Top Billing Down Under

From the infectiously melodic tunes of Five Star Iris to the high-energy, crowd pumping Tampa Bay Bucaneers Cheerleaders and the hilariously fresh and original comedy of Keith Barany, these high-caliber acts have come together to give audiences a show that’ll rock’em, sock’em and mock’em.

Five Star Iris

It’s been an incredible year for Five Star Iris – some might even say life-changing.  The band – Alan Schaefer, his twin brother Rob Schaefer, Alex Winfield, and Dan Fishman – started out 2007 on a high-note.  Supporting their debut full-length album FIVE STAR IRIS produced by the Grammy-winning Sylvia Massy-Shivy and Rich Veltrop, the band traveled far and wide to take their “modern version of classic rock” to fans all over the world.

A definite high point was getting radio airplay in a major market, as Salt Lake City’s KENZ 101.9 embraced the Atlanta-based band as one of their own.  Championed by program director and afternoon personality Parker, the songs “Let It All Out” and “Is There Something I Can Do” connected with listeners there – enough for the station to have the band come out and play.  The band has already been back a second time to show their support for the fans there.

A performance at the South By Southwest Music Conference, however, led the band on a very different touring path.  Performing at a showcase attended by Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE), they showed they had what it takes to perform for the best of the best – our servicemen and women.  Three months later, Five Star Iris was performing in the middle of the summer in Iraq.

Dubbed the “Summer In The Sandbox” tour, this joint effort by AFE and Navy Entertainment took the band to Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, and Djibouti.  Flying on military transport planes and sleeping in tents, it was truly the experience of a lifetime, and the impact it had on the band was immeasurable.  On their return, to give something back, the band created a commemorative “Summer In The Sandbox” T-shirt with the proceeds going to the wonderful Fisher House charity.  The shirt is available for sale on the band’s website along with a page dedicated to the Middle East tour.

The band’s military involvement didn’t end there.  They were flown to Washington, D.C. to perform at the Pentagon for the U.S. Air Force’s 60th Anniversary celebration.  And for New Year’s Eve they will be helping the sailors stationed at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba ring in 2008.  An additional military performance is on the books for Australia in the spring.

Amazingly, Five Star Iris found the time to record and release another document of their musical talent.  LIVE FOOLS was recorded live and “unplugged” at Wise Fool’s Pub in Chicago in April 2007.  Drawing from both their first EP and the FIVE STAR IRIS album, LIVE FOOLS presents the band in one of their most natural settings – playing intimately for their fans.  Included on LIVE FOOLS is the previously unreleased song “Hi-Fi Connection” as well as many other live favorites.

2008 promises to be another event-filled year for Five Star Iris both on the road and in the studio.  The band is finding great opportunities that will help them spread their music and positive message to everyone.  For Five Star Iris, it’s about sharing what you’ve got so that other people can share it too.

For more information go to www.fivestariris.com.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

They were there when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers first took the field on July 31, 1976, and they were there during the National Football League's 2002 season when the franchise finally took home the Lombardi Trophy.

They are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders, and they've been entertaining fans of the Buccaneers for over 27 years. Just as the Bucs have evolved from a struggling expansion team to World Champions, the Buccaneer Cheerleaders have developed into one of the National Football League's elite sideline squads. With their winning personalities, attractive uniforms and intricate dance routines, the beautiful women of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders have become an important part of the game day experience for many Bay area fans.

The Cheerleaders' impact is not limited to game day, however. Each year, members of the squad are in high demand for local community appearances, and they are a welcome part of every offseason team function, from FanFest to the Super Bowl Ring Ceremony. In addition, select members of the group serve as ambassadors for the NFL across the country and overseas. Just in the last few years, Buccaneer Cheerleaders have visited Asia, Germany, Egypt, Canada, California, Hawaii and Texas, often bringing encouragement to U.S. servicemen and women abroad.

For more information go to www.buccaneers.com/cheerleaders.

Keith Barany

Keith Barany has entertained US troops overseas, this year and last and has written for 2 legendary TV shows. He is the only "stand up" from a Nobel Prize winning family!

"One of the wittiest comedians working today" - The NY Post

He has shared the stage with:

• Bob Hope
• Jerry Seinfeld
• Ray Romano
• Larry David
• Joy Behar
• Richard Belzer
• Rita Rudner
• Jon Stewart
• Joan Rivers
• and many more.

He is most often noted for his customized material and his lightning fast improvs. Keith Barany is proof that comedians can be tasteful and hilarious without being corny.