Dell Diamond to host concert benefiting service members and their families (updated)

Update 5/7/08:

I found out today that the concert has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. Since the proceeds (meaning profits) of this endeavor were to go to Operation Homefront, and there weren't going to be any proceeds, I guess it was decided to cancel the event completely instead of putting on the "benefit" concert at a loss... I'm disappointed the concert wasn't able to go on and do a lot of good for our military and their families.

When I got home from work this evening, since I couldn't pick up the radio station carrying tonight's Express game, I went to the website to at least get the score (they won over Memphis tonight, 7-5). One of the headline stories caught my eye: "PlayforFreedom.com Concert Series" and "Mark Chesnutt Headlines May 10 Concert". From the Express story:

Charity Concerts is proud to announce a new concert series beginning May 10, 2008, with a “kick off” concert at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas. This event will be followed by nine other concerts across the nation. These fundraising concerts will directly benefit active and reserve military troops and their families, veterans, wounded warriors and the families of our fallen heroes.

The headlining act for the May 10, 2008 show is Texas Favorite, Mark Chesnutt. He is joined by Micky and the Motorcars, Jarrod Birmingham, Tommy Alverson, Haley Scarnato, The Pear Ratz, Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros, and Sgt. Tony Hill & Whitehorse, all jammed into an eight-hour show. Also added to the Round Rock show are two up and coming country artists, Britni Hoover and Curtis Grimes. The national tour kicks off in July with many country music superstars.

Partnering with Charity Concerts in this endeavor is Budweiser/Brown Distributing, which salutes those who proudly serve and invites you to support the cause by attending this event. All tickets are General Admission; $39 for premium infield and $29 for seated.

You can buy tickets here. However, if you can afford to be more generous than simply buying a ticket or two to attend, they are still open to someone stepping up to help sponsor the event:

Sponsorship packages are also available and offer great exposure to businesses, with proceeds going to military families in Texas, specifically Williamson, Travis and surrounding counties.
...
To be a part of this great benefit series, join as a sponsor, volunteer, or just send kind words of inspiration, please contact the Austin manager of Charity Concert Events LLC, Kelly Sue Nedrow at kelly@charityconcertevents.com or (512) 673-7514.

From looking at the PlayForFreedom.com website, the proceeds from this concert series will go to Operation Homefront. I'll be checking my schedule to see if there is any way I can help.

One thing I will say: this concert is on a Saturday afternoon. There will not be any real shade either in the seats ($29) or on the field ($39) when it starts at 1pm. WEAR SUNSCREEN! I was out there on April 13 for a 2:05 game and got sunburned sitting on the left field berm, even though it wasn't all that hot. Also, from the ticket purchase site: NO CHAIRS OR SEATS ON THE FIELD. I'm sure that is not only saying there will not be chairs set up, but that you ARE NOT allowed to bring chairs out there. There is brand new turf on the entire field (the first time the turf has been replaced since the inaugural season in 2000), and the Express won't want it messed up. I'm going to guess that blankets are more than welcome, though. Even if it has been rainy prior to the concert, the field shouldn't be too bad: there is a very expensive drainage system under the field - the Express never had to cancel a game because of rain until last summer, and that was an usually wet one. 5/4/08 - I was able to get a little bit more information from someone who works out at the ballpark. The stage will be erected out at second base, and the infield will be covered and there will be folding chairs.

I will offer this bit of advice, though: since this is an 8-hour concert, if you go, and get the $29 tickets to have a seat, find a spot anywhere from section 119 (directly behind home plate) on down the third base line to in front of the "Hot Corner Grill" concession stand: these sections get the shade first. Just some helpful hints from someone who is at the ballpark a lot ;-)