The Cornerstone Festival: 10 Years Gone (and counting…)

John Thompson June 28, 2022

The original Woodstock Festival happened once. The Cornerstone Festival, however, gathered an unlikely and diverse group of rock and rollers from around the world to two different pieces of land 29 years in a row. Even as the so-called “Jesus Movement,” of the late 60s, and its’ fascinating musical soundtrack, transformed throughout the 80s into more of a subculture than a counterculture, and “Contemporary Christian Music” became more mainstream, Cornerstone kept the fire of revolution burning. With a radical lineup – both musically and educationally – this event was unique in the world. It was responsible for launching several artists not only into the thriving underground, but to mainstream rock, alternative, and metal success as well.

The final Cornerstone Festival happened in July of 2012 and on this special edition of the True Tunes Podcast we revisit the event both through archival interviews and performance audio, and newly recorded interviews with some of the festival’s founders. We hear from some of our listeners about the ways Cornerstone impacted them, and co-producer Bruce A. Brown even interviews our host, John J. Thompson, for his perspective. True Tunes traces its roots directly to this incendiary event – when John was just a 13-year-old kid watching The 77s, Rez Band, and others in a field outside of Chicago. We’ll hear that story and a lot more.

If you were ever at Cornerstone, you know. If not – take a listen and hear about one of the most unlikely, insane, wonderful, and influential events few people have ever heard of. We’ll also ponder what we miss most about it ten years later – and what, if anything, we might do about that.

If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our SWAG STORE.

Click HERE to see the Full 20 Years and Counting Documentary produced by JJT and Jeremy Gudauskas in 2003.

News About JJT’s Upcoming Novel – deeply inspired by the spirit of Cornerstone:

The Music of Cornerstone: Ten Years Gone (and counting…)

SET 1:

Chagall Guevara – Escher’s World (1991)

Daniel Amos – New Car (1984)

77s – Rocks In Your Head (2000)

The Crossing (2008 “Cornerstone Transmissions”)

Undercover – I Am the Resurrection (2000 -YouTube video by “maxcap60”)

Marc Byrd – God of Wonders (2005)

Altar Boys – You Are Loved (2000 – Greatest Hits “Live at Cornerstone”)

Stryper – To Hell With The Devil (2001)

SET 2:

Resurrection Band – Waves (Twenty Years CD)

Sixpence None The Richer – Drifting (1994 – YouTube video by “Terry Cox”)

Rich Mullins and A Ragamuffin Band ft. Rick Elias – Dance With Me Tonight (1997 – Ragamuffin Archive)

The Violet Burning – Low (2007 – sting like bees and sing/Live at Cornerstone 2007)

Pillar, Stavesacre, Blindside, Project 86 (2002 Main Stage)

Adam Again – It Is What It Is (1997 – YouTube video by “BigDork”)

DeGarmo & Key – Emmanuel (2008 Reunion set)

77s – Do It For Love (2012 – YouTube video by “petra777”)

Larry Norman – Why Should The Devil Have All the Good Music (2001)

SET 3:

Mark Heard – Freight Train To Nowhere (1992 – Mystery Mind CD)

77s – Someone New (1984 – YouTube video by “BigDork”)

Daniel Amos – Sanctuary (1985 – Live at Flevo, from the Vox Humana Deluxe Edition)

Over the Rhine – Lovers In a Dangerous Time (2010 – Good Dog Bad Dog Live)

Rich Mullins and A Ragamuffin Band – Brother’s Keeper (1997 – Live From Studio B – Ragamuffin Archive)

Iona – Flight of the Wild Goose (2004 – Live In London)

The O.C. Supertones – Supertones Strike Back (2017 – Live! Vol. 2)

Vigilantes of Love – Could Be a Lot Worse (1998 remastered recording courtesy Bruce Neher)

Lost Dogs – Breathe Deep (1996 – The Green Room Serenade Part Tour)

P.O.D. – Alive (2010 – YouTube video by “Rock Legendas”)

Charlie Peacock Acoustic Trio – Whole Lot Different (1988 – Flevo Festival)

The Wayside – So Long (2000 – Greatest Hits “Live at Cornerstone”)

Clouds Echo In Blue – This is How I Feel (2011 – Clouds Echo In Blue)

The Choir – To Bid Farewell (2012 – YouTube video by “petra777”)

Major sources include Cornerstone Documentaries 1984 & 1989 by WCFC-TV-38 (Chicago); Official Cornerstone Festival Scrapbooks 2001 & 2002; Cornerstone Festival 20 Years and Counting DVD (Produced and Directed by JJT and Jeremy Gudauskas.)

On the Soapbox – Bill Mallonee – Best Seat In the Room (Exclusive instrumental mix)

As always… Phil Keaggy & Rex Paul – Full Circle (the exclusive True Tunes instrumental theme mix)

(We recommend hitting “shuffle play” on this Jukebox)