A Few More Things: Gene Simmons, Rascal Flatts & Colbie Caillat

Gene Simmons is launching a rockin’ restaurant franchise, Rascal Flatts want fans to design the band’s official tour guitar, and Colbie Caillat will perform at The Humane Society’s Genesis Awards.

Rock & Brews
In partnership with restaurateur/hotelier Michael Zislis and concert promoter Dave Furano, Gene Simmons will open the first Rock & Brews restaurant April 3 in El Segundo, Calif.

The new restaurant franchise is designed “with an ambiance reminiscent of being back stage at a rock event.” Well, if the rock show was family and dog friendly. Rock & Brews will feature a play area for kids and a large open-area area for four-legged guests, along with picnic tables, rock posters and rock art, concert lighting and retractable projection screens and speakers.

Photo: Bobby Talamine / SkipTheDial.com

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, Ill.

The menu will include “opening act” appetizers, “VIP” salads, hand-crafted burgers, “headliner” sandwiches, “front row” pizzas and “Encores” desserts. The KISS bassist has you covered when it comes to drinks with hundreds of craft beers to choose from.

Additional locations are planned in the Los Angeles area as well as Denver, Atlanta, Maui, Tokyo and Los Cabos.

For more information visit RockAndBrews.com.

Design A Guitar For Rascal Flatts

Thanks to a contest brought to you by CMT and Taylor Guitars, fans have the chance to design the official guitar for Rascal Flatts’ “The American Band Tour.”

You can use photos, logos and art provided by the band and CMT.com or use your own images. (If you use the band’s names, photos or album art, you must use the specific ones provided on CMT.com.) The winning design will be featured on a Taylor Guitar.

Photo: Owen Sweeney / OwenSweeneyPhoto.com

Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, N.J.

In a video clip promoting the contest, Gary LeVox said that the band will play the guitar on tour “if it’s good.” Jay DeMarcus added “no Satan vibe. No horns, no flames.”

The grand prize winner will receive an autographed GS8 Taylor guitar featuring his/her design, two tickets to a Rascal Flatts concert, a meet & greet with the band, round-trip coach airfare for two, one night hotel accommodations, ground transportation to and from the airport and concert, and a Rascal Flatts prize pack.

The contest is open now through April 30.

For more information visit RascalFlatts.CMT.com.

Singing For The Animals

Colbie Caillat has shown her support to the Human Society of the United States by starring in an exclusive video and conducting radio interviews around the country as the spokeswoman for the HSUS’ Puppy Mill Action week. The singer-songwriting will once again team up with the organization by performing at the Human Society’s Genesis Awards.

The 26th Genesis Awards takes place March 24 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., recognizing individuals in news and entertainment media for spotlighting animal issues.

Photo: Jen Lowery Photography

Rock the Kettle, Universal City Walk, Universal City, Calif.

“I am proud to be a part of an evening that honors those that have worked hard, sometimes under very challenging circumstances, to protect animals,” Caillat said.

Tickets start at $350.

For more information visit HumaneSociety.org.