REO Speedwagon returns to the Midwest to headline the Ridin’ the Storm Out – Floods of 2008 Relief Concert to be held July 16 at Prairie Meadows in Polk County, IA, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to flood victims. The Little River Band is the special guest, with additional guests TBA.
Tickets are priced at $20, go on sale July 2, and are available in person at the Meadows Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster Express at 866-448-7849. In support of this benefit, Ticketmaster has agreed to waive all convenience and handling fees.
Prairie Meadows has underwritten the entire cost of this concert, which includes all ticket sales and revenue from a silent auction to be held that evening. Corporate and media organizations voicing support for this endeavor have been increasing by the hour. A Web site linked to Prairie Meadows detailing additional information and funding opportunities is expected to be up and running on or around July 1.
All checks should be made payable to “2008 Flood Relief and Recovery Fund” and mailed to the Prairie Meadows Accounting Department, PO Box 1000, Altoona, IA 50009-0901. Monetary donations may also be deposited in any of the flood relief barrels placed throughout the Prairie Meadows facility through July 16. Prairie Meadows will deliver the donations to The Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, which has volunteered to act as a conduit in distributing the donated funding directly to Polk County for the flood victims.
REO Speedwagon recently performed a 16-song set in Chicago, recorded in Hi-Definition for the hit PBS concert series, Soundstage. “REO Speedwagon: Live in the Heartland (2008)” airs on July 3 at 9 PM CDT. Kevin Cronin (lead vocals, guitar), Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums) perform in front of fans on their home turf, spanning REO’s 35-year career – from the Number 1 hits “Keep On Loving You” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling” to tracks from their most recent album release, “Find Your Own Way Home.”
REO Speedwagon itinerary:
(Dates subject to change)
| July 1 | Muskegon, MI | Heritage Landing |
| July 3 | St. Paul, MN | Harriet Island Park |
| July 4 | Naperville, IL | Naperville Ribfest |
| July 5 | Elizabethtown, KY | Freeman Lake Park |
| July 9 | Lansing, MI | Common Ground Festival Adado River Park |
| July 10 | Interlochen, MI | Interlochen Center (Kresge Auditorium) |
| July 11 | Beloit, WI | Beloit Riverfest |
| July 12 | Merrillville, IN | Star Plaza Theatre |
| July 16 | Polk County, IA | Prairie Meadows (Flood Relief benefit) |
| July 17 | Effingham, IL | The Rosebud Theatre |
| July 18 | Fond du Lac, WI | Fond du Lac County Fair |
| July 19 | Riverside, IA | Riverside Casino and Golf Resort |
| July 31 | West Allis, WI | Wisconsin State Fair |
| August 1 | Wausau, WI | Wisconsin Valley Fair (Grandstand) |
| August 2 | Sterling Heights, MI | Sterlingfest Dodge Park |
| August 7 | Trumbull, CT | Indian Ledge Park |
| August 8 | Cumberland, MD | Firefighters Sportsmens Bash |
| August 9 | Asheville, NC | Biltmore Estate |
| August 11 | Waldorf, MD | Regency Furniture Stadium |
| August 14 | Pittsburgh, PA | PNC Park at North Shore |
| August 15 | Lockport, NY | Moslon Canal Concert Series |
| August 16 | Columbus, OH | The LC Pavillion |
| August 17 | Greenville, OH | Darke County Fair |
| August 23 | Detroit, MI | Joe Louis Arena |
| October 2 | Valley Center, CA | Harrahs Rincon Open Sky Theater |
| October 3 | Reno, NV | The Silver Legacy |
| October 4 | Wendover, NV | Peppermill Concert Hall |
| October 10 | Oranjestad, Aruba | Aruba Entertainment Center |
| October 18 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Roberto Clemente Coliseum |
| October 24 | Champaign, IL | Assembly Hall University of Illinois |
| October 25 | Evansville, IN | The Centre |
| October 26 | Wabash, IN | Honeywell Center |
