12.5.05 – It’s that time again. The final M&R Rush show of the summer tour has been performed, the holidays are here and it’s time for us to start planning for the yet to be named M&R Rush 2006 Summer Tour. Yes, it’s official. M&R Rush will be performing again next summer. The past three summer tours have been so much fun that we’ve decided to start booking dates again for next summer. Who would of thought that four years ago when we decided to do a reunion tour for the summer of 2003 that we would be planning for a fourth summer of shows. We would like to thank all our fans who travel near & far to come to the shows. Thanks to everyone for bringing their families and children creating a new generation of M&R Rush fans. We’re having a great time and as long as you keep coming we’ll keep playing!!!
Here are some of the highlights from 2005 taken from our website:
M&R Rush Performs At Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert at the Star Plaza Theatre
10.2.05 - M&R Rush participated in a benefit concert along with six other Chicago bands at the Star Plaza Theatre. Presented by Midwest Beat Magazine, Star Plaza Theatre & X-Rock 103.9FM all proceeds from the concert will benefit The American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. Other artists performing along with M&R Rush at the "Chicago Classics To The Rescue" concert included Carl Giamarese & members of The Buckinghams, The Cryan Shames, Ronnie Rice of the New Colony Six, Heartsfield, Dirty Dan Buck & The Boyzz and the Deep River Band. Thanks to everyone who showed up at the Merrillville, Indiana venue to support those in need.
18,000 plus see M&R Rush with REO Speedwagon at "Festival Of The Lakes" Show !!
7.24.05 - Wow !! Does Hammond, Indiana know how to throw a party or what? This past Friday night M&R Rush had the pleasure of opening for REO Speedwagon in front of 18,000 plus at the "Festival Of The Lakes" on the shores of Hammond's Wolf Lake.
When the band first took the stage at 7PM the mayor's office estimated the crowd at 11,000 and by the time M&R Rush finished the set the crowd was well over 18,000.
Special thanks goes out to Mayor Tom McDermott and his entire staff, to Rick Calinski from the Hammond Park District, to REO Speedwagon and their crew and the entire staff from Creative Soundz from Rockford, Illinois for the stage production.
Buffalo Wild Wings Serves Up M&R Rush
9.12.05 - Thanks to everyone who came out to the show at the Valparaiso Popcorn Fest this past Saturday. The band had a great time performing their show in the Buffalo Wild Wings parking lot and at the after show party.
Our good friend Tom Lounges from the Midwest BEAT Magazine and Night Rock Radio hosted the show. In addition 50 winners joined the band and the X-Rock staff for a post concert party upstairs at Buffalo Wild Wings. A good time was had by all as the staff at BW3's kept the refreshments flowing and the band broke out the acoustic guitars for an unplugged jam session.
The band would like to thank the owners and staff of the Valparaiso Buffalo Wild Wings for their hospitality and the great wings!!!!!!
Midwest Beat Magazine Honors M&R Rush
4.9.05 - M&R Rush was honored at the Midwest Beat Music Awards Annual Gala held Saturday April 2 at Second Dimensions Night Club in Schererville, Indiana.
The event was hosted by Tom Lounges, Publisher & Editor of Midwest Beat and on air personality at X-Rock 103.9FM along with Freak, on air personality from 94.7/The Zone. The band was presented with the "Four Star Talent" award and the "Best Regional Album Of The Year" award for their 2004 album release "The Thrill of the Chase".
The band would like to thank Tom Lounges, Hegewisch Lisa and the entire publishing and editorial staff of Midwest Beat Magazine for the awards and for their continued support over the past three years.
M&R Rush Music Now Available at Apple iTunes and other Internet Download Sites
1.12.05 - In an effort to make our music more accessible to our fans, M&R Rush music is now available on a number of internet download sites. For about $0.99 you can download your favorite M&R Rush song from our latest CDs. Download them to your computer or your iPod & enjoy the music anytime. Of course you can still order the entire CD albums from the M&R Rush Store or at CD Baby.com. Remember keep the music industry strong, don't steal music.
Chicago White Sox World Series Champions!!
And let’s not forget congratulations to our home town Chicago White Sox 2005 World Series Champions!! Here’s a scoop. Comcast cable will be re-broadcasting the playoff games and World Series games beginning December 18th.
Ok. Let’s hope 2006 is as exciting as the past year was. For more detailed stories of some of the events that took place since the reunion tours began check the Home Page and Archive News section of the website.
We would like to thank Tom Lounges, Scotty Rosenberg, Hegewisch Lisa and everyone at X-Rock 103.9 FM for their support over the past three years.
A special thanks to our sound and lighting crews, to Doug & Jayne Rito, our webmaster Mike Pakan, to B. B. Boogie Productions for their great art work on our promotional posters and our opening acts especially our good friends Drena Reign.
Over the winter months we plan on going into the studio again. No plans for a new CD but we'll see what comes out of the sessions. We will also be working on changes for next year's show. Maybe an unplugged segment. Who knows?
Until next summer keep checking the website www.mandrrush.com for the latest news and announcements. Also don't forget to visit the M&R Rush Store to pick up the latest M&R Rush music and merchandise which make great holiday gifts. Please keep those e-mails coming in at mandrrushl@yahoo.com. We love reading them and we promise to answer each and every one.
We can't thank you enough for all your support over the past three years. Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season and we look forward to seeing everyone at the 2006 tour dates.
Keep On Rockin!
M&R Rush
Marty, Roger, Carl, John, Paul and Jeff
