Country Music Superstars Trailer Choir, Chuck Wicks and Keith Anderson have teamed up with The Joe Niekro Foundation for a weekend of festivities in Houston, TX, April 27th and 28th. It’s all in celebration of the 3rd Annual Knuckle Ball…A Pitch for Life, with proceeds benefitting brain aneurysm research, treatment and education.
Friday, April 27th will kick things off at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar with a special acoustic, in the round performance, beginning at 8P. Patrons will hear hits like Rockin’ the Beer Gutt, Off the Hillbilly Hook and Shakin’ that Tailgate from Trailer Choir, Stealing Cinderella, All I Ever Wanted and Old School from Chuck Wicks, and Every Time I Hear Your Name, Pickin’ Wildflowers and Lost In This Moment from Keith Anderson. These hits plus many more will fill the stage and make country music memories, while attendees experience an up close and personal view of these country megastars.
The festivities continue at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, April 28th as the entertainers will be joined by athletes from across the country at the 3rd Annual Knuckle Ball…A Pitch for Life, as they pay tribute to the beloved 13-year Houston Astros All-Star, Joe Niekro. At the peak of his Major League Baseball pitching career, Joe Niekro was famous for his command of the knuckleball, a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. Like a knuckleball, Niekro’s life took an unpredictable path on October 27, 2006, when he died suddenly from a ruptured brain aneurysm.
Niekro served 22 years in the Major Leagues, 13 of those with the Houston Astros. He became the team’s first 20-game winner, and remains the all-time leader in wins among Astros pitchers. Teaming up with his brother, Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, the two combined for 539 wins over their respective careers making them the most successful brother combination in Major League history.
In honor of his memory, daughter Natalie Niekro created The Joe Niekro Foundation, with a mission to raise funds for brain aneurysm research, treatment and help bring public awareness to this devastating condition affecting as many as 1 in 15 people.
A number of Astros players, along with former MLB, NFL and NBA Stars, will be on hand at the black-tie gala, featuring a reception, formal dinner, silent and live auction (for a list of previous attendees, click here). Joe’s brother and Hall of Fame pitcher, Phil Niekro will serve as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, with a special presentation of The 2012 Joe Niekro Humanitarian Award to Haynes and Boone, LLP Partner and current Chairman of the Board of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, J. Kent Friedman.
We invite you to join us for a weekend of fun as we raise money for a condition that is killing thousands every year. For tickets and more information on both events and The Joe Niekro Foundation, visit www.joeniekrofoundation.org/knuckleball.
April 27th – 8P – Country Music Concert
Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar, 1031 E. 24th St. Houston, TX 77009
Tickets: $75
April 28th – 6:36P – Knuckle Ball…A Pitch for Life (Joe Niekro’s #36 symbolizes the start time)
Minute Maid Park, 501 Crawford Street, Houston, Texas 77002
Tickets: Individual Tickets start at $336, with table sponsorships ranging from $5,036-$25,036.
