Former Houston Chronicle movie critic Eric Harrison will get the funeral he deserves, thanks to the generosity of former colleagues, friends and strangers who have been touched by his story and his contributions to the film industry.
Harrison, who was Chronicle movie critic from 2000-2005, unexpected died of a brain aneurysm at his Houston home last month. He was 57.
He left no life insurance and had no cash on hand, and his family thought they might have to turn to the county for a burial before Joshua Starnes, president of the Houston Film Critics Society, launched a crowdfunding drive to raise $6,000 for Harrison's funeral. Articles in CultureMap, Houstonia magazine and the Houston Press publicized the site and contributions flooded in.
In just a few days, 105 contributors donated $6,390 and one former colleague, now a pastor, has offered her church for the service if the family would like to celebrate his life there.
Harrison's family has tentatively planned the funeral for Dec. 14. Information will be furnished as soon as arrangements are confirmed.
Update: The funeral for Eric Harrison will be held Saturday (Dec. 14) at Pruitt's Morturary, 7518 N. Main Street. Viewing will begin at 8 a.m. with funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Brookside Memorial Park, 13401 East-Tex Freeway.
Legendary rockers Styx and Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon, will team up to co-headline the “Brotherhood of Rock” tour in 2025, which will include a stop at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands on Friday, June 6.
The large, 40-city tour will take place over three months, starting in Greenville, South Carolina on May 28, and wrapping up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 24.
In addition to Houston, the tour will go to Austin on June 4 and Dallas on August 1. It will include special guest Don Felder, former lead guitarist for the Eagles, at all dates.
Fans can expect some of the greatest rock anthems of all time, including “Renegade,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Come Sail Away,” “Can't Fight This Feeling,” and “Hotel California.”
Styx and Cronin (as part of REO Speedwagon) first toured together in 2000 and in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, coming together to form the Rock to the Rescue 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. This will mark their sixth time joining forces on the road.
2022 was the 50th anniversary of Styx's self-titled debut album, but they have yet to slow down. The band released their 17th album, Crash of the Crown, in 2021. Of course, not everyone is a fan, as this classic clip from The Simpsons illustrates.
REO Speedwagon's recording days appear to be done, with their last album coming out in 2009, but the main group of five has been together since 1989. On this tour, Cronin will be joined by REO's lead guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt.
General tickets for the tour will go on sale starting on Friday, December 13 at 10 am at LiveNation.com.
Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets in the U.S. beginning on December 9 at 10 am through the Citi Entertainment program.
Styx and Kevin Cronin will be offering VIP packages via their own exclusive pre-sales beginning on Tuesday, December 10 at 10 am, as well as at LiveNation.com.
