I guess I just needed a break, some time to be a daddy, a husband, a friend, a lover, a neighbor, a coach, and finally a songwriter. All of those roles led me to finishing my first new tune in nearly a year. For me, there is no feeling quite like playing a freshly created song for the first time. Then comes the anxiety laden adventure of parading my latest in front of the band.
Now, I am one of the fortunate few songwriters who has a full time band, by the name of REO Speedwagon, who hunger for their chance to take this little morsel I just cooked up, and feast upon it. Like a pack of coyotes eying a plump little bunny, they prepare their chops, as they listen and learn the nuances of every chord change and rhythmic passage. Each attempts to embrace, then capture, the flow of music and emotion which has been laid before them.Being a part of the process, as well as an observer, is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. I feel honored by the care which the guys take in building my little folk song into an REO Speedwagon song. I am a very lucky guy.
In the midst of the song building process, we find time to do what Bruce and Neal actually traveled cross-country to join forces with Dave, Bryan, and me to do...rehearse for the upcoming summer tour. Yes, we still really do rehearse ;-).The upcoming "Love On The Run Tour" with REO and Pat Benatar, plus special guest singer/songwriters such as Edwin McCain and Keaton Simons, fires up in mid-June, and runs through October 2010. We are very pumped to be out with Pat and Neil Giraldo for the first time since 1995.
This year, and 2011, will mark the 30 year anniversary of the recording, release, and phenomenal success story of our Hi Infidelity album, which is a part of just under ten million people's record collections. I am not much into nostalgia, I prefer looking forward, growing, and creating new music, but this particular anniversary is just too special. We have chosen to embrace, and celebrate, this most magical series of events, and share this unbelievable feeling with the whole REO Family.
So, starting with the four sold-out shows this weekend with Styx and 38 Special, in Rockford, Springfield, Louisville, and Toledo, we will pay homage to the album, which after ten years of touring and recording, put our band on the map in 1981. We will be playing Hi Infidelity songs which have been rarities on our set lists over the years, including visual images from that time period in our stage production, and featuring special items at the merch stand to commemorate the album which altered the history of our band so immeasurably.
I am looking forward to including all of you, our most loyal fans, as we look back, and forward, through the next eighteen months. Hold on babe, here we go!
kc
Tour Dates 2010
February 24, 2010
Rockford Metro Centre
Rockford, IL
February 25, 2010
Prairie Capital Convention Center
Springfield, IL
February 26, 2010
Freedom Hall
Louisville, KY
February 28, 2010
Lucas County arena
Toledo,OH (with Styx & 38 Special)
March 03, 2010
National Auditorium Paseo de la Reforma No 50
Bosque de Chapultepec Mexico City
March 04, 2010
Arena Monterrey Conchello Esq. Madero
Monterry, Mexico
March 11, 2010
Florida Strawberry Festival
Plant City, FL
March 12, 2010
House of Blues
North Myrtle Beach, SC
March 13, 2010
Mercer Theatre
Savannah, GA
March 26, 2010
Genesse Theatre
Waukegan, IL
March 27, 2010
Rialto Square Theatre
Joliet, IL
April 10, 2010
Crystal Grand Music Theatre
Lake Delton, WI
April 16, 2010 - IP Casino Resort and Spa
Biloxi, MS
April 17, 2010 - Wild Adventures Theme Park
Valdosta, GA
April 22, 2010 - Fillmore Auditorium
Denver, CO
April 23, 2010 - Peppermill Concert Hall
Wendover, NV
May 28, 2010 - Riverwind Casino
Norman, OK
May 29, 2010 - Farmers Branch Memorial Day Celebration/Gussie Field Watterworth Park
Farmers Branch, TX
May 30, 2010 - Winstar Casino
Thackerville , OK
June 19, 2010 - Freedom Fest - La Crosse Municipal Airport
La Crosse, WI
July 30, 2010 - Agua Caliente Casino
Hope Drive Rancho Mirage, CA
October 01, 2010 - Gretna Heritage Festival
Gretna, LA
Okay, it seems like yesterday that we were all worried that the internet was going to implode and all of our computers would crash on New Years 2000...and REO was booked in Las Vegas for the big night. Well, as it turns out, the Y2K disaster, while never amounting to anything, would be nothing compared to the onslaught of world changing events which actually have occurred during this first decade of the 21st Century. But we survived. I continue to believe in the power of a positive attitude, and its ability to carry us through the most trying of times.
