I'm sorry it's taken almost a week for me to post a "Rock 4Xmas" report. I've received a lot of emails asking how it went, and I know there were some fans - Eric, etc - that made the trek to the Wareham MA show, in a blizzard, only to find out there was no show.

The event was well-intentioned, and the producer of the show, Wayne Morrison, has worked very hard under extremely difficult circumstances to do something nice for everyone involved, from the artists who participate down to the homeless children these events are supposed to benefit.

While I got to hang out with my favorite guitarist Jay Rusnak, and there were some fun moments, some old aquaintances renewed and some new friends made, unfortunately no one benefitted from the 2005 debacle.


Rather than detail the individual perpetual nightmares that occurred, and take you on a step-by-step journey through the living hell that we experienced, I will just apologize for the first show being cancelled (there was a blizzard, 90 mph winds, and no electricity at our hotel or the venue). The NY show would've been cancelled also: the producer of the show apparently had some issues and left the site (with all the stage gear) - headliner Eddie Money was not going to be coming (sorry about your baseball, Sheldon) - and accomodations and transportation to those accomodations became such a logistical nightmare that I grabbed my baggage and made camp in a crowded & overheated upstairs office/dressing room.

At this point I had two options: get a cab to the airport and get the hell out of there, or give the people a show.

Those of you who know me can probably guess I chose the latter. The show must go on.

The local bands that were opening the show pitched in and rounded up enough sound gear to pull off a gig. I grabbed a microphone as soon as the system was up and running, and announced to the crowd what was happening, told them we had a lot of people that came a long way to sing and play for them, and that's what we did. Even though all of the singers and musicians were sufficiently intoxitated due to the ordeal we had to endure, we all pulled it together and played some music for the people that had shelled out $20 a ticket, many of whom had driven a considerable distance - my friends and fans Randy & Chrissy Gill drove almost 5 hours from PA, and I wasn't about to let them down. After the local openers, Terry Ilous did his set (I joined him for "People Get Ready").

I went on next (I was anxious to get MY show on the road before my musicians became TOO intoxicated - perhaps I should have went on first) - Jay, Sam McCaslin (incredible keyboardist from MSG, XYZ, IRS, and many other 3-letter bands), drummer Matt Thompson (King Diamond), and bassist Robbie Sinn (Flock Of Seagulls) powered through "The Right To Rock", "Because The Night", the Black Sabbath "Heaven & Hell/War Pigs" medley, and "Drift Away". Vocalist Chaz West (Bonham, etc) & friends closed the show.

Once again, I apologize for the first show being cancelled - the blizzard and power failure were out of my control - and I apologize for the makeshift nature of the NY gig, but we did the best we could.

Thanks to Jay 'Snakdaddy' Rusnak for enduring this with me, at least we had each other to lean on. And it was great seeing Terry Ilous again, who as always was a class act, great talent & attitude. I'm attaching a photo of Terry & I taken at the NY show.

Unfortunately this experience was the last straw for me, and I regret to announce that I will not be participating in future events of this nature. Next time I want to get drunk and play rock star, I'm going to Big George's.

I did however receive a copy of the "Rock 4Xmas" CD which features me, Paul Shortino, and Terry Ilous sharing lead vocals on the title track. The disc also features Cheap Trick, Eddie Money, Mark Farner from Grand Funk Railroad...so it's cool to be on a disc with all these acts whose music influenced me when I was growing up. I have put the "Rock 4Xmas Anthem" up for download at http://ronkeel.com, and I intend to donate the proceeds to charity.

Ronnie,
Sorry to hear things went so badly. The purpose of the shows is good and it shows what a GREAT person you are to want to be part of it to help out those less fortunate!

Richard

Hey Ronnie,

Sorry to hear about your weekend from Hell! Please dont let your experience in Wareham disuade you from coming back to MA in the future. As for the production company, I found it weird that there was never any publicity about the show here in Mass. I wonder what kind of turn out there would have been if the power did stay on. Anyways, sorry we missed each other. I hope that I can see you perform in the not so distant future.

Eric

Obviously, we could have easily filmed "Spinal Tap Part II" with all the incidents that occurred during this whole debacle, but perhaps the strongest memory I will take away from the trainwreck Ronnie described is the image of him, upstairs in the dressing room, calmly putting on his stage clothes and preparing to give the people what they came for--whilst all around him madness reigned and tempers flared. It was rather inspiring to see and earned him yet more respect from Yours Truly.

It is unfortunate that things did not go well that weekend but it just goes to show that when u guys want to make people happy, you guys will go to any lengths to do just that!!!

Sorry to hear this all went down like that guys.

From witnessing RK, first hand, in similar situations of uncertain insaneness..........I know exactly what Jay is talking about. It is NOT just words or a phrase or even lyrics to a song. Ronnie LIVES those words and that is what makes him who he is. And I am very proud to know and call him a friend. And kudos to Jay for sticking by his side........just goes to show the strength and unity of this thing we call IRONHORSE!!

THE SHOW MUST GO ON!!

Way to go Jay and Ronnie!! Love ya guys!!

yeah rock on ronnie and jay ......you rule...!!!