BillingTree RockBlock Returns to Phoenix Nov. 5th; Multi-Platinum Classic Rock Headliner REO Speedwagon, Plus Fran Cosmo-Former Lead Singer of BOSTON-and Hollywood Band "Rossmore"

PHOENIX, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BillingTree® RockBlock™ returns to Phoenix Sat., Nov. 5, 5:30 pm, bringing a high energy lineup of classic rock favorites REO Speedwagon, the voice of BOSTON Fran Cosmo and Rossmore, who are led by a powerhouse of movie moguls including Bill Fay whose credits range from Independence Day to the Hangover movies. (www.MyBillingTree.com/RockBlock).

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CityScape, downtown Phoenix, Central Avenue from Washington to Jefferson takes over as the new venue for this annual charity rock festival, presented by Phoenix-based BillingTree, The Arizona Republic, 12 News and azcentral.com to kick-off the "Season For Sharing" campaign.  R Entertainment is again producing this high profile community event. Plus, fans will get satisfaction knowing 100% of ALL ticket monies (the entire $20 or $100 ticket amount) goes to local Valley charities through the "Season For Sharing" annual fund raising drive.

"This is the third BillingTree RockBlock and our first time as the kick-off event for Arizona Republic and 12 News annual holiday fundraising drive - Season For Sharing, and at the fantastic new CityScape venue," said Dan Willis of Phoenix-based BillingTree's Board of Directors. "The concert and festival atmosphere has grown every year and we couldn't be happier to have legendary acts whose music resonates across generations.  At BillingTree, we love music, we love to give, and we love to have a good time – we will continue to host and grow BillingTree RockBlock because as our slogan says We Give A Jam."

BIG TICKET VALUES.  BillingTree RockBlock tickets go on sale Monday, Sept. 19 at http://www.MyBillingTree.com/RockBlock or call 1.866.977.6849.  General admission is $20 or $25 the day of at the gate.  The $100 VIP ticket is a complete package that includes admission in the skyboxes above Central Avenue, dinner and drinks. Doors open at 5:30pm. 

PARKING.  CityScape has plenty of underground parking available to the public. Parking can be accessed on Washington, Jefferson or First Avenue and in addition has Light Rail stops nearby.

About BillingTree - The proven leader in on-demand payment processing, BillingTree empowers customers with competitive advantage through a simplification of the billing and receivables process. By delivering the most innovative technology while making it as easy and inexpensive as possible to accept payments, BillingTree has revolutionized the payments landscape. Our software-as-a-service (SaaS) model delivers industry-leading payment solutions, proven integration, and point-and-click simplicity. BillingTree's focus on innovation has allowed us to help more than 1,800 customers eliminate manual processes and automate their payment cycles. BillingTree – Growth is our Business. For more information, visit www.mybillingtree.com or call 877.4.BILLTREE.

About R Entertainment Company - R Entertainment Company is a national concert and events booking, marketing and production company based in Scottsdale, Arizona that manages 200 dates a year, including Award Winning Devoured Culinary Classic; AZ Centennial Copper Chopper,  Wildhorse Pass Ovations Showroom, Pepsi Amphitheater in Flagstaff, Talking stick Stadium special events,  private corporate events such as the American Express Chairman's event, as well as major touring acts such Sheryl Crow, Steve Martin, Jose Carreras, Kathy Griffin  Sinbad, Joe Walsh, BB King, and many, many others.  www.R-Entertainment.com

About Season For Sharing - Season for Sharing is The Arizona Republic and 12 News annual holiday fundraising drive. Through an eight-week news, editorial, direct mail and ad campaign, readers and viewers are encouraged to donate to Season for Sharing to help health and human service agencies in Arizona. Donations are matched through the Gannett Foundation and 100% of donations, plus the match, are distributed to local agencies that help at-risk children and families, improve educational skills, help domestic-violence victims and serve the elderly.

Last year, 137 agencies received $2.66 million, more than $46 million since the program began in 1993. In addition to creating community resources, the program increases awareness about social issues. Many of the agencies experience an influx of volunteers and donated goods during the campaign. Visit http://www.azcentral.com/season/index.html

BillingTree RockBlock Musical Lineup: REO Speedwagon, Fran Cosmo & Rossmore

About REO Speedwagon: REO Speedwagon Formed in 1967, signed in 1971 and fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972, REO Speedwagon has - for decades - been a confounding blend of consistency and change.

