Tim Brown, REO Speedwagon, Big Sam’s Funky Nation To Headline 15th Annual R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Luncheon And Concert
NEW ORLEANS – Heisman Trophy recipient and recent Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Tim Brown, will be the guest speaker at the 2015 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl annual luncheon on Friday, December 18, 2015, at the New Orleans Marriott, at 12:00 p.m.
One of the greatest collegiate and professional wide receivers to ever play the game, Brown began his football career at the University of Notre Dame. He played professionally with the Los Angeles Raiders for 16 years, achieving countless notable accomplishments, including his 1,094 career receptions, which ranks fifth in NFL history.
Following the 2015 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Luncheon, the events continue with the fifth annual "Friday Night Concert" at 7:00 p.m. in Champions Square. REO Speedwagon will headline the concert and Big Sam's Funky Nation will take the stage as this year's additional musical guest.
The R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Friday Night Concert is free and open to the public.
"The Friday Night Concert is the perfect way for both visiting and local fans to kick-off a great weekend of R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl events, and we are especially excited to welcome REO Speedwagon and Big Sam's Funky Nation to deliver a free and one-of-a-kind performance in Champions Square," said the Bowl's Executive Director Billy Ferrante.
Formed in 1967, signed in 1971, and fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972, REO Speedwagon has rocked to the top of the charts with a RIAA-certified 22 million albums sold in the U.S., 40 million around the globe, and a string of worldwide hit singles. The group's landmark album, Hi Infidelity, spent 15 weeks in the #1 slot and went on to earn nine-times certified platinum sales. Thirty-five years since that release, Cronin and bandmates Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums) are still electrifying concert audiences with fan favorites such as "Keep On Loving You," "In Your Letter," "Can't Fight This Feeling," "Take It On the Run," "Time For Me To Fly," "Roll With The Changes," and more.
A group of world-class musicians, Big Sam's Funky Nation plays to the tunes of urban funk, combining elements of jazz, rock and big band music. Big Sam has made a name for himself playing alongside the likes of Elvis Costello, Dave Matthews and Widespread Panic. He also shared a stage with U2 and Green Day at the reopening of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in 2006. With an international fan base from countries such as France, Greece, Brazil and Canada, Big Sam's Funky Nation never fails to put on an unforgettable show.
The R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Luncheon and Friday Night Concert will begin the fan-centered events surrounding the 2015 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The 2015 game will be played Saturday, December 19, at 8:00 p.m., in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Creating an estimated annual economic impact of $25 million for the City of New Orleans, this year's matchup will again include a representative from the Sun Belt Conference against a Conference USA opponent.