With that in mind, I am looking forward to the coming year. We are finalizing plans for another great touring season in 2010, as we approach the 30th anniversary of the release of our "Hi Infidelity" album next December...yes, it has been thirty years. Unbelievable!
So Happy Holidays to all of you who have been with us on our journey this past year, and this past decade, and these past four decades. We have come a long way together, and we have a long way to go.
Keep pushin',
kc
ps. If you live in Southern California, be sure and tune in to the KTLA Morning Show on channel 5. Dave, Bryan and I will be hanging out, and playing a couple of unplugged songs at around 8:30-9:00 AM on Wednesday, December 16. Also look for us on Extra!
UPDATE ON REBROADCAST OF THE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION ON ICE SPECIAL
What:
Holiday Celebration on Ice
When:
Thursday, December 24th, 2009
Time:
6pm (EST), 5pm (CST), 3pm (PST)
Where:
Hallmark Channel (check your local listings for channel information)
There will also be a second rebroadcast after the Holiday on Sunday December 27th at 1am (EST), 12am (CST) and 10pm (PST).
Cast:
Brian Boitano,Elvis Stojko,Jeffrey Buttle,Jozef Sabovcik,Michael Weiss,Steven Cousins,Caryn Kadavy,Shae-Lynn Bourne,Marie-France Dubreuil & Patrice Lauzon.
Musical Guest Stars:
REO Speedwagon & Rick Springfield
Game Facts: More than 70 Game Levels with "Hidden Object" scenes, puzzles, and other mini-games. More than a dozen REO songs used throughout the game. Reach certain milestones in the game and you'll unlock brand new recordings of "CHILDREN GO WHERE I SEND THEE" and a re-recording of the REO classic, "ROLL WITH THE CHANGES".
Click here to BUY the game.
Fan Appreciation Christmas Package
Tis' the season to save!
Hurry Only 1 day left to buy
Special REO Speedwagon Fan Appreciation Gift Pack!
Package includes:
1 Autogrpahed "Not So Silent Night...Christmas with REO Speedwagon" CD
1 "No So Silent Night" Tee
(Please see store for pictures of these items.)
This package Makes a great gift for the whole family!
Order now to receive your item's before the Holidays.
REO Holiday Savings & *Fan Appreciation Price: 25.00 + Shipping. *
Retail Value: $45.00
Click here to visit the Store.
Hi Everybody,
Okay, I was scared. Yes, you heard me right. It has been a long time since I have felt real stage fright, but I was shaking in my Beatle boots last Thursday in Little Rock.
We were gathered just off stage left, along with Rick Springfield, and an amazing group of world champion figure skaters, including Brian Boitano and Peggy Fleming. Everyone was buzzing with excitement as the house lights went down. We took the stage, and the skaters took to the ice with such power and grace. When Neal played the intro to, "Can't Fight This Feeling", and I sang the opening lines, I finally felt a wave of calm come over me. We were off and running, or skating in this case, on NBC's Holiday Celebration on Ice...Classic Rock edition. All of the hours of preparation kicked in just in time, and we had a great show. We played some of our hits, and four songs from "Not So Silent Night". Rick sat in on "Roll With The Changes", and by the end of the song all the skaters were dancing around the stage with us. The airdate is Sunday, November 29th, 4PM - 6PM (EST), 3PM - 5PM (CST), 1PM - 3PM (PST).
Click here for details.
But that was not all that went on this past week...the final days of the 2009 Can't Stop Rockin tour...
The week began in Nashville, where two of my favorite country music artists showed up to jam with us on "Roll With The Changes". When we arrived at the Sommet Center, we heard this beautiful voice reverberating through the backstage area. Turns out that Martina McBride, perhaps the purist natural singer in country music, was rehearsing with her band in the sound stage, which connects to the dressing room area. I was told that her and her husband, Johnny, are REO fans, and wanted to meet us. Turns out they are from Wichita, Kansas, right in the heart of REO Country, and have been fans since they were dating. Then, word got around the Brad Paisley was coming to the show, and the buzz backstage was palpable. Dave and I had met Brad at a benefit concert we played together a few years back, so it was cool of him to come down. I really didn't expect it, but both Brad and Martina came up for "Roll", and the audience went wild. Standing on stage in Nashville, with Brad to my left and Martina to my right, the band rocking full tilt, singing that song...it was another unbelievable moment that music has allowed me to experience.
