What Was it Like to Meet Kevin Cronin of Reo Speedwagon at DTE?

One of the coolest things I've ever done was having the chance to meet one of my favorite singers back in the '90s at DTE Energy Music Theater in Clarkston, Michigan.

Yes, we're talking about the '80s group, REO Speedwagon with lead singer Kevin Cronin.

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REO Speedwagon has been around for decades and have come out with quite a few hits over the years.  Some of those songs include:

Keep on Loving You

Can't Fight This Feeling

In My Dreams

Time For Me to Fly

Roll With the Changes  (and so many more hit songs)

So how did I meet Kevin Cronin and the rest of REO Speedwagon?

It started back in the mid '90s when I was on the air asking for listeners to join my golf outing for Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

A local listener called me on the request lines and asked if he could play golf on my foursome team and I said yes.

Long story short, my friend Gary, told me that he knew Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon.  At first I thought he was playing a joke on me, but come to find out, it was not a joke!

That particular summer, Gary asked me if I wanted to see REO Speedwagon at DTE Energy Music Theater which included backstage passes to meet not only Kevin Cronin, but all of the members of REO Speedwagon.

Of course I said yes and I asked if it was okay to bring my brother Darin as well.  Gary said no problem.

So here's the best part, we drove to the REO Speedwagon concert and got there a little early and drove straight to the back of DTE Energy Music Theater where the tour buses were parked.

As we pulled up near the tour buses, guess who was outside just walking around and talking with his daughter, KEViN CRONIN!  I couldn't believe my eyes.

We all got out of the car and my friend Gary, introduced us all to Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon.  This was the coolest day ever!

Keven was extremely nice and we spent some time talking to him before the concert started and he even personally thanked me for playing all of their songs on our radio station.

That was one of the best concerts I've ever seen and I couldn't thank my friend Gary enough, for getting the opportunity to meet the legendary Kevin Cronin.

That same summer we all went to see REO Speedwagon at the Ionia Free Fair, hung out with Kevin and the boys and had a blast.

Just wanted to add that REO Speedwagon goes out of their way to treat their fans with the utmost respect.  They really appreciate their fans and put on a great show.

REO Speedwagon will perform at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 at 8 p.m.