Theo Epstein's Hot Stove Cool Music Heats Up With Special Guest "Headliner To Be Named Later" at Wrigleyville's Metro July 9

CHICAGO (May 19, 2015) - Music and baseball will be in the same lineup again at Wrigleyville's Metro, Thursday, July 9, when Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons and Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper join an all-star lineup of musicians and personalities for the fourth annual Hot Stove Cool Music Chicago benefit concert. The annual event celebrates music, baseball and giving back. The show is presented by Chicago Trading Company.

Benefiting Epstein's Foundation To Be Named Later (FTBNL), the fundraiser will feature ensemble performances by a special guest "headliner to be named later" (at the headliner's request) and noted rockers from Chicago and Boston. The lineup includes Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins), John Stirratt (Wilco), Daxx Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Jennifer Hall, Matt Spiegel and Curt Morrison (Tributosaurus), Freda Love Smith (Blake Babies, Mysteries of Life), Jake Smith (Mysteries of Life), Gerald Dowd, Jason Narducy (Split Single, Bob Mould) and more. Epstein, Gammons and Kasper also will perform with the bands. WXRT's Lin Brehmer, actor Joel Murray and actor/comedian Mike O'Malley will serve as the evening's emcees.

"The foundation is grateful for the incredible generosity of the musicians, sponsors and fans who dedicate their time, effort, energy and most importantly, their passion to help us provide opportunities for Chicago youth by supporting the organizations that work tirelessly as their advocates," said Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations and FTBNL co-founder Theo Epstein. "We've collectively raised more than $6 million and look forward to increasing that total this year through another great night of music, baseball and giving back."

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 22, at noon CDT. General admission tickets are $75, and there will be no service fees for cash purchases. Fans can purchase tickets online at www.metrochicago.com or in person at the Metro Box Office located at 3730 N. Clark St. VIP tickets also will be available at www.ftbnl.org.

In addition to the all-star music lineup, the evening will include several special guests as well as live and silent auctions 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 $6 million for the Foundation To Be Named Later. FTBNL was founded in 2005 by Epstein and his brother, Paul Epstein, as a means to create positive opportunities for disadvantaged youth and families.

Hot Stove Cool Music is sponsored by Chicago Trading Co., Ascendance Partners, Athletes on the Move, Atlantis Cars & Limos, Budweiser, Chicago Cubs, Comcast, Credit Suisse, Ella & Scott Goldstein, Freedom Boat Club, Grosvenor Capital Mgmt., KPMG, Metro, The Alter Group, Victory Park Capital, Walmart, WGN-TV and WXRT-FM.

Nonprofit beneficiaries include Chicago Children's Choir, Chicago Wapiti RFC, City Year Chicago, Family Reach Foundation, Garfield Park Little League, Girls in the Game, Jackie Robinson West, Marwen, Special Olympics and South Chicago Arts Center.

About Jimmy Chamberlin

Jimmy Chamberlin is a GRAMMY- winning musician, writer, producer and educator. Jimmy is a founding member of the Smashing Pumpkins and the band's highly acclaimed drummer for more than 20 years. He is currently the CEO/co-founder of Chicago-based LiveOne, Inc. This is Jimmy's third Hot Stove Cool Music appearance.

About John Stirratt

John Stirratt is a Chicago-based bassist, guitarist and producer. He is best known as a member and co-founder of Wilco, forming the band with Jeff Tweedy in 1994. He and collaborator Patrick Sansone have released five albums with The Autumn Defense since 1999. John has appeared on more than 30 records over a 25-year career.

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 15 years, Hot Stove Cool Music has become a staple on Boston's entertainment calendar and has raised more than $6 million for Theo and Paul Epstein's Foundation To Be Named Later. 

ABOUT FOUNDATION TO BE NAMED LATER (FTBNL)

Foundation To Be Named Later (FTBNL) was launched in Spring of 2005 by Paul Epstein, a social worker in the Brookline, Massachusetts, public school system, and his twin brother, former Boston Red Sox Executive Vice President/General Manager and current Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein. Named after the MLB trade term, player to be named later, the mission of FTBNL is to raise funds and awareness for nonprofit agencies, working on the front lines, serving disadvantaged youth and families. FTBNL invests in programs that teach leadership, education and healthy development of families.

FTBNL has given more than $6 million in grants and in-kind donations to more than 200 nonprofit organizations in Chicago and Boston and has sent approximately 4,000 children, who would not otherwise get the chance to go to a Cubs or Red Sox home game. The Peter Gammons/FTBNL College Scholarship (named in honor of Hall of Famer and FTBNL Champion, Peter Gammons) is the signature program of FTBNL and has sent more than 46 young people with high financial needs and high educational potential to the college of their choice. Each Gammons Scholar 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 METRO

Metro is one of the country's most renowned independent concert venues. Established in July 1982, Metro has become a hub for new and developing local, regional and national artists, as well as showcasing the best cutting edge bands from around the globe for more than thirty years. For more information, visit www.metrochicago.com.