I hope it gets a better turnout

[sadie65]

I already posted this on the Styx board...but i thought some of you might like this as well

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/102205/TR ... .021.shtml

Styx concert aims to heat things up

Benefit raises money to repair and replace furnaces for central Illinois residents

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Saturday, October 22, 2005

By BRAD BURKE

of the Journal Star

PEORIA - Styx is no stranger to this town. The veteran Chicago-based rock band has played the Peoria Civic Center twice since February 2002.
But organizers of the group's third gig here in as many years vow Sunday's 7:30 p.m. concert at Carver Arena is going to be special. The music promises to be so hot, it'll warm your soul - not to mention the homes of several needy families.

Several, or perhaps just one. It all depends on how many people turn out.

The concert, which also features original Santana frontman Gregg Rolie, is a fund-raiser for the Warmth From the Heart Foundation, a local organization that in each of the past four years has repaired or replaced the furnace of one needy central Illinois resident.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg, according to foundation President Dave Osborn. He receives nearly 300 applications annually from disadvantaged residents, some so desperate for heat they huddle near lanterns or gas ovens.

"Every time we'd read (the applications) it would just make us sick," said Osborn, who also owns Trouble Free Plumbing Inc. in Pekin. "It was like, man, I wish we could do more for these people, but there's only a limited amount of funds."

Sunday's concert is meant to vastly increase the foundation's resources, with all proceeds going directly to the heating program, Osborn said. The ultimate goal is to approach the $100,000 or more needed to heat 100 homes this winter.

Advance ticket sales so far have covered Osborn's initial investment for the band, the venue and so on.

Still, Osborn concedes sales have not met his expectations, thus jeopardizing the foundation's ability to approach its goal. One Civic Center official said sales as of Friday morning were well below the 6,000 tickets the band sold during its last appearance here, with REO Speedwagon in 2003, but declined to give an exact figure.

Osborn is not sure why sales have been less than expected. But he and fellow foundation volunteers are making a final marketing push, talking up reasons fans should attend. Those include:

- Price breaks. On the foundation's Web site (www.warmthfromtheheart.org) coupons are available for $10 off lower bowl tickets. And upper bowl tickets will be half price from now until show time, Osborn said.

- Tax deductions. Half of the ticket value is tax deductible as a charitable contribution, Osborn said. Downloadable tax forms are available on the foundation's Web site.

- Expanded sets. Rolie plans to play an hour-plus of music, more than most openers. And Styx is bumping their set up from 90 minutes to two full hours, Osborn said.

"Because it's a benefit concert, and not just a normal everyday concert, they're going to be doing some really amazing things," Osborn said.

Even if he can't reach his goal of heating 100 homes this winter, Osborn said he'll take some solace in expanding the foundation's efforts from previous years.

"If I do even five furnaces, it's been more of a success than if I do just one," he said.

[jrnyman28]

I saw that Gregg and Styx were doing a show together, but I had no idea it was a benefit too. Great guys. I would LOVE to see Gregg play. I wonder how much Journey stuff he will play? And will Kevin Chalfant show up to help him out on the duets and maybe a Storm song or 2? This would be a great gig to see.

[perryfaithful]

I saw that Gregg and Styx were doing a show together, but I had no idea it was a benefit too. Great guys. I would LOVE to see Gregg play. I wonder how much Journey stuff he will play? And will Kevin Chalfant show up to help him out on the duets and maybe a Storm song or 2? This would be a great gig to see.

Terrific of these guys. The story breaks my heart also....


yes, this would be a great concert to see! thanks for sharing this Sadie

[ohsherrie]

What a wonderful idea. I wish someone would do something like that for this area. But not much chance.

[Rockindeano]

Benefit raises money to repair and replace furnaces for central Illinois residents

That sounds like a wonderful idea, but what exactly is a furnace? I know I don't have one...

[ohsherrie]

You know Sugar, it's that thing that heated your house in Canada.

[Rockindeano]

You know Sugar, it's that thing that heated your house in Canada.

Naw, I had a woodstove, but it's a lot colder where you live, and where SMB and Sadie live too; not too mention PF, NIGGY and Joe13Pa...

[mnmsjrny]

I saw that Gregg and Styx were doing a show together, but I had no idea it was a benefit too. Great guys. I would LOVE to see Gregg play. I wonder how much Journey stuff he will play? And will Kevin Chalfant show up to help him out on the duets and maybe a Storm song or 2? This would be a great gig to see.

I doubt he'll do any Journey tunes. He only does them when the promoter wants to promote both "Former Santana and Journey founder". In all the times I've seen him (which I think is somewhere around two dozen), I've only heard Journey tunes 3 times. Twice right after Roots was released and he was just beginning to perform again and had Dave Amato with his band. Then again this year at a show in San Jose. The guy he had singing the Perry vocals was good, but made me really appreciate how hard those songs are to sing. It was his first appearance with the band, so I don't know if he's been travelling with them or just called in when the Journey promotion kicks in.

Nonetheless, I'd LOVE to be at this show. Gregg puts on an incredible show -- he's got a great band (though how could he not when you look at the resumes of the members) and Styx has totally recaptured me in recent years with their high energy show...

[Rockindeano]

Regarding ticket sales, or lack therof..

They could have just booked Journey instead of Twigs, and there wouldn't be any anxiety. Gregg could still open, and they could have done Feelin that Way/Anytime as well.....Twigs is about as burned out as OJ's excuses.

[ohsherrie]

Naw, I had a woodstove, but it's a lot colder where you live, and where SMB and Sadie live too; not too mention PF, NIGGY and Joe13Pa...

No, it's doesn't get as cold here in southern VA as it used to in Omaha. We do have a wood heater here though. Why pay the oil Bushes any more than we need to?

[Rockindeano]

Naw, I had a woodstove, but it's a lot colder where you live, and where SMB and Sadie live too; not too mention PF, NIGGY and Joe13Pa...

No, it's doesn't get as cold here in southern VA as it used to in Omaha. We do have a wood heater here though. Why pay the oil Bushes any more than we need to?

I was saying Vancouver is more "mild" than any of the towns where people I listed live in..

[sadie65]

As a follow up:

Rather a shame, but kudos all the same.

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/102505/TR ... .054.shtml

Styx benefit concert misses its mark

Low ticket sales cause show to lose money, but it raises awareness and encourages donations

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Tuesday, October 25, 2005



PEORIA - Sunday's Styx concert came up short on ticket sales, but it still succeeded in helping needy people.
The Civic Center concert was a fund-raiser for the Warmth for the Heart Foundation, a 4-year-old local group that repairs or replaces furnaces for low-income residents.

But low ticket sales kept the show below the break-even point.

"We ended up losing just a little bit," said Dave Osborn, president of the group. "But we still won by bringing awareness to what we're doing.

"Even though ticket sales were not there, we're getting it done in other ways," he said.

For example, during the show, when Styx played the song "Snowblind," the group talked about needy families in Peoria, exposing fans to the organization's goals.

"They had a bunch to say about Warmth from the Heart," Osborn said.

Afterward, members of Rolie's band said they planned to send a contribution. Further, a local heating-and-cooling company has pledged to donate as many as 15 new furnaces, Osborn said.
The last time Styx played in Peoria, in 2003 with REO Speedwagon and Journey, ticket sales approached 6,000. However, just under 2,000 fans showed up Sunday to see Styx and original Santana frontman Gregg Rolie.

Osborn said Warmth from the Heart, which never had hosted a benefit concert before, already is planning to sponsor another concert next year.