BiG GUNS Lead Singer & Lead Guitarist Will Join HEAD FIRST for One-Nite Only 2026 BC/DC PINK OCTOBER Fundraiser Concert

Kelly Hazel

Drew Hoag

Check out Big Guns Official Facebook Page

Bios: 2026 Line-Up Rocks 70s & 80s Classics

Special Guest Artists:
Kelly Hazel - Lead Vocals
Drew Hoag - Lead Guitar & Vocals

Founding Members (1983):
Ross Crotinger - Rhythm Guitar
Randy Brown - Bass & Vocals
Steve Howard - Drums & Vocals

SPECIAL GUEST Artists

Kelly Hazel - Lead Vocals
Kelly is the lead vocalist for Big Guns - the top performing classic rock group in the Central Illinois area.

Kelly Hazel has been belting out rock anthems since 1985, lending his powerful vocals to a string of bands most notably including Rough Mix, Blanche Talley, Kelly's Heroes, ESP, and the Stevie Hall Band. His career has seen him share the stage with some of rock's biggest names, opening for acts like .38 Special, Quiet Riot, Black Crows, Warrant, Reo Speedwagon, Slaughter, Molly Hatchet, Foghat, Head East, Shotgun Messiah, Starship, Robin Trower, Sebastian Bach, and Jackyl among others.

Kelly’s dedication to the live music scene goes beyond performing. He's a long-standing member and President of Champaign-Urbana Local #482, the stagehands union. His experience behind the scenes at iconic venues like Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, State Farm Center, United Center, Soldier Field, Hoosier Dome, Enterprise Arena and many others provides him with a unique perspective and understanding of the live music experience.

This diverse background has shaped Kelly into the performer he is today. With a stage presence honed from years of experience, he brings a raw energy that captivates audiences with powerful vocals and a commanding stage presence.

Kelly will join Head First as the Lead Vocalist at the 2026 BC/DC Fundraiser Concert.

Drew Hoag - Lead Guitar & Vocals

One of Central Illinois' top lead rock guitarists, Drew has been rocking out blazing riffs since the early 80s when his grade school was moved to a wing of the local high school and he was introduced to rock and roll. Early influences included AC/DC, Billy Squier and The Rolling Stones.

Drew began playing guitar and a week before New Years Eve 1983/84 his cousin introduced him to Van Halen. That was the new template and has been ever since. Growing up in the 80s there were no shortage of guitar heroes and Eddie Van Halen, George Lynch, Warren Demartini were his.

He began performing at 15 and has been a member of many bands including: Stripper, The Brothers Grimm, Krush/X-Krush and Anger Management.

He most recently put together the top musical talent in the Central Illinois area to form Big Guns. Some of Drew's favorite bands include: AC/DC, Ozzy, Black Sabbath, Guns n' Roses, Metallica, the Black Crowes, the Allman Brothers, Skynyrd, Zeppelin, Gov't Mule and many more.

Don't miss Drew's rockin' guitar riffs and solos at the Champaign City Center!

Head First Founding Members

Randy Brown - Bass & Vocals

Ross Crotinger - Rhythm Guitar

Steve Howard - Drums & Vocals

2026

Springboarding off of successful fundraising concert events in 2023, 2024 and 2025 after reuniting three original founding members - 1980s Central lllinois-based classic rock group - Head First - is excited to officially announce we'll be headlining the 2026 Pink October Breast Cancer Fundraiser Concert.

Saturday, October 17, 2026

UPCOMING CONCERT!

Head First to Headline BC/DC Event at the Champaign City Center

Reserve Your Tickets!

PINK OCTOBER Fundraiser Concert - Oct 17, 2026

Join Head First - Saturday October 17, 2026 - in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We'll be Performing at the Champaign City Center.

Rock-out to some great classic rock hits of the 70s & 80s performed by Head First!

AC/DC
Billy Idol
Bon Jovi
Van Halen
CCR
Def Leppard
RATT
Honeymoon Suite
Free
Cheap Trick
Judas Priest

Warrant

Motley Crue
Neil Young
Ozzy Osbourne
Guns & Roses
Poison
Quiet Riot
Sammy Hagar
Steppenwolf
Sweet
Ted Nugent
The Babys
ZZ Top

TICKET Price
per person
$20

100% of PINK OCTOBER Net Proceeds Benefit Susan G. Komen and are eligible for 2x MATCH

BC/DC - Breast Cancer Dollars & Coins

BC/DC (Breast Cancer - Dollars & Coins) is a music-themed 501c3 Not-for Profit Organization that produces live classic rock-n-roll concerts held in premier historic venues to drive donations for breast cancer research. In September 2023, BC/DC in cooperation with the Classic Rock band - Head First - held a successful live rock-n-roll concert and fundraising event - generating $10,450 donations towards cancer research - $15,000 at the historic Virginia Theatre in October 2024 and $62,518 at the City Center in Champaign, IL October 2025.

Building off of these successes - BC/DC and Head First are now teaming up to leverage the power of rock-n- roll to drive a cure for breast cancer thru the production of live fundraising concerts.

Click on the BC/DC logo to visit the website and view full details.

100% of Net Proceeds 2X MATCHED by Susan G Komen