Irsay to host ‘Colts Kickoff Concert’ on Sept. 8 at Lucas Oil Stadium

The night will feature a free concert by The Jim Irsay Band, an all-star band featuring some of the world’s most accomplished musicians:

• Kenny Aronoff, drums (Paul McCartney, John Mellencamp, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan)
• Billy Branch, harmonica (three-time Grammy® nominee)
• Tom Bukovac, guitar (played on more than 700 albums with major artists)
• Mike Mills, bass & vocals (founding member of R.E.M.)
• Danny Nucci, guitar, saxophone & vocals (actor, Titanic, The Rock)
• Michael Ramos, keyboards (Mellencamp, Patti Griffin, Paul Simon)
• Carmella Ramsey, violin, mandolin & vocals (Reba McEntire, John Hiatt, Olivia Newton-John)
• Kenny Wayne Shepherd, guitar & vocals (five-time Grammy® nominee)
• Mike Wanchic, guitar (Mellencamp).

What’s more, special guest performers for the Indianapolis show will be announced soon.

Guest performers at past shows have included John Mellencamp, Steven Stills (Crosby, Stills & Nash), blues legend Buddy Guy, Ann Wilson (Heart), John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival), Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Natalie Merchant (formerly of 10,000 Maniacs), Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), country music superstar Vince Gill, nine-time Grammy® nominee John Hiatt, four-time Grammy® nominee Robert Randolph and Peter Wolf (J. Geils Band).

The evening also will include an exhibition of pieces from The Jim Irsay Collection, including Irsay’s world-famous guitar and instrument collection, as well as historic and iconic artifacts from American history and popular culture. The exhibit also will include unique Colts artifacts and memorabilia from 40 seasons in Indianapolis.

The collection is highlighted by instruments and items owned and used by the greatest artists in music history, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, James Brown, Prince, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Johnny Cash, Jerry Garcia, Les Paul, David Gilmour, Miles Davis, Jim Morrison, Eddie Van Halen, Pete Townshend, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, John Coltrane, The Edge and other icons, as well as signed photos, handwritten lyrics, and other historic music memorabilia.

Outside of music, the collection includes signed Presidential documents and artifacts, important original documents from American history and other unique artifacts, such as an original “Wanted” poster for John Wilkes Booth, the original manuscript for Alcoholics Anonymous’ Big Book, a 1953 Jackie Robinson bat, Muhammad Ali’s title belt from the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle,” Jack Kerouac’s original typewritten manuscript for On The Road, Secretariat’s saddle from its historic 1973 Triple Crown wins, and much more.

An active philanthropist, Irsay transformed his collection into a “traveling museum” and has hosted free exhibitions in Nashville, Tenn., Washington, D.C., Austin, Texas, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Indianapolis, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Boston. He also regularly loans artifacts to museums, nonprofits and other organizations for display and research across the country and around the world.