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Hello Celeveland

written by REO Speedwagon October 31, 2022

Hi friends, we were in Cleveland over the weekend to play a private concert for the Best Western Hotel company. Having shot up our rooms with pellet guns, then barricaded the doors with furniture, climbed out the window, and landed a helicopter in the parking lot for our brazen escape from a Best Western motel in Johnson City, Tennessee, we felt it was our responsibility to make it up to the company! We have lived half our lives in hotels and gotten into our fair share of mischief at their expense, so now we are even!

Truth be told, we have a lot in common with the 2,500 hotel owners and managers who rocked out with us at the historic Cleveland Public Auditorium last night. It was cool to play on the same stage where the Beatles, The Who, and Janis Joplin have performed over the years.

Earlier that afternoon, I walked across the street to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and paid a visit to Neal Doughty’s iconic “Trout Hat”, along with a pair of Alan Gratzer’s drum sticks, and my blue Ovation guitar. We are happy for our friends Pat Benatar and Neil “Spyder” Giraldo, as they will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next weekend, and now that they are members, Spyder has promised he will vote next year for the induction of a pair of my socks from the Hi Infidelity Tour. I have my fingers, (and toes) crossed.😎

If you look closely at this photo, (which I surreptitiously snapped in the “Music of the Midwest” exhibit), you will not only see the Trout Hat, but a photo of young Near wearing it. It’s actually a nice little nod to REO Speedwagon.

Much love…kc

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