MelodicRockFest Announced For October
June 12, 2007, 17 years ago
Some of the biggest names in the melodic rock world will converge on South Bend, Indiana on October 6 for a very special one night only performance to mark the 10th Anniversary of popular rock music website MelodicRock.com. MelodicRockFest will be the melodic rock music event of the year. Never before have so many megastars of the business gathered to appear on the one stage at the same time. The artists have responded to an invitation from site owner Andrew McNeice, to take part in the biggest rock n roll party of the year at one of the Midwest’s most prestigious and historic venues, the Morris Performing Arts Center.
South Bend’s #1 Classic Rock station 95.3 WAOR will present the show and promote heavily in the weeks leading up to the October 6 show date.
The show headliner will be a star studded affair – the foundation of which will be an all-star vehicle in itself.
SCRAP METAL is the Nashville based all-star band featuring Gunnar & Matthew Nelson (NELSON), Kelly Keagy (NIGHT RANGER), Mark Slaughter (SLAUGHTER), Eric Martin (MR. BIG), Dave Marshall (VINCE NEIL BAND) and Gary Corbett (LOU GRAMM BAND/CINDERELLA).
Joining the Scrap Metal on stage for this special expanded headline set will be several very special guests which will turn this show into a once in a lifetime event. Special guests include Jack Blades (Night Ranger), Jim Peterik (SURVIVOR), Jimi Jamison (Survivor), Jeff Scott Soto (JOURNEY) and Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE). The band’s regular set sees them plough through hit singles from the acts represented by the rockers - Slaughter, Nelson, Mr. Big and Night Ranger. The special expanded headlining set will also cover the classic hits from Survivor, DAMN YANKEES, Rainbow and Deep Purple.
Eric Martin will deliver the biggest hits of his career from Mr. Big; Mark Slaughter sings those Slaughter hits that become radio staples in the early 90s and Gunnar and Matthew Nelson will remind us of the brilliant harmonies that Nelson delivered from their smash hit debut album.
For the first time in over a decade on US soil, Survivor founder Jim Peterik will share the stage with the vocalist responsible for some of the band’s most loved hits, Jimi Jamison, for a special Survivor set.
Drummer and vocalist Kelly Keagy will be joined by the his Night Ranger band mate - frontman Jack Blades for a blistering set of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees hits.
Joe Lynn Turner flies in from New York City to belt out his best Rainbow and Deep Purple hits. Several other surprises are planned and final details of some performances are still being held top secret.
The headline act is just one highlight of this very special event. Canada’s best and most loved melodic rock band HAREM SCAREM will make their USA debut after some 17 years in the business. Having toured Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Spain and Japan, the guys have only ever played one show on US soil. The recent release of their 11th studio album proves the guys are as hungry and as fresh as ever and just why they have the reputation for always delivering the goods. Having toured on their own bill as well as playing support to the likes of HARDLINE, VAN HALEN and FOREIGNER, the band will show old and new fans alike something to remember.
It will be a night of special events and Kevin Chalfant is certainly a man capable of delivering more surprises. In a special full band appearance, Kevin will perform a show that will pay tribute to the music of AOR legends Journey, as well as covering his own hits with THE STORM and as a solo artist. Kevin Chalfant possesses an amazing voice that is the very definition of melodic rock music. This voice has seen him work with the guys from Journey as well as forming the band The Storm with former Journey alumni Gregg Rolie and Steve Smith. He went on to form TWO FIRES and has just released a new studio album paying tribute to the music of Journey. On this show, you’ll hear it all.
Martie Peters may not be a name familiar to many, but he is an integral part of what has defined MelodicRock.com over the years. Martie is a hard working artist that delivers passionate, harmony filled rock n roll year after year, and like many artists in the world, works hard at his craft in order to produce the highest possible quality albums for his fans and with each album continues to build upon that fan base. His biggest influence sound and style wise is WHITE LION and in particular frontman of the band Mike Tramp. But he is also a unique character and on this night will represent the many independent artists out there that make killer music but don’t get the deserved recognition. After his performance I have no doubt that many more will be converted to his music.
7TH HEAVEN should be no strangers to followers of the melodic rock scene. The guys have built a considerable fan base in the greater Chicago area and across the globe. Another indie artist that works hard at their craft, their breakthrough debut album Silver has won critical acclaim from press and fans alike. With a new frontman in Keith Semple, they are ready to take it to the next level.
Opening the show is a hot new Los Angeles based hard rock outfit FIRST ROUND KNOCKOUT. Their energetic take no prisoners approach will I’m sure, make an impact with those present today and will help them make in roads for the future. Their debut album is being worked on now and will be showcased at this event.
Tickets for this one night only even go on sale June 30 via the Morris Box Office – online at www.morriscenter.ticketforce.com or by Phone: 574-235-9190.
The Morris Box Office is open Monday - Friday, 10:00am - 6:00pm; Saturday, 10:00am - 2:00pm.
Tickets are priced at $45, $35 and $25.
MelodicRock.com is run by Australian based journalist Andrew McNeice and first made its debut in the first week of January 1997.
Since that time it has become one of the most respected and leading websites in the world, taking in 27 million hits and currently services 200,000 unique users per month.
All artists will be available on the day to sign autographs and meet fans. Merchandise from MelodicRock.com and the participating artists will be on sale throughout the day.