Cubs’ voice Len Kasper takes stage with ensemble cast of Chicago and Boston musicians at
Wrigleyville’s Metro on June 2 to raise money for youth and families from disadvantaged
neighborhoods 
Concert presented by Chicago Trading Company and GE Capital;
Tickets Go On Sale Saturday, May 6, at Noon CDT

Chicago, IL – Music and baseball are set to collide at Wrigleyville’s iconic Metro June 2, when Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons and Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper bring Hot Stove Cool Music back to Chicago after recently hosting an exciting Boston show. They join an All-Star lineup of musicians and personalities for the 6th Annual Hot Stove Cool Music Chicago benefit concert, presented by Chicago Trading Company and GE Capital.

Benefiting Cubs Charities and Epstein’s Foundation To Be Named Later, the fundraiser will feature ensemble performances by Peter Gammons and the Boston Hot Stove All-Stars, Theo Epstein, Len Kasper and the Chicago Hot Stove All-Stars, Daxx Nielsen of Cheap Trick, Scott Lucas of Local H, Jason Narducy of Split Single, Kelly Hogan, Nora O’Connor, Gerald Dowd, Freda Love Smith of Blake Babies, as well as other special guests. Joining the night will be WXRT-FM host Lin Brehmer and former Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster, who will serve as the evening’s emcees.

Tickets go on sale this Saturday, May 6 at noon CDT at www.etix.com. General admission tickets are $75. VIP tickets also are available for $400 and include a pre-show reception with early entrance, complimentary food and beverages.

“It’s shaping up to be a great weekend of baseball, music and giving back,” Epstein said. “I’m thankful and humbled by the generosity of the players, bands and sponsors who donate their time, energy and most importantly their passion to help raise money to create opportunity for underserved kids in our communities.”

In addition to the All-Star music lineup, the evening will feature a number of special guests and surprises and a live and silent auction featuring signed sports memorabilia and priceless entertainment experiences.

Hot Stove Cool Music was founded in 2000 by Gammons and former Boston Herald sports writer Jeff Horrigan. The biannual event has raised more than $9 million for Theo and Paul Epstein’s Foundation To Be Named Later.  Foundation To Be Named Later was founded in 2005 by Epstein and his twin brother Paul as a means to create positive change and important opportunities for youth and families from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Everyone who participates in Hot Stove Cool Music donates their time and talent, which allows concert proceeds to go directly to supporting youth and families.

Hot Stove Cool Music is presented by Chicago Trading Company and GE Capital and sponsored by Atlantis Cars and Limousines, Victory Park Capital, Key Bank, Metro, Grosvenor Capital, Google, Ironwood Cancer and Research Center, KPMG, Greenberg Traurig, Lollapalooza, Walmart, Belvedere Trading, Scott and Ella Goldstein, Athletes on the Move, Rich Bergman, Craig and Rebeca Huffman, WXRT, William Blair and Vienna Beef.

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About Hot Stove Cool Music
Hot Stove Cool Music is a biannual charity concert and musical variety show held in Boston in the winter and in Chicago in the summer months, making its debut in Chicago in summer 2012. The event was created in December of 2000 by Hall of Fame baseball journalist Peter Gammons and former Boston Herald sports writer Jeff Horrigan. Over the past 17 years, Hot Stove Cool Music has become a staple on Boston’s entertainment calendar and has raised more than $9 million for Theo and Paul Epstein’s Foundation To Be Named Later.  Headliners who donate their time and talent include, Eddie Vedder, James Taylor, Cheap Trick, Tom Morello, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Smashing Pumpkins, Dropkick Murphys and more.

About Foundation To Be Named Later (FTBNL)
Foundation To Be Named Later (FTBNL) was launched in 2005 by Paul Epstein, a social worker in Boston, MA area and his twin brother, former Boston Red Sox Executive Vice President/General Manager and current Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein. The mission of FTBNL is to raise funds and awareness for nonprofit agencies, working on the front lines, serving youth and families from disadvantaged neighborhoods in Boston & Chicago. FTBNL invests in programs that teach leadership, education and healthy development of families.

Since inception, FTBNL has raised over $9 million and donated grants, scholarships, and in-kind donations to 301 non-profit organizations, 71 Peter Gammons College Scholars and has sent approximately 6,500 children, who would not otherwise get the chance to go to a game, to Cubs and Red Sox home games. The Peter Gammons/FTBNL College Scholarship is the signature program of FTBNL and has sent 71 young people with high financial needs and high educational potential to the college of their choice. Each Gammons Scholar also gets an adult mentor and a laptop computer to ensure college success. For more information on Foundation To Be Named Later programs and events, or to make a donation, please visit www.foundationtobenamedlater.org.

About Cubs Charities
Cubs Charities harnesses the passion of Cubs fans to improve the lives of children and families across Chicago and beyond. Cubs Charities’ goal is to provide increased access to sports opportunities and target improvements in health, fitness and education for those at risk. Through grants to quality nonprofit programs, development of parks and baseball fields, and other community initiatives, the Cubs and Cubs Charities help fulfill a commitment to be the best in the game, on and off the field. For more information, visit www.cubscharities.org.

About Metro
Metro is one of the country’s most renowned independent concert venues.  Established in July 1982, Metro has become a playground for new and developing local artists as well as showcasing the best cutting edge bands from around the globe for over twenty-five years.  For more information, visit http://www.metrochicago.com.act

Media Contact
Keith Gainsboro, Elevate Communications: 617-895-7905, keith@elevatecom.com
Alyson Cohen, Chicago Cubs: 773-404-4128, acohen@cubs.com
Shannon Shreibak, Metro: 773-549-4140 ext 212, Shannon@metrochicago.com