Rockers In Recovery® - Rockin' The Great State of Maine

WALPOLE, Maine - May 9, 2016 - PRLog -- This event is free to all and open to the public. Why?, it's time to bring awareness and education about the current Heroin Epidemic. This epidemic is devastating the great state of Maine and the United States as a whole, with 120 deaths a day nationwide.

The Rockers in Recovery® team will be heading to Maine this summer, to share their unique message of hope through music that will benefit the following organizations;

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held each year on August 31 and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.

The Choopers Foundation, which provides financial assistance to harm reduction and recovery community initiatives, and focuses on innovative projects and programs that address the needs of the underserved.

Now, decades into recovery from hard-core drug and alcohol addictions, a handful of members from some of the hottest rock bands of the 1970s and '80s are joining forces to prove to musicians and music lovers alike a greater truth: Life after sobriety can still be a rocking good time. Maine Love of Recovery Music Festival will be featuring five bands and solo acts, plus the following RIR special guest rockers;

Band Director - George Massengill on Keys (Chillbillies)
Andy(Babe)Pace on Drums(Gary US Bonds)
Basil Bankston bringing the Vocals (The Platters)
Don Taylor on the Sax  (Lynyrd Skynyrd Band)
Tony Fellows on Lead Guitar (RIR All Star Band Member)
Davis  Mitchell on Guitar (Chillbillies)
Daniel Holt on Bass (Johnny B. and The Road Dogs)

With More Special Guest Rockers To Be Announced'

The concept began 8 years ago when RIR Founders Lori Sullivan & John Hollis started interviewing rockers in recovery and landed on a topic important to both of them: recovery. After investing about $100,000 of their own money into getting Rockers in Recovery off the ground in which Hollis & Sullivan paid for the first four festivals out of their own pockets back in 2011 and 2012, Why ? "because of lack of support" from the recovery field.

Feb.14, 2015 Quote by Tom Coderre ,Senior White House Advisor to SAMHSA -" Rockers In Recovery® brings the private treatment sector, addiction education, and the addiction advocacy non-profit sector together in a unique way as no one else  is doing anywhere in the United States. What makes RIR unique, the message is all around and through the universal language of music with some great rockers of our day. They combine it with educational speakers and advocacy groups. RIR brings it all together at their community addiction education meet and greets, and addiction awareness and prevention concerts/festivals"

The thinking and actions around the RIR camp are simple; educate, help people in need of help for a loved one or themselves.  RIR teams up with addiction professionals that are present at all of these shows, in order to provide answers to people seeking help. People can go right to the recovery information tent manned all day to help everyone. Each show has bands and solo acts along with a list of 10 minute addiction professional speaker in between bands. RIR is educating while have fun in a fun loving environment.

The great news is years later all festivals and events are now payed by Rockers In Recovery Radio and Productions Inc. and the financial backing of Recovery Partners like Clearbrook Treatment Centers of Pennsylvania ,The Shores Treatment and Recovery of Florida and The Laboratory Solution of New Jersey to name a few. Through the Recovery Partners sponsorship they get to provide free community education and information on help for addiction. Simply put Rockers In Recovery Festivals and Events is where Recovery Education & Rock-N-Roll Come Together.

Amazing how the concept of recovery concerts/festival to carry a message of education & advocacy is being duplicated by many in the addiction recovery movement. It's happening all over the United States. Look forward to seeing everyone in Maine. Learn more @ http://www.rockersinrecovery.com

The Rockers In Recovery® RIR special guest past and current rockers; -- The Musicians whom gave of their time freely to support the recovery lifestyle include;George Massengill on Keys (Chillbillies), Andy(Babe)Pace(Gary US Bonds), Basil Bankston bringing the Vocals (The Platters),Tony Fellows on Lead Guitar (RIR All Star Band Member), Davis Mitchell on Guitar (Chillbillies),Daniel Holt on Bass (Johnny B. and The Road Dogs), Peter Keys of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Don Tyler of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Past; Lou Esposito (The Capri's), Simon Kirke (Bad Co.), and Ian Hunter (Mott The Hoople), Michael Des Barres, Marge Raymond (ELO),LaLa Brooks (The Crystals), Gene Cornish (The Rascals), Peppy Castro (Blue Magoo's), David Uosikkinen (The Hooters), and Tommy Conwell of the Young Rumblers.

RIR special guest RIR Rockers who have been paid per musical performances include; Lou Esposito(The Capri's), Jeff Gantz (Johnny Winter), Ricky Byrd (Joan Jett), Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel), Richie Supa (Aerosmith), Kasim Sulton ( Todd Rundgren), Christine Ohlman (SNL Band), and Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge).