Springfield plans October benefit concert in Cape Girardeau

Tickets are now on sale for national recording artist Rick Springfield's solo acoustic benefit concert Oct. 4 at Buckner Brewing Company in Cape Girardeau.

All proceeds from the event will go to Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship, an organization providing horse-related opportunities for people with disabilities in Southeast Missouri.

Those attending the concert will also have an opportunity to purchase a Springfield autographed guitar and other items during a silent auction. Winners will be announced following the concert.

Springfield's newest album, "Venus in Overdrive," released July 29, contains songs written about Cape Girardeau girl Sahara Aldridge, who lost a long battle with brain stem cancer in November.

Springfield played a benefit at the Show Me Center in December 2006 to help pay for Aldridge's medical costs. A close friend of the Aldridge family, Springfield used his celebrity status to rally moral and financial support for her from his fans.

Springfield is best known as a musician for his 1981 No. 1 single "Jessie's Girl," which earned a Grammy Award. In addition to his musical career, Springfield played the character Dr. Noah Drake on the soap opera General Hospital. He starred in the series from 1981 to 1983 and then from 2005 to present.

Seating is limited and tickets are selling quickly, according to organizers. Tickets are available exclusively at PMac Music, located at 2500 William St. in Cape Girardeau. Seating options include VIP, which features a meet and greet after the show, floor, balcony and general admission.

For more information, call PMac Music at 332-7622.

Matt Sanders and James Samons contributed to this report.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

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