The fourth annual DIAMONDS returns as a celebration of one of Rockford’s most iconic rock stories – the legacy of Rick Nielsen, his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame career and his family’s acclaimed musical lineage. Headlined by The Nielsen Trust, guests will be treated to a charity concert and conversation over a Cheap Trick-inspired setlist of songs written by Rick Nielsen.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the program – produced by Founders Commission – kicks off at 7 p.m. with remarks, a live auction and opening set by one of Rock & Roll Institute’s local youth bands. The Nielsen Trust – featuring Rick Nielsen, Daxx Nielsen, Miles Nielsen and Kelly Steward – takes the stage at 8 p.m. to cap off an exciting evening of songs and stories, exploring the creative processes behind a hall of fame music