REO Speedwagon's "VIP Roadie of the Day"

"VIP Roadie of the Day" with REO Speedwagon !!!

I had the great pleasure of not only winning front row tickets to see REO Speedwagon on 1/23/2009 at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY, BUT I also won the opportunity to be REO Speedwagon's "VIP Roadie of the Day"

It started Thursday afternoon when I was listening to Mix97.7FM in my car. I knew they were giving away 1st and 2nd row tickets for REO. When you heard a REO song, you had to be the 9th caller to win.
I heard the REO song come on, and called from my cell.

I was caller # 1. I hung up and hit re-dial, I was caller # 5. I hit re-dial again, and I was finally caller # 9 !!!!

I gave Frankenberry, the Mix97.7 DJ my info, and he said Kevin Cronin, the lead singer for REO Speedwagon would be in the studio later to do an interview, and after the interview, they would be selecting one of the ticket winners to win "VIP Roadie of the Day".
When I got home, I immediatley put the radio on and was listening to the interview as I was on the phone with a friend. I heard that Kevin was about to pick the winner, so I turned my radio up louder. Then I heard Frankenberry say:
"Our VIP Roadie winner is" Lorelli Kronkhyte !!!!!!
I screamed !! I nearly dropped my phone !! I was shocked to say the least !!

Frankenberry called me later and said I would be spending the day with REO Speedwagon as their VIP Roadie guest.

We arrived Friday at about 4:00 PM and went in thru the band entrance and was given the VIP treatment from start to finish. We met all of the band members, and crew, and when I met Kevin Cronin, I gave him a kiss and thanked him for picking my name.

We had access to everything, everywhere, and anything, we had dinner with REO, we went on their tour bus, we were hanging out with the band members in their dressing rooms, had the opportunity to watch then rehearse, and after the opening band was finished, Frankenberry, the DJ from Mix 97.7 called me on my cell from the stage (I was downstairs hanging out with the band members) to tell me he was about to announce REO.

Jackie and I watched the entire concert from on stage (On the side of course).

Kevin Cronin actually gave me a bottle of his Private Stock Chardonnay, and all of the band members signed it for me!! That's one bottle of wine I will never open.
They also gave us their new CD, which they also signed.
I have to say, I have a whole new perspective and outlook as to what really goes into making a concert come together, and the personal sacrifice that goes along with being a famous band.

I want to personally thank Mix97.7FM for the opportunity of a lifetime, and I especially want to thank Kevin, Neal, Bryan, Dave and Bruce of REO Speedwagon, Mike Richter, the production manager, Walter, Smooth, Pete and all of the stage hands and crew for showing us a really awesome time and for being gracious and treating us like friends.

WOW, What an experience. I'll never forget it.

You guys still ROCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Please see my photo's below)