They rode in station wagons, going from tiny gigs to even tinier gigs, just to get the REO name out in the early days. Later they rode the top of the charts with a RIAA certified 22 million albums sold in the U.S. and 40 million around the globe, with a string of gold and platinum records and international hit singles. The 9-times certified Hi Infidelity remains a high-water mark for rock bands.

Make all the "Ridin' The Storm Out" or "Roll With The Changes" cracks you want, but that's exactly what the band has done. REO Speedwagon has that Midwest work ethic.

The band has gone onstage and in the studio and done the work, year after year - dozens of albums, hundreds (or thousands?) of concerts, infinite radio spins. The eyes have always been on the future and on the road - not a year has gone by where REO Speedwagon didn't perform live, thrilling fans with hits like "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling."

By the early '70s the band's unrelenting drive, non-stop touring and recording jump-started the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest. It carved a path eventually followed by STYX, Kansas, Cheap Trick and more. Platinum albums and freeform FM radio staples such as "Ridin' The Storm Out" followed, setting the stage for 1980's explosive Hi Infidelity.

The band's younger fans might not realize the sheer impact Hi Infidelity had on music and the culture of rock 'n' roll. Its 9 million in sales was fueled by huge hit singles in "Keep On Loving You" and "Take It On the Run." High Infidelity spent months in the #1 slot, a feat simply unattainable in music today. The strong run continued with hits like "Can't Fight This Feeling" up through the new "Can't Stop Rockin'."

When the talk turns to benefit concerts the names that come to mind are George Harrison, U2 and Bob Geldof. REO has quietly done its share, sans self-serving promotional tours, from appearing at the Live Aid concert in 1985, to a benefit for port authority workers after 9/11 and recent MusiCares shows, along with a "Ridin' The Storm Out" benefit concert that raised more than a half-million dollars for Iowa flood relief in 2008.

Today it's all about what it has always been - taking good care of the band's legacy while keeping the focus on the future. That may be even more important these days, Cronin believes.

About Fran Cosmo : Fran Cosmo, the former lead singer of the band BOSTON, is touring and performing with Anthony Cosmo, former guitarist and songwriter of the band BOSTON, performing all the greatest hits as well as new hits.  Night after night show rooms and festivals are packed with standing room only crowds.  With ticket sales in the tens of thousands Fran Cosmo is a MUST see in the world of live Rock and Roll shows.

About Rossmore: What does a producer of hit movies, The Hangover 1 & 2, Independence Day, Patriot, Superman, 300, Clash of the Titans, Dark Knight Returns, Town to name a few who's also the father of three teenage girls, do to relax and relieve stress?  He gathers fellow dads from his kids' school; they form a band and take it on the road. 

Fay and five other musicians --  Jed Daly, producer and film financier; Bill Birrell, founder, Sony Pictures Imageworks and writer/director; Rick Benoit, musician and visual FX pro; Ernie Scarborough, concert tour veteran musician and now music teacher; Steve Weeks, international mortgage banking -- comprise Rossmore, a Classic Rock Band named after the street where his girls go to school.  

About CityScape: CityScape is a mixed-use urban project located at the core of Downtown Phoenix and is the focal point for community activity. The downtown Phoenix resurgence includes completion of the 20 mile Light Rail Transit System, expansion of the Phoenix Convention Center, the growth of the Phoenix Biomedical Center, and the opening of the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus and the University of Arizona Medical School.

Visitors to CityScape are welcome at the first ever Gold's Gym Elite (with it's one of kind Cardio Cinema), CVS pharmacy, Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge, Designer District, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Urban Outfitters, Oakville Grocery, Stand-Up Live Comedy, Vitamin T, Charming Charlie, and Republic of Couture, Par Exsolance, Jimmy John's, The arrogant Butcher, Tilted Kilt and Yogurtini open to the public. This broad retail mix and the accompanying day and night list of activities and concerts in the destinations renovated Patriot's Square, compliment the diverse downtown population which includes event attendees, conventioneers, residents, office workers, and out of town visitors. Everyone at CityScape can experience something uniquely Phoenix and sample the energy and excitement of a destination worthy of the zero zero address for the entire metropolitan valley.

Follow BillingTree RockBlock on:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/BillingTree
Twitter - @BTRockBlock

Donations Accepted and Corporate Giving Packages Available, learn more at www.MyBillingTree.com/RockBlock

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Contact:
Dave Yohe
BillingTree Corporate Marketing Director
602.443.5900
[email protected]

SOURCE BillingTree