(Pooler, GA)   The Meat Loaf “Hurricane Relief” Benefit concert which took place Saturday night at Oglethorpe Speedway Park raised over $60,000 for the Red Cross and two other organizations aiding victims of Hurricane Katrina.  All of the proceeds raised from this past weekend’s concert were donated after everyone from Meat Loaf to his band members to the host facility, Oglethorpe Speedway Park, donated their regular earnings to the relief efforts along the Gulf Coast.

            “We were aiming for over $100,000 in donations,” said promoter Ted Austad.  “But, a rain shower right after the gates opened hurt the walk up crowd.  We came to find out that the rain was pretty steady in most parts of the Savannah area at that time on Saturday.”

            The event drew 1,267 fans of the rock icon who performed for over two hours.  The enthusiastic crowd was entertained thoroughly by one of the most awesome stage shows to have visited Savannah in quite some time.  It was most evident during Meat Loaf’s rousing version of his biggest hit “Paradise By The Dashboard Light”.  Everyone including the concessionaires were singing along with Meat Loaf and band mate Patti Russo.

            “The people who did venture out to see the show got to see a show,” added Austad.  “The show left no wonder to if he is a showman.  That concert was entertaining and fun.”

            Meat Loaf and the organizers of the benefit concert need to thank many people and businesses for making the event a success.  Thank yous are in order for Sunset Novelties, Clyde’s Markets, Oglethorpe Speedway Park, Smile Innovations, Dorsey Trailer Sales, H&H of Savannah, Coca-Cola, Bill Waits RV Center, Sunbelt Rentals and Russ Brown, Savannah Waste Management, US Foods, Keller’s Flea Market, Love’s Seafood, Gerald’s Catering, Gene’s Guitars, Southern Image Catering, Savannah College of Art & Design, WRHQ-FM and Jerry Rogers, The Adventure Radio Group with Rock 106, The Gator 106.9 and The Drive 103.1, Clear Channel Radio of Savannah, WTOC Television, WSAV, WGSA and Rollie Neal along with Comcast.  All of these organizations gave towards the efforts of making the Meat Loaf “Hurricane Relief” Concert a success.

            “A lot of our community came to the table for this event,” said Austad.  “Everyone is very appreciative of the effort to help our Gulf Coast neighbors.”