Robinson Brothers Concert II committee members include (front row, left to right) Joann Anderson, Jane Martin, Paula Endress, Kate Poirot, Jen Henrichs, and Denise Timpe. Back row, Tonya Flannery, Denise DeLaCruz, Nancy Hyam, Bill Borklund, Brian Guinn, Bill Montgomery, Meghan Hyam, Jan Meyers, Alisha Heyen and Melissa Leonard. Not pictured are Shayla Grosenheider, Sharon Cordani, Pat Aten, Maria Clark, Becky Bishop and Marilyn Pastrovich.

LITCHFIELD— HSHS St. Francis Foundation will host the Robinson Brothers Homecoming Concert II on Sat., Oct. 5, 2019. The Robinson Brothers, Robby and Rex, two of central Illinois’ rock ‘n’ roll legends, return to their native Litchfield accompanied by an all-star band. The theme of the event is Our Hearts have always been in Litchfield.

The Robinson Brothers are from Litchfield and graduated from Litchfield High School. The brothers are excited to return to their hometown and stated, “Help support this great cause which is so fitting as our hearts have always been in Litchfield.”

Hospital President and CEO Jim Timpe added, “It’s going to be an awesome event under the big top! Thank you, Robby and Rex and your all-star band members. I also want to thank everyone who is helping to organize the concert as it is a huge undertaking. Most are volunteers and your support is greatly appreciated. Special recognition goes out to the Prairie Heart Institute of Illinois. This popular and exciting event is an opportunity for us to highlight and enhance our partnership with Prairie Heart of Illinois, our event co-presenter.  Prairie Heart is recognized as one of the premier cardiology providers in the country, bringing cutting edge heart care to central Illinois for over 30 years. St. Francis has a long-standing relationship with Prairie – we’ve been working together for several decades to provide cardiac care in Litchfield, including cardiac testing, heart attack care including direct access to cardiac catheterization at our sister hospital St. Johns and cardiac rehabilitation right here in Litchfield. Together we plan to build on this model and bring the latest cutting edge non-invasive cardiac testing and treatment to our community.  The first part of this plan involves upgrading to the latest generation of diagnostic cardiac equipment, including stress testing and EKG services. Raising funds to purchase equipment related to heart care is a very good cause as we all have either had personal experience or have known someone who has had heart issues. It’s going to be a great time that you won’t want to miss!”

Paula Endress, director of philanthropy at the hospital said, “We are honored that Robby and Rex are returning home again to graciously benefit our hospital. They are bringing an all-star cast of their music industry friends. This is good news for all of our hearts!”

The event will be held outdoors under a large tent between the hospital and Litchfield Family Practice Center. Doors will open at 5:45 p.m. with the concert starting at 7 p.m.

HSHS St. Francis Hospital Foundation board chairperson and member of the concert committee, Joann Anderson, added, “I want to thank all the members of the concert committee. They include Jane Martin, Paula Endress, Nancy Hyam, Meghan Hyam, Jen Henrichs, Denise Timpe, Jan Meyers, Denise DeLaCruz, Alisha Heyen, Kate Poirot, Bill Borklund, Bill Montgomery, Becky Bishop, Marilyn Pastrovich, Brian Guinn, Tonya Flannery, Melissa Leonard, Shayla Grosenheider, Sharon Cordani, Maria Clark and Pat Aten. We are all looking forward to a magical night of spectacular music.”

Individual tickets are now available and include $100, and $200 seating locations within the tent. Tickets must be purchased in advance. No tickets will be sold at the door. The $200 ticket includes self-serve hors d’oeuvres with table seating and a concert t-shirt. The $100 ticket includes self-serve hors d’oeuvres buffet with no reserved seating. The concert will be held rain or shine underneath the tent. No refunds will be available and every person attending must purchase a ticket. Coolers, beverages and lawn chairs are not allowed.

There also are several sponsorship opportunities available for the event which includes some fantastic perks. The Hearts of Gold sponsorship ($10,000) includes one prominent table seating for 10, served hors d’oeuvres and 60 drink tickets. This level receives verbal recognition at the event and in the program. They also receive a full-page ad in the program. Also included is invitation to a pre-event reception with the musicians reserved event parking and 10 event t-shirts. Hearts of Gold sponsors also receive recognition on the hospital donor wall.

Blessed Hearts sponsors ($5,000) receive one table seating for 10, served hors d’oeuvres and 30 complimentary drink tickets. They will get verbal recognition at the event and one half-page ad in the program. It includes reserved event parking, 10 t-shirts and an invitation to the pre-event reception with the musicians.  This sponsorship also receives recognition on hospital donor wall.

Brave Hearts sponsors ($2,500) receive one table seating for 10, served hors d’oeuvres, recognition in the event program, recognition on the hospital donor wall and 10 event t-shirts. They also have the opportunity to meet with the musicians at a pre-event reception.

Robbie and Rex both have scores of mainstream music production credits. Robby Robinson is a keyboard whiz and Hammond organ artist with a career spanning 50 years. From Liza Minelli to Eddie Harris, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra to Albert King, The Ventures, the Commodores and The Turtles. Robby is best known as the music director/keyboard- ist for Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons since 1978. Rex Robinson has over 40 years’ experience playing the low notes and keeping the foundation for such superstars as Peggy Lee, The  Beach Boys, Liza Minelli and The  Four Tops, just to name a few. He played bass and sang bass for Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons for more than 20 years.

Other all-star band members for the Oct. 5, 2019 event will include:

Guest Stars:

• Joey Dee is the “Godfather of the Twist.” Joey will be rocking Litchfield with his hits,
• including “The Peppermint Twist.”
• Chris Montez brings his hit records, “Let’s Dance,” “The More I See You” and “Call Me,” to Litchfield for the first time.
• Steve March-Torme is an extraordinary vocalist-recording artist who electrified Litchfield at the last Robinson Brothers Homecoming.
• Travis Cloer is a Broadway star/recording artist who holds the honor of having played the role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys longer than any other actor.

Superstar Litchfield horn section:

• Tom “Bones” Malone, trombone, is one of the world-famous Blues Brothers, part of the Dave Letterman band for 25 years, Saturday Night Live, as well as in more than 1,000 records and 4,000 TV shows.
• “Blue Lou” Marini, tenor sax, is another Blues Brother who’s also played with such legends as Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Frank Zappa, James Taylor … and many more.
• Doc Kupka, aka the “Funky Doctor,” has been the iconic baritone sax player in Tower of Power for 50 years. In addition, Doc has written most of their hits.
• Bobby Burns, trumpet, rounds out the horn section, and is the current trumpet player for the superstar group Earth, Wind and Fire.

Band members:

• Chuck Wilson is a product of Litchfield and has been making music with Robby and Rex  since they were all teenagers, back to the Far Cryse days. Chuck toured with Frankie Valli for years, singing and playing drums and percussion.
• Fino Roverato is an awesome guitarist/singer who toured with Robby and Rex and Frankie Valli. It doesn’t get much better than Fino.
• Craig Pilo is an amazing drummer who toured with Frankie Valli for 13 years. He played drums for the last Robinson Brothers Homecoming and knocked it out of the park.

Concert and ticket information is located on the hospital’s website at www.stfrancis-litchfield.org  on the hospital’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/StFrancisLitchfield , and at www.facebook.com/RobinsonBrothersBand.