EAA AIRVENTURE 2011 WELCOMES LEGENDARY ROCK BAND REO SPEEDWAGON FOR OPENING DAY CONCERT #OSH11

Ford Motor Company presenting July 25 evening performance

      EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — (Feb. 24, 2011) — After a full opening day of flying on Monday, July 25, at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011, the excitement continues into the evening as the legendary rock band REO Speedwagon performs its classic hits in concert, courtesy of Ford Motor Company.

      The performance, free of charge to all AirVenture guests that day, will be held adjacent to the Ford Motor Company Hangar immediately following the afternoon air show.

      “The opening day concert is the marquee kick-off event to what is sure to be a week filled with highlights for AirVenture attendees of all ages,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA and AirVenture chairman. “This marks the sixth consecutive year Ford is making this popular opening day tradition possible. By securing another fantastic band in REO Speedwagon, AirVenture 2011 promises to get off to a rockin’ start!”

       Like EAA AirVenture, REO Speedwagon is known the world over and has gained multiple generations of fans during more than 40 years of recording and performing. Featuring Kevin Cronin, Dave Amato, Bruce Hall, Neal Doughty, and Bryan Hitt, REO Speedwagon’s unrelenting drive, non-stop touring and recording jump-started the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest during the 1970s and produced timeless rock classics like “Ridin’ the Storm Out,” “Roll With the Changes,” and “Time For Me To Fly.”

        “Ford is proud to be part of EAA AirVenture for more than a decade,” said Kevin Keling, Ford Corporate Events Manager. “We’re pleased to build and expand relationships with EAA members and AirVenture attendees. We’re very happy to support EAA and this great event in a variety of ways, including bringing top entertainment such as REO Speedwagon to the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.”

      With its iconic style and work ethic, REO Speedwagon has left its unquestioned mark on music history. The band has sold more than 40 million records and charted 13 top 40 hits in its career, including No. 1 hits “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Keep On Loving You.” Its 1980 Hi Infidelity album, which sold more than 10 million copies, also featured top 40 hits “Take It on the Run,” “In Your Letter,” and “Don’t Let Him Go.”

      More information is available at the band’s website at www.speedwagon.com.   

      The opening day concert at EAA AirVenture, along with Ford Motor Company’s support of the nightly Fly-In Theater, is among the experiences embraced by Ford and EAA to enhance the annual EAA AirVenture convention. Ford will again construct a unique one-of-a-kind vehicle for the Gathering of Eagles fundraiser during AirVenture, plus support a raffle vehicle. These annual actions have generated more than $1.5 million for Young Eagles. Ford also offers exclusive discounts on Ford Motor Company vehicles for EAA members.

       Advance purchase admission tickets and camping for AirVenture 2011 are now available at a discounted rate at www.airventure.org/tickets. 

      EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.airventure.org. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAAupdate.