Briggs & Stratton Sponsors Rocktober at EXPO

MILWAUKEE, Wis. Opening night entertainment at this year’s International Lawn, Garden & Power Equipment Expo (EXPO 2005) promises to be a rockin’ good time with music by Paul Revere & The Raiders. Rocktober – A Dealer Event, scheduled for Friday, October 14 at 5 p.m., is sponsored by Briggs & Stratton. This free event will be open to all dealers, retailers, international visitors and exhibitors. EXPO 2005, which is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, is set for October 14 to 16 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

Paul Revere & The Raiders have been entertaining audiences for 45 years – and they’re still making music with their founder at the helm. While many groups have had hits, there are very few acts that can entertain an audience with their combination of musical skill, high energy and comedy.

Making this a truly unique industry event, The Briggs Bluesbusters will open the concert. This Briggs & Stratton house band has 11 members (eight are company employees), including John Shiely, chairman, president and CEO, as rhythm guitarist. The Bluesbusters have opened for top bands including: The Beach Boys; Ray Charles; Blood, Sweat & Tears; and James Brown. They have also competed in Fortune magazine’s Corporate Battle of the Bands at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, finishing No. 2 in the competition. The band plays covers by soul and blues-based rock artists as well as the company anthem “Briggs & Stratton Man.” “They will be just as excited to open for Paul Revere and the Raiders and perform for all the industry members,” said George Thompson, vice president of corporate communications and community relations for Briggs & Stratton.

During Paul Revere & The Raiders’ career they have had hit records on the Billboard charts, starred on national television and played to enthusiastic audiences across the country.  The first rock group to be signed by Columbia Records, they had 25 consecutive hit singles, including “Kicks,” “Hungry,” “Just like me,” “Great Airplane Strike,” “Louie, Louie,” “Good Thing” and their Billboard No. 1 hit, “Indian Reservation.” Their latest CD, “Ride to the Wall,” benefits the Ride to the Wall Foundation, a non-profit organization making funds available to veterans’ outreach programs.
 
In addition to live music, attendees will enjoy hearty appetizers, drinks and an opportunity to network with other industry members in a relaxed setting.

Show manager Warren Sellers is excited about Briggs & Stratton’s participation in the event – as both sponsor and entertainer. “It will be fun to have members of the OPE industry on stage performing. This is the type of exhibitor involvement that helps keep the show fresh and fun. Dealers and retailers won’t want to miss this!”