Los Angeles, CA & Bloomington, IL – December 12, 2013 – STYX and REO SPEEDWAGON, along with RICHARD MARX, TED NUGENT, LARRY THE CABLE GUY,SURVIVOR, HEAD EAST and BRUSHVILLE are thrilled to announce that the December 4 benefit concert. Rock To The Rescue Extends A Hand To Those In Need, raised $400,783. This completely sold-out show, at U.S. Cellular Coliseumin Bloomington, raised funds for central Illinois communities that were affected by the recent devastating tornadoes and winds. Rock To The Rescuehas announced that distributed funds raised from ticket sales, auctions and donations will benefit the Midwest Food Bank, Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity, Tazwood Community Services, Toys for Tots and the Washington Rotary Club.

STYX’s Tommy Shaw said, “Rock To The Rescue has continued to serve smaller grassroots non-profits around the country wherever we perform and help larger causes whenever we see the need.  Because of the support of so many friends in the music community, we were able to respond literally within hours of the reports of the November 17 tornadoes in Illinois, the place where Styx and REO originated.  We felt compelled to give back to the people who have given us so much for so long, so we started calling other friends.  Everyone who was available immediately said yes!  We enjoyed a fantastic concert and raised over $400,000 to help in the effort to move forward, but what was most moving was seeing and feeling the power of music bring us together and lift our spirits once again as the ongoing soundtrack to our lives.”

REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin said, “On the morning of our recent ‘Rock To The Rescue’ benefit concert we visited the Washington, Illinois site where the killer tornadoes did the lion’s share of their damage. It was a chilling experience. The depth of destruction was hard to describe. We didn’t need to be reminded that the effects of this storm and the need for help would go on for years to come. We promised ourselves, and the many new friends we made that day, that our work in the area would be ongoing. We plan on continuing our fundraising efforts as we return for four concerts in Illinois and Indiana in early 2014. It feels good to use the power of rock ‘n’ roll to lend support to people without whose support we would surely not be rocking to this day.”

Jay Goldberg, President of Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment said, “Being a lifelong resident of Central Illinois, I was awed by the coming together in the making of this concert.  We are very fortunate that Rock To The Rescue chose our community to get behind and help raise money to the victims of this devastating tornado.”

Traci Andracke, Assistant General Manager of the US Cellular Coliseum said, “We were so honored to have the opportunity to host this memorable event to help out our neighboring communities. We are in awe of the generosity of all of the bands, crew and staff of Rock To The Rescue as well as all of the local companies that donated their time, goods and services.   We appreciate the big hearts they have to help out those that are in need.” 

Rock To The Rescue (rocktotherescue.net) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to build strong, healthy communities through the support of grassroots organizations across the country. The Midwest Food Bank gathers large food donations from nationwide corporations and distributes them to social service organizations, as well as at national disaster sites. The Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity is a Community Action Agency and leadership organization that promotes self-sufficiency and economic security. Tazwood Community Services was organized for the purpose of reducing the causes and alleviating the effects of poverty in Tazwood and Woodford Counties. The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect and distribute toys as Christmas gifts to the less fortunate. The Washington Rotary Club is a service organization located in Washington, IL and an affiliate of Rotary International.

Rock To The Rescue originally started in 2001 as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and is the brainchild of STYX’s Tommy Shaw and REO SPEEDWAGON’s Cronin.  The two musicians brought together bands and artists such as Bad Company, Journey, Survivor, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrdand many others to be part of “Volunteers For America” concert events in Dallas and Atlanta that ultimately raised over $775,000 for victims of 9/11, as well as the Port Authority police department in New York City.   On the bands’ last tour together, the Midwest Rock N’ Roll Express,  Rock To The Rescue not only raised thousands of dollars for local charities at each tour stop, but also raised $108,000 which went directly to the Boston One Fund, helping victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.  

Hannah Shaw, daughter of Tommy Shaw, is Executive Director of Rock To The Rescue.

For more information visit: rocktotherescue.net and facebook.com/rocktotherescue.