Meanwhile, there is an awesome, on-line video game based on our music, being released on December 3rd. The game is called, "Find Your Own Way Home", and it will be available through all the major on-line outlets. Players search for cool stuff, remix our music, and have a chance to win "Golden Tickets", which get you backstage passes, and even a chance to sing on "Roll With The Changes" in a live concert! Not to mention, we all think our avatars are quite handsome ;-)
Okay, I am exhausted just thinking about this past week, but the best part is that I get to meet up with my family next Tuesday, after over a month away from home. I can't wait to snuggle up and watch "Glee" with my daughter Holly, to shoot hoops in the yard with Josh and Shane, and you can use your imagination on what I can't wait to do with my wife, Lisa!
Have a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday. Watch us on NBC on Thanksgiving Sunday. And, big thanks to all of you who came out to see us play in concert this year. Plans are under way for 2010, as we speak...it's true, we really can't stop rockin'. I'll be in touch...
kc
Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving from Kevin, Bruce, Neal, Dave and Bryan.
Effective Monday November 23rd the 2009
Fan Appreciation Christmas Package
will be available!Tis' the season to save!
Hurry Only 23 days left to buy our
Special REO Speedwagon Fan Appreciation Gift Pack!
Package includes:
1 Autogrpahed "Not So Silent Night...Christmas with REO Speedwagon" CD
1 "No So Silent Night" Tee
(Please see store for pictures of these items.)
This package Makes a great gift for the whole family!
Order now to receive your item's before the Holidays.
REO Holiday Savings & *Fan Appreciation Price: 25.00 + Shipping. *
Retail Value: $45.00
Click here to visit the Store.
TUNE-IN ALERT
What:
Scotch Brand Holiday Celebration on Ice
When:
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Time:
1:00pm - 3:00pm PST
Where:
NBC(check your local listings for channel information)
Cast:
Brian Boitano
Elvis Stojko
Jeffrey Buttle
Jozef Sabovcik
Michael Weiss
Steven Cousins
Caryn Kadavy
Shae-Lynn Bourne
Marie-France Dubreuil & Patrice Lauzon
Musical Guest Stars:
REO Speedwagon & Rick Springfield
Hi Everybody,
Well, many of you may have noticed that "Not So Silent Night", is not so easy to find. We know, but please don't give up. The CD is available at a discount price at Amazon.com, and there are personally autographed copies available through www.reospeedwagon.com . Finding the CD at stores is a bit more of a challenge, and here is why
Basically, in order to have a Christmas album included in the big Holiday displays, or even among the other holiday releases, we would have to have turned the record in to the record company in June. Yeah, June! We had no idea we had to have it ready so early. We turned our masters in to Sony on October 1st. Ooops...missed it by just a tad. Hey, we are a rock band. We are supposed to be late.
So we had a choice to make. We could either wait until next Christmas to release "Not So Silent Night", or we could let Sony rush release the record, knowing we would miss out on the majority of their holiday marketing campaign this year.
After all the work, and all the love, we put into this project. We couldn't imagine waiting a whole year to release the CD. Plus, we have two Christmas TV specials coming out this year, on NBC and ABC, and we will be playing songs from the new CD on both. We thought it would be better to have the new record available to people who heard the music on television, and wanted to play it at home this Christmas.
Sony truly loves this record, and has guaranteed us their full attention...next Christmas. For this year, "Not So Silent Night" is available, but it takes a bit more effort to find it.
But please, ask for it in any store that sells music. If the CD is not available, still inquire if they can order it for you. In general, I am asking you to bug the heck out of the stores that don't have the CD in stock. Then go ahead and order it from us directly, or from Amazon.com.
Meanwhile, "Can't Stop Rockin" continues to burn a path through the American Heartland...Columbus, Ohio, then Cincinnati, Winston-Salem, and on to Nashville, Dallas, and Little Rock. The Night Ranger boys have joined the finale, and we may have a new one for The Guinness Book of World Records...most guitar players on stage at one time: Check www.reospeedwagon.com and see if we are playing somewhere near you...you cannot miss this show.
You guys are the most awesome fans ever. Hope to see you soon...
kc
Hi Everybody,
Well, the REO machine is up and running and full speed ahead. We play three "evening with" shows this weekend, then on to Charleston for rehearsal. We meet up with our brothers in Styx and Night Ranger next weekend for the Fall leg of "Can't Stop Rockin' 2009", and are together right up until Thanksgiving.
