Jimi Jamison, Derek St. Holmes, The Romantics' Wally Palmar, Beaver Brown Band's John Cafferty and former Journey vocalist Kevin Chalfant will all take part in a benefit concert to aid those hit tornadoes in Illinois earlier this summer. Here is the announcement: On June 5th, 2010, a series of tornadoes hit several towns in a rural area 100 miles southwest of Chicago. Touchdowns in Peoria, Streator, Dwight, Elmwood and Kankakee left behind flattened homes, downed power lines and, in one instance, a derailed train. The communities affected by the devastation were left with the task of rebuilding their homes, their lives and their well being.
Kevin Chalfant, a long time resident of Streator is answering the call for aid. The storms of that night affected a number of good family friends and his beloved community. His plan? To hold an all star concert to support rebuilding efforts and counseling needed to cope with losses.
Currently, Kevin Chalfant is a member of Voices of Rock Radio, a group of national recording artists who tour together. He is a former lead singer for Journey and The Storm and was instrumental in the Alan Parsons Live Project and Shooting Star. He has earned a BMI award and Chicago Music Award and the devotion of fans around the world. The forthcoming benefit concert is Kevin's call to action for all to support the cause! Several companies have pulled together to form a force in bringing relief to these communities.
Horseshoe Casino and Talent Concepts Inc., along with Clique Productions and Dream Machines Car Club, are set to hold an all star benefit concert at The Venue (777 Casino Center Drive in Hammond, Indiana) on Saturday, September 4th to support rebuilding efforts and counseling needed to cope with losses.
The Voices of Rock Radio will be donating their time performing at The Venue, a 2500 seat theater. Jimi Jamison (famous for several hits including "Eye Of The Tiger," " Can't Hold Back," and "High On You"), Derek St. Holmes (vocalist and guitarist for the Ted Nugent Band known for such hits as "Cat Scratch Fever," "Stranglehold" and "Hey Baby"), Wally Palmar (lead singer for The Romantics who had a #1 hit with "What I Like About You" along with other hit singles such as "Talking In Your Sleep") and John Cafferty (who, along with The Beaver Brown Band, is best known for the #1 hits "On The Dark Side" and "C.I.T.Y." that were recorded for the popular 1983 movie, Eddie and the Cruisers) will be performing with Kevin Chalfant. Together they present an energetic concert filled with hit songs they made famous!
In addition to seeking corporate sponsors for the benefit, the website www.TornadoBenefit.com has been launched for individual donations. It contains photos of some of the devastation, information about the concert, and an area where you can make a donation.
Kevin is optimistic that, with the support of local corporations and citizens, the proceeds from the concert can bring some relief to the community.
Tickets -- which are $30, $40, $50 and $75 (only 100 "Golden Circle" tickets that include a pre-show meet and greet) -- are available by calling The Venue at Horseshoe Hammond box office at 219-473-6060 or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available online via the Ticketmaster website at www.ticketmaster.com. A limited number of VIP Suites will also be available for the show (630-373-3689).
The Venue will open at 6:00pm for Golden Circle ticket holders for the pre-show meet and greet. Other guests of the show can arrive beginning at 7:00pm for the 8:00pm show.