Cortland Rep to Welcome 1950s Tribute Band The Rave-Ons for Fundraiser, 9/19-20

Due to the overwhelming popularity, Cortland Repertory Theatre has arranged for a return engagement of the 1950's Pop Hit Tribute band The RAVE-ONS for two fall concerts as a fund raiser for their Capital Campaign. Dubbed "America's Traveling Buddy Holly Tribute Band", The RAVE-ONS is led by Todd Meredith, who starred in CRT's hit 2013 musical "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" and can currently be seen on the CRT stage in "Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash".

The fall concerts will be held on Friday September 19 and Saturday September 20 at 7:30 PM at 19 Church Street in Cortland, the former United Community Church. Seating is General Admission and is available on a first-come, first-served basis; Post-It notes will be available when the doors open at 7:00 PM in order for attendees to save their seats. Tickets are $30 per person, and the facility is handicapped accessible with an elevator to the second floor theatre.

The concert is sponsored by RealtyUSA and CFCU Community Credit Union and hosted by the CRT Board of Directors. Refreshments will be available before the concert and at intermission, with beer provided by the Cortland Beer Company and wine by Americana Winery. Cookies will be provided by Linani's Cookies/Briggs Hall in Homer.

CRT Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson points out that though this is the Rave-Ons second appearance in Cortland this year, they will be performing different songs than the previous spring concert, held in May. "Todd and his groups know a wealth of material from the 1950's, and are fantastic at performing with the passion and energy that goes along with the hit songs from that time period." The concert will feature hits made popular by Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and many others. Thompson also points out that one of Meredith's first professional jobs was as a CRT Performing Intern, and he's always had a special place for Cortland in his heart. "It's great to have Todd and his group back after the two sold-out concerts this past spring." Thompson says.

The Rave-Ons formed in 2009 while performing together in a production of "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" in Reno, Nevada. Since then, the band has played all over the USA, rocking audiences from Florida to Missouri, Massachusetts to Colorado, including the iconic B.B. King's Blues Club on 42nd Street in New York City. In addition to Meredith, the band includes Jeremy Renner on guitar, Bill Morey on upright and electric bass, and Joe Cosmo Cogen on drums.

Tickets for this fund raiser are on sale now at CRT Downtown, 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland, online at cortlandrep.org, or by calling 800-427-6160. CRT suggests calling soon, as tickets are selling briskly.

Pictured: "The Rave-Ons", with Todd Meredith, Bill Morey and Joe Cosmo Cogen, will perform two benefit concerts for Cortland Repertory Theatre on September 19 and 20.