HISTORY:
As their name might suggest, Infinity began as a Journey tribute band. As the years have passed, their set list has expanded to include many of the biggest hits from the likes of Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, and more. Two-plus decades rocking the hundreds of local music festivals lighting up the Chicago suburbs each summer have put Infinity in front of hundreds of thousands of fans. Consequently, the band has built an incredible following, making them one of the Top 10 most successful cover bands in the nation’s third-largest metropolis.

 BRIGHT IDEAS:
“Be true to yourself and play what you enjoy playing,” advises guitarist Kevin Willison. “If you’re having a good time and playing music you like, it shows. But if you’re playing something just because everyone else is playing it, that’s the wrong thing to do. There are certain songs we play that might not be the best song in the world, but we joke with each other during the song and have fun with it, and because we’re having a good time, the crowd gets into it.”

BOOKING ADVICE:
“In most cities,” says Willison, “there are certain agencies you have to go through if you want to play the clubs. And in a larger city you’re going to have to deal with several different agencies. You need to have a lot of communication with these agents and give them everything they need to book your band. Have it ready for them. Most of the time, if you have pretty good promo material, and you get into the clubs and start building a draw, the agent will be behind you. Of course, if you can book the club on your own, do it.”

BEST GIGS:
“We’re really lucky because sometimes we get to open for a national act. I’ve met the guys from Styx, Kansas, and Night Ranger. That’s really cool to me, and those were some of the best gigs. We’ve also played U.S. Cellular Field (home of the Chicago White Sox), and at Toyota Park (home of the Chicago Fire MLS team). We play a lot of festivals, and at the ones we play year after year, the hometown crowds get to know us and come back each year—those gigs are really fun!”

Hometown: Chicago, IL Gigs/Year: 100 Income: $2,500 per show Tunes: Arena Rock Web: infinity2k.com

MAJOR EXPOSURE:
“We played a big corporate gig sponsored by Chrysler at the Chicago Auto Show. They came out with a car called the Journey and gave it to a couple who won a contest. The couple actually got married at the Auto Show, and we were the wedding band. To promote this, we played live on Chicago’s largest classic rock radio station, “The Loop.” We’ve done a couple other major radio events here in the Chicago area as well, and those have really helped get our name out there.”

OTHER TIPS:
“If you can, get an acoustic guitar into the show. From a visual aspect, it gives the audience something different to look at. When you see a national band, they’re always changing guitars. Guitar changes provide some action on stage, and a new focal point for the audience. When I bring the acoustic out it gives the audience something to look at, and it not only changes the mood a little but also adds a new dimension to the music.

 SELECT SET LIST
“Anyway You Want It” - Journey
“Don’t Stop Believin’” - Journey
“Lights” - Journey
“Come Sail Away” - Styx
“Renegade” - Styx
“Rock and Roll Band” - Boston
“Smokin’” - Boston
“Roll With the Changes” - REO Speedwagon
“Take It on the Run” - REO Speedwagon
“Walk This Way” - Aerosmith
“Livin’ on a Prayer” - Bon Jovi
“Wanted Dead or Alive” - Bon Jovi
“Carry on Wayward Son” - Kansas
“Sister Christian” - Night Ranger
“Jessie’s Girl” - Rick Springfield
“Heat of the Moment” - Asia
“Here I Go Again” - Whitesnake
“High Enough” - Damn Yankees
“Working for the Weekend” - Loverboy
“Cold as Ice” - Foreigner
“Girls, Girls, Girls” - Mötley Crüe
“Photograph” - Def Leppard
“Pour Some Sugar on Me” - Def Leppard
“Your Love” - The Outfield
“Magic Power” - Triumph
“Bohemian Rhapsody” - Queen
“Paradise City” - Guns N’ Roses
“Jump” - Van Halen

infinity2k.com
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