For the 13th year, Rock 4 XMAS will bring together a who’s who of the rock-and-roll world and hit the stage to raise money to benefit the less fortunate.
This year’s slate of shows is once again headlined by the legendary Eddie Money, and will feature performances by Ernie and the Automatics, Joey Molland of Badfinger, Kelly Keeling formerly of Blue Murder and Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Terry ILous of XYZ. The Seaport Inn show will also feature a short performance with Brick by Brick, a local youth organization.
Serving as MC for the shows will be Butch Patrick, best known as Eddie from the classic television show “The Munsters.” The tour is set to begin on December 4th at the Seaport Inn and Marina in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, December 5th at the Cape Cod Community College in Hyannis Ma., with future shows on the way in Long Island, New York; Somerville Ma., and other locations before wrapping up in Uncasville, Connecticut at the Mohegan Sun Casino on December 14.
Monies raised through the Rock 4 XMAS shows will benefit local charities in each host location that help families in need enjoy a happy holiday season.
“Many of these stars have already lived that partying, rock-and-roll lifestyle,” said Wayne Morrison, event organizer and head of the Rock 4 XMAS Foundation. “Now they just want to help.”
“These shows are always very intimate,” Morrison said. “When the performers are not on stage, they are meeting the people and signing autographs. They really want to meet the people of the community they are helping.”
Tickets are $20 for the Seaport Inn show, and expected to be right around that mark for subsequent shows as well.
“We know with the way the economy is, it’s hard to find the cash to go out to rock shows,” he said. “We want to keep it affordable, so that people can still get that good feeling from helping others without hurting themselves financially.”
Rock 4 XMAS is also releasing a “Best Of” CD this season, bringing together some of the greatest tracks of the first two benefit albums on one disc. It will also feature new tracks such as “On a Clear Night,” performed by Eddie Money, and “My Christmas Tree is Haunted,” written by noted paranormal author Jeff Belanger.
In addition to raising money and collecting other donations for needy families, Morrison is also looking for volunteers to help with the show. In addition, individuals can donate frequent flyer miles to help defray the expense of flying in all the performers. All donations are tax deductible.
Updates regarding the shows and CD will be posted frequently on the foundation’s web site, www.rock4xmas.com The site already features numerous video and audio clips from past events. Tickets for the Seaport Inn show can be purchased by contacting the Inn at (508) 997-1281 or by visiting www.seaportinnandmarina.com. Tickets for Cape Cod Show available at Puritans Men Store & Spiniker Records both in Hyannis.
ABOUT THE ROCK 4 XMAS FOUNDATION: Started in 1996, the Rock 4 XMAS Foundation brings food, gifts and the holiday spirit to less fortunate families through donations and benefit events. In addition to collecting donations, the foundation also is directly involved in the distribution. It has been recognized by the federal government with a 509(a)2 tax-exempt status. The web site for the foundation is www.rock4xmas.com.
ABOUT WAYNE MORRISON: Wayne Morrison is the owner of Morrison Music and Production, a company that represents and works with acts such as Eddie Money, Badfinger, Spence Davis, Pat Travers, Rick Derringer and many more. A survivor of the Station nightclub fire, Morrison also helped organize the original Night of Healing benefit concert.
PR – Tim Weisberg of Para-Relations / timweisberg@hotmail.com
