FAIRHAVEN, MA — For the 13th year, Rock 4 XMAS will bring together rock ‘n’ roll performers to raise money for the less fortunate. This year’s slate of shows is once again headlined by 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.
Serving as MC for the shows will be Butch Patrick, best known as Eddie from the TV show, The Munsters.
The tour kicks off Dec. 4 the Seaport Inn and Marina in Fairhaven, Mass., then moves to other locals in the Boston and New York area before wrapping up Dec. 14 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn.
Funds 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 ‘n’ 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 added. “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 songs from their 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 Jeff Belanger, who writes books on paranormal topics.
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 on the foundation’s Web site, www.rock4xmas.com. 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 are available at Puritans Men Store and Spinnaker Records, both in Hyannis.