I stopped off in Toronto yesterday for the press conference announcing that the five time Tony nominated Broadway musical, "Rock Of Ages", will be opening a second company at the Royal Alexandria Theatre next April. As I have said before, you must see this play. It is way cool. The soundtrack includes all your favorite songs from the 80's, and they transform a legitimate theater into a giant rock bar on the Sunset Strip. A feature film is in the works, as well. We have been involved with the production from the beginning, and I am so happy for these people who took a big risk in staging this play. It is great to see their success.
Meanwhile, "Not So Silent Night...Christmas With REO Speedwagon", will be available in stores any day now, with the official release date of November 3rd. We are all very excited, and can't wait to hear your reactions to the album. We taped an ABC television special called, "Holidays With the Stars", earlier this week. It consists of interview footage and unplugged performances by Dave and me at Blue Moon Studiowww.reospeedwagon.com , and a visit with Lisa and the kids at our home. The airdate is December 6th on ABC. Later in the tour we will be taping, "Holiday On Ice", which will be televised on November 29th, on NBC from 4pm-6pm (EST)...so get ready to set your TiVOs!
It will be great to get back to the "Can't Stop Rockin" tour. The whole awesome production is back, complete with the 40-foot video wall. Check the tour page at www.reospeedwagon.com for details.
Oh yeah, my luggage had such a good time in Toronto that it decided to stay for a while. I, on the other hand, am sitting here in my underwear, praying that the Suitcase Fairy will show up at my door soon. What normally happens in these situations is that my bags will arrive here in Fort Wayne tomorrow, of course by that time I will be in Detroit. Then my luggage will chase me around the country for the entire run. Ah yes, the joys of touring!
Okay, that's it for now...rock on,
kc
Now taking pre-orders for Not So Silent Night...Christmas with REO Speedwagon with Original autographs by the band! Will be shipped by November 1, 2009.
After being inspired to create an album unlike anything they have before, original members, Kevin Cronin, Bruce Hall, and Neal Doughty, and twenty-year REO veterans, Dave Amato and Bryan Hitt, were excited to put together the band's first Christmas album. They gave these classics the full REO production treatment, providing a unique spin for the yuletide season. By choosing 13 songs that range from the most traditional carols to some more obscure songs, this album reflects the REO Speedwagon holiday spirit. Not So Silent Night...Christmas with REO Speedwagon is poised to be a very special Christmas album that will bring generations within families together to rock the holiday nights away.
Not So Silent Night...Christmas with REO Speedwagon
Tracks to Include:
The First Noel
Winter Wonderland
Silent Night
Deck The Halls
Little Drummer Boy
The White Snows of Winter
Angels We Have Heard On High (Gloria)
Children Go Where I Send Thee
I'll Be Home For Christmas
God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
Happy Xmas (War is Over)
Blue Christmas
Joy To The World
The band is currently on the second leg of their "Can't Stop Rockin'" Tour across the country through November with Styx and Night Ranger, offering recession friendly prices through their "Rock n Roll Stimulus Package."
Tour Dates 2009
October 23: Embassy Theater - Ft. Wayne, INOctober 24: Ford Community & Performing Arts Center - Dearborn, MI
October 25: Kewadin Casino - Sault Ste Marie, MI
Can't Stop Rockin' II Tour
October 29: North Charleston Coliseum - North Charleston, SC
October 30: Ford Amphitheatre - North Tampa, FL
October 31: Cruzan Amphitheater - West Palm Beach, FL
November 1: Columbus Civic Center - Columbus, GA
November 3: Richmond Coliseum - Richmond, VA
November 5: Big Sandy Superstore Arena - Huntington, WV
November 6: Sovereign Center - Reading, PA
November 7: Covelli Center - Youngstown, Ohio
November 8: Nationwide Arena - Columbus, Ohio
November 10: Bank of Kentucky Center - Highland Heights, Kentucky
November 12: Lawrence Joel Vet. Memorial Coliseum - Winston Salem, North Carolina
November 13: Viking Hall - Bristol, TN
November 14: Eastern Kentucky Expo Center - Pikeville, Kentucky
November 15: Sommet Center - Nashville, TN
November 17: Allen Event Center - Allen, TX
November 19: Verizon Arena North - Little Rock, AR
November 20: Arkansas State Convocation Center - Jonesboro, Arkansas
November 21: Coushatta Casino Resort - Kinder, LA
November 22: American Bank Center - Corpus Christi, TX
