The Cornerstone Music Festival has a reputation all its own.  It started in 1984 by Jesus People USA as a place for fellowship, entertainment, education, edification.... and music.... lots and lots of music!  Having lived my whole life in Illinois, I was quite aware of Cornerstone's existence, but for one reason or another was never able to attend.  That all changed earlier this month.

Cornerstone is one of the largest (and THE most eclectic) Christian rock/music festivals in the world.  Thousands of people from all age groups, ethnicities, & backgrounds descend each year to a 500 acre patch of land in Bushnell, IL.  I had fair warning to expect some sensory overload.  I did learn that Cornerstone is far less an event and more so an experience.

Here are my top 4 reflections on my very first experience at the Cornerstone Music Festival:

1.  The event is better organized than I was expecting.  The amount of staff and volunteers needed to keep the environment safe, clean, and on schedule is simply staggering.  You can tell that much of the help has been doing this for years and years. I had heard that the event is put on by "hippie" types, so I was surprised to see such a smooth operation in action.

2.  Within seconds of arriving at Cornerstone Farm, I was washed over with a stress-free vibe.  I've been to concerts with just ONE band where I would see several people completely stressed out about the sound, the lighting, the ticket sales, etc.  I can't remember seeing 1 organizer, leader, or volunteer stressed out.  It's a laid back atmosphere... and that tone is present from the top down.

3.  Self-expression is highly encouraged.  I was a guy with short hair, no tattoos, wearing a t-shirt and blue jeans.... and I felt like a corporate, white-collar old fogey.  Cornerstone has always attracted people on the fringe of Christian society.  So if you have dreadlocks, piercings, a pink mohawk, hemp clothing, or black fingernails - although you might deal with acceptance issues at a local church - you will be firmly right at home at Cornerstone.  And if you want to begin your journey of self-expression, there are at least 2 tattoo and body piercing facilities on the grounds.  And if you like expressing yourself through art, besides the 15-hours/day of non-stop music, there is also an artist village where you can display paintings and sculptures and fellowship with other artists.

4.  Music is the centerpiece of Cornerstone -- always has been and always will be.  In under 5 days, about 300 bands played on over 20 stages.  There is music happening all around you, all the time.  With that many artists converging at the fest, you are bound to be introduced to new artists you've never heard of before.  Prior to Cornerstone, I had not heard the music of The Farewell Drifters, The Jox, Gabriel Kelley, Dignan, and several others.  Plus you can see artists that normally don't hang out at your traditional Christian music fest -- like Over The Rhine, The Wayside, Eastern Block, Deas Vail, Eisley, and mewithoutYou.

Episode #90 of UTR is dedicated to the artists I saw live at Cornerstone 2010, or music recommendations given to me by festival attendees.  Plus we have exclusive videos, a photo gallery, and a Cornerstone contest to check out on our site.  Visit the UTR Facebook Page to find even more Cornerstone exclusives.