producer and former Chicago Sun-Times Columnist and Critic, Dave Hoekstra.
The State of Sound Podcast
A production of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
A companion series to the blockbuster exhibit, The State of Sound, a World of Music from Illinois.
This bi-weekly podcast series dives deep into the stories behind the stories of the exhibit “The State of Sound” - with interviews from key players, artists, families, authors as well as historical perspectives. Did you miss the exhibit? Still want to listen to the soundtrack of our lives inspired by music from Illinois and hear the stories about the music and artifacts in the exhibit - check out the 21 episodes of The State of Sound Podcast series online.
Where to listen:
Episode 1
Exhibit Director Lance Tawzer interviews Tim McIlrath, the singer and guitarist from the punk powerhouse band, Rise Against.
Episode 2
ALPLM’s Joe Crain interviews REO Speedwagon’s lead singer and songwriter, Kevin Cronin.
Episode 3
State of Sound writer, Dave Hoekstra interviews Rosanna Goodman, the daughter of folk legend Steve Goodman.
Episode 4
ALPLM's Reggie Guyton interviews Gospel journalist and historian Robert Marovich.
Episode 5
State of Sound writer, Dave Hoekstra interviews Cheaa Mayfield, the son of Soul legend Curtis Mayfield.
Episode 6
ALPLM’s Lance Tawzer and UK contributor Gordon Lee interview international house music DJ and producer, Derrick Carter.
Episode 7
State of Sound writer, Dave Hoekstra interviews Jonathan Wright and Dawson Barrett authors of the new book Punks in Peoria.
Episode 8
ALPLM’s Joe Crain interviews guitarist and Styx founding member James "JY" Young.
Episode 9
State of Sound curator Lance Tawzer interviews Jazz Music legend Herbie Hancock.
Episode 10
ALPLM's Reggie Guyton interviews House Music legend Steve "Silk" Hurley. Production by ALPLM's Randy Erwin
Episode 11
ALPLM's Joe Crain interviews Michael Pettersen, historian for Shure, Inc. on the history of microphones.
Episode 12
State of Sound exhibit writer, Dave Hoekstra interviews Alex Dixon, the grandson of Blues Legend Willie Dixon.
Episode 13
State of Sound exhibit writer, Dave Hoekstra interviews Alt-Country legend Jon Langford, live in the State of Sound Studio.
Episode 14
ALPLM’s Exhibit Director, Lance Tawzer interviews Jimmy Chamberlin, the drummer from alternative rock superstars The Smashing Pumpkins.
Episode 15
State of Sound exhibit writer Dave Hoekstra interviews legendary Chicago radio personality, Terri Hemmert about her career on the air.
Episode 16
State of Sound Curator Lance Tawzer interviews Jeff Tweedy of Wilco about his career and Illinois roots.
Episode 17
Exhibit creator Lance Tawzer interviews Jeff Murphy, guitarist & singer for power-pop legend, Shoes, about their unique musical career journey.
Episode 18
State of Sound exhibit writer Dave Hoekstra sits down with Recycled Records owner Mark Kessler in the State of Sound Studios
Episode 19
State of Sound Curator Lance Tawzer sits down with Maggie Brown, singer, actor, educator and daughter of Oscar Brown Jr. in the State of Sound Studios
Episode 20
State of Sound exhibit writer Dave Hoekstra sits down with Music Photographer Paul Natkin in the State of Sound Studios
Episode 21
State of Sound Curator, Lance Tawzer, sits down in the State of Sound Studio with Music Historian, Bob Beatty to talk about the exhibit and all things music.
Episode 22
ChicagoFest Part 1 - State of Sound writer, Dave Hoekstra interviews Kathy Byrne, Marilynn Gardner, Norm Winer and Maxx Traxx members about ChicagoFest at Navy Pier
Episode 23
ChicagoFest Part 2 - State of Sound writer, Dave Hoekstra interviews Angelo Varias (Drummer for John Prine), Music photographer Paul Natkin and revisits with WRXT's Norm Winer about the history of the ChicagoFest music festival.
Episode 24
Writer and State of Sound Podcast Host Dave Hoekstra interviews Melody Spann Cooper, Chairman of Midway Broadcasting Corporation and talks about her family legacy of historic Black-owned radio in Chicago.
Episode 25
Writer and State of Sound Podcast Host Dave Hoekstra interviews Illinois folk musician and historian Bucky Halker about labor music and other topics.
Episode 26
Writer and State of Sound Podcast Host Dave Hoekstra interviews Navy Pier CEO Marilynn Gardner about her history, the Pier's history and future.
Episode 27
Writer and State of Sound Podcast Host Dave Hoekstra interviews drummer Angelo Varias about his experiences playing with John Prine and many others.
Episode 28
Writer and State of Sound Podcast Host Dave Hoekstra interviews members of Maxx Traxx / Third Rail about the Chicago groundbreaking band's history.
Episode 29
State of Sound curator, Lance Tawzer interviews musician, author, educator and museum director Martin Atkins.
Episode 30
State of Sound curator, Lance Tawzer interviews Recording Studio Executive Reid Hyams of Chicago Trax Recording.
Episode 31
Writer and State of Sound Podcast Host Dave Hoekstra interviews Dave Prine about the musical Prine family history. (Part 1)
Episode 32
Writer and State of Sound Podcast Host Dave Hoekstra interviews Dave Prine about the musical Prine family history. (Part 2)
The State of Sound Playlist
Listen to our curated playlists of the music from Illinois on Spotify.
Listen Here