Anybody in Peoria?

[sadie65]

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

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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I wish Froy was here for this one

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.

Why am I not surprised. Didn't they just play in this here 3 times in the last 2 weeks? (yes I'm being sarcastic)

No offense, but I wonder if Carrot Styx took some kind of pay cut to help out. Of if they didn't I'm sure they will now after reading this.

Osborn is not sure why sales have been less than expected.

Easy, you booked a band that comes to the same area over and over and over and over. They are over-saturated in this area. Plus they don't have the best lead singer that made them famous.

I really feel sad for the people that they're trying to help. I sincerely hope they can raise enough money to benefit them.

[bugsymalone]

Good for CurrentStyx for doing this concert.

Perhaps they needed REO on the bill with them???

Bugsy

[sadie65]

Good for CurrentStyx for doing this concert.

Perhaps they needed REO on the bill with them???

Bugsy

Whatever my thoughts are on the band, I think this is a really nice thing for them to do. And I'm sincerely turn out so far has been so low. I do think perhaps they ought to come off the road for a while. Build audience desire again. Not intended as a slam. I just think that maybe they are wearing out their welcome so to speak.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

As I posted before about this story in an earlier thread somewhere on this board or a different board, I'm sure it was this board.

This is very nice for them, Carrot Styx, to do. It sounds like they sold a lot of tickets, but I'm wondering if the promoter had to pay a lot for them to perform? I hope that's not the case, I wonder what other costs he had to pay. This should be a benefit, I would think most of the proceeds would go to these people that need the money, not into everyone else's pockets to make money for themselves. Obviously, I don't know the whole story, but after this was in the paper, I'm sure there will be a turnaround and more tickets will be sold to help these people out.

2 hours for a Carrot Styx show?? I would love to see the set list for this one. I wonder if they're going to add a few different songs, that would be great!!

I should go back to bed, I'm crabby - LOL

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Here's the update on the concert this past Sunday:

Styx benefit concert misses its mark

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

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.

[sadie65]

As a follow up:

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

Advertisement



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.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

LOL!!!! JINX

Sadie - we must've opened out email messages at the same time and raced over here to post - LOL

I think we're both crazy!!!

[sadie65]

LOL!!!! JINX

Sadie - we must've opened out email messages at the same time and raced over here to post - LOL

I think we're both crazy!!!

I saw no e-mail. Just found it on the net.

Below breaking point...that is honestly a crying shame. Hats off though for doing a good thing.

[Monker]

It sounds to me like their expectations were FAR to high. If Styx/REO/Journey only sold 6,000 seats (which, IMO, is not very many for that lineup), two years ago, what do they expect Styx on their own to do? Gregg is a wonderful guy and musician, but he doesn't sell many seats. 2,000 seats is a bit low...but I wouldn't expect much more then that considering the history...3,000 max..