Blackhawks players 'unwind' at Greg Olsen's benefit concert at Joe's Bar

Adam Burish wanted to wear cowboy boots and a hat to Greg Olsen’s country-themed “Shake the Lake” benefit concert on Thursday – after all, that’s what he usually wears when attending country shows -- but the Blackhawks winger decided it would be best if he left the cowboy gear at home.

“I have cowboy hats and boots,” said Burish on the red carpet in front of Joe’s Bar (940 W. Weed St.). “But we just came from a team dinner.”
Burish shouldn’t feel too bad. He was wearing a red cowboy shirt, which was a lot more festive than the white v-neck teammate Patrick Kane wore. And secondly, the Blackhawks begin their Stanley Cup series against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, so guests and event organizers were just happy Chicago’s new “It” team showed up.

“Every day has been crazier and crazier, so it’s a nice way to unwind,” Burish said about Thursday's event, later adding that he has been getting ticket requests from "old girlfriends, old buddies from college, girls I haven't talked to in forever.

"A lot of people think there is a box of tickets in the locker room, but there's not."

The second annual fundraiser, which benefited Olsen’s breast cancer-focused Receptions for Research, included appearances by Olsen’s teammate, Jay Cutler, the Cubs’ Randy Wells (when is he not at Joe’s?) and performances by singers Darius Rucker and Matt Kennon.
Although Rucker hadn’t met Olsen personally before Thursday and is a die-hard Miami Dolphins fan, he was there to support a good cause – and because he had the day off from his tour with Brad Paisley. As for his next album, Rucker said fans can expect a follow up to 2008’s “Learn to Live” before Christmas.

“I just got the CD today and listened to the tracks on the bus,” Rucker said. “The single will be out in a few weeks.”

Olsen, who was sans-cowboy hat (“I got my boots on, that’s about the extent I go,” he said), chose to give the benefit a country theme because, well, he’s a big fan.

“It’s something a lot of people (in Chicago) don’t get to experience,” said the Bears tight end. “I’m a big fan of country and live music, and I come to Joe’s a lot, so we figured it was the perfect marriage.”

Click here to order Greg Olsen's proCane Rookie Card.



(chicagotribune.com)