Metro-East News

Shiloh dedicates plaque honoring the late George Portz - band leader, fiddler, businessman

Belleville News-Democrat
Mayor Robert Weilmuenster dedicates a plaque to the late businessman and bluegrass musician. “This was George’s backyard,” Weilmuenster said, “he loved playing here.”
Mayor Robert Weilmuenster dedicates a plaque to the late businessman and bluegrass musician. “This was George’s backyard,” Weilmuenster said, “he loved playing here.” Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat

The community of Shiloh dedicated a plaque on Friday night honoring the late George Portz, band leader, nationally renowned fiddler and promoter of bluegrass music in southern Illinois and eastern Missouri for more than 50 years.

Portz, of Shiloh, passed away in January. He was 70.

Sixteen-year-old George Portz, left, became the youngest winner of a state open fiddle championship in 1969. He died Jan. 9 after more than 50 years playing bluegrass music.
Sixteen-year-old George Portz, left, became the youngest winner of a state open fiddle championship in 1969. He died Jan. 9 after more than 50 years playing bluegrass music. Provided

The plaque, commissioned and donated by a close family friend, is at a new pavilion, on the site where George and his band performed for years at the annual Shiloh Homecoming Picnic.

Kathie Pohlman, a 35-year member of George Portz’s Friends of Bluegrass Band, designed the memorial, and Tisch Monuments made the arrangements for the completion of the project.

Over the years, George Portz and the Friends of Bluegrass performed with or opened for national artists such as Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent and many others. President Ronald Reagan heard the band perform in 1986 at the Illinois State Fair.

Portz’s influence touched many people in southern Illinois, Missouri and around the bluegrass world, including the scores of children whom he taught how to play the fiddle.

Portz was born to Harold and Kathaleen Portz in 1952 in Granite City and moved to Shiloh in the 1960s, according to his obituary.

He followed in the fiddling footsteps of his mother and grandfather, Perry Biggs. Sixteen-year-old George won the Illinois open fiddle championship in 1969, making him the youngest state champion in the United States, and he went on to capture a national title 12 years later. Also in 1969, Biggs won the Illinois contest’s senior division.

Mayor Robert Weilmuenster dedicates a plaque to the late businessman and bluegrass musician. “This was George’s backyard,” Weilmuenster said, “he loved playing here.”
Mayor Robert Weilmuenster dedicates a plaque to the late businessman and bluegrass musician. “This was George’s backyard,” Weilmuenster said, “he loved playing here.” Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat

On Friday night, Shiloh Mayor Robert Weilmuenster led the dedication of the plaque honoring Portz. Members of Portz’s family were among those who attended.

“This was George’s backyard,” Weilmuenster said. “He loved playing here.”

Shiloh’s homecoming began Friday, and once again, Portz’s band performed.

Members of the late George Portz’s bluegrass band play “Paradise” by John Prine during Shiloh, Ill.’s homecoming at Shiloh Community Park on Sept. 8, 2023.
Members of the late George Portz’s bluegrass band play “Paradise” by John Prine during Shiloh, Ill.’s homecoming at Shiloh Community Park on Sept. 8, 2023. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Members of George Portz’s family pose with Mayor Robert Weilmuenster in Shiloh, Ill. next to a plaque to the late businessman and bluegrass musician. Before and after the dedication, members of Portz’s old group played bluegrass songs ranging from John Pine’s “Paradise” to “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”
Members of George Portz’s family pose with Mayor Robert Weilmuenster in Shiloh, Ill. next to a plaque to the late businessman and bluegrass musician. Before and after the dedication, members of Portz’s old group played bluegrass songs ranging from John Pine’s “Paradise” to “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat

This story was originally published September 9, 2023 at 10:34 AM.

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