Alabama
Legendary rock vocalist bringing classic ’80s blockbuster album to Alabama venue
He sang on an album that became one of the first pop-rock blockbusters of the 1980s, and now he’s bringing those classic songs — and more hits -– to an Alabama venue.
The Mobile Saenger Theatre has announced that the Kevin Cronin Band, led by the former REO Speedwagon vocalist, will perform at the venue Sept. 18. The show will include REO Speedwagon’s 1980 album “Hi Infidelity” in full, plus additional hit singles.
Cronin’s roots with the band run deep, though he wasn’t a founder and his first stint as vocalist, in the early ‘70s, was brief. He permanently rejoined in 1976, contributing vocals and songwriting during the band’s heyday. Medical issues and disagreements between members led to the announcement in late 2024 that the band’s name would be retired at the end of the year. REO Speedwagon played its last show Dec. 21 – though other members will participate in a June hometown benefit concert on a date that doesn’t work for Cronin, to his displeasure.
Cronin announced at that December performance that he intended for “the music, the spirit, the songs of REO Speedwagon” to live on via his band, the same group of musicians that had toured as REO Speedwagon in 2024. The Kevin Cronin Band includes lead guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Brian Hitt, Speedwagon veterans since 1989, plus keyboardist Derek Hilland and bassist Matt Bissonette, who toured with the group starting in 2023.
Hits on “Hi Infidelity” include “Keep on Loving You,” “Take It on the Run,” “Don’t Let Him Go” and “In Your Letter.” According to promotional materials, Cronin also will perform singles such as “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Time For Me to Fly” and more.
General public ticket sales start at 10 a.m. Friday, May 2. Tickets are $45.50 and up plus fees via Ticketmaster.
The Kevin Cronin Band also is scheduled to appear July 5 in Birmingham. That show at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater is part of a “Brotherhood of Rock” tour featuring Styx and Don Felder.
MOBILE, Ala. (WSFA) – Four of the six Republican candidates seeking to be the GOP’s nominee for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat are set to take part in a forum Monday evening.
WSFA 12 News will carry the forum live at 6 p.m. on our website, as well as our news and smart TV apps, and on our Facebook and Youtube channels.
The forum is being hosted by the Azalea City Republican Women of Mobile.
The participants include Seth Burton, Dale Shelton Deas Jr., Steve Marshall, and Rodney Walker.
Rep. Barry Moore and Jared Hudson are not participating.
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Copyright 2026 WSFA. All rights reserved.
Alabama basketball’s Nate Oats weighs in on 2026 NBA Draft exits | VIDEO
Alabama basketball’s Amari Allen and Labaron Philon are off to the 2026 NBA Draft. Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats weighed in on their decisions.
Alabama basketball’s 2025-26 season was one of the most injury-filled years that Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats has experienced in Tuscaloosa.
The health of last year’s Alabama team was a storyline before exhibition play even began. Veteran Latrell Wrightsell Jr. was returning amid recovery for a ruptured Achilles tendon. Transfer guard Jalil Bethea joined the bench after a left foot injury. Collins Onyejiaka and Davion Hannah both spent the majority of their freshman seasons sidelined with medical conditions. Down the stretch, Taylor Bol Bowen played with a fractured hand. Amari Allen, Aden Holloway, London Jemison and Aiden Sherrell all dealt with tweaks and dings.
As the Crimson Tide’s Sweet 16 run came to a close, even Labaron Philon revealed that his injury wasn’t limited to December or January. He played hurt for the entire year.
With the only Alabama player to appear in each game being Houston Mallette, who redshirted his first year with the program, the training room was busy for athletic training and conditioning staffers Clarke Holter, Henry Barrera and Amanda Branson.
Here’s a breakdown of the salaries for the trio who worked behind the scenes to make another NCAA Tournament possible, per information acquired by The Tuscaloosa News from an open records request to the University of Alabama.
What are salaries of Alabama men’s basketball training staff?
Holter has served as athletic trainer for the men’s basketball team for 11 seasons. Barrera has been the program’s strength and conditioning coach since 2022.
Holter received a salary increase in July 2025, making his new annual salary $139,050.
Barrera also received a pay increase in July 2025. He is the highest-paid of the three at $257,500.20 annually.
The exact date of Branson’s hire is unknown. However, public UA payroll data for Branson dates back to 2019.
Branson’s increase letter ahead of the 2025-26 season said that she would be paid $128,750.16.
In a season defined by injuries, their work became as critical as anything that happened on the court.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – The Alabama Wildlife Federation and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama are building a new interactive Gopher Tortoise Habitat Display to give Alabamians a chance to immerse themselves in the state’s longleaf pine ecosystem.
The exhibit, which is being funded by a $50,000 HMMA investment, will be located in the NaturePlex at the Alabama Nature Center.
The exhibit spotlights the gopher tortoise as a keystone species in Alabama, showing how its burrows shelter other wildlife.
It will feature interactive, age-appropriate elements to teach habitat conservation and responsible stewardship of Alabama’s natural resources.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
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Copyright 2026 WSFA. All rights reserved.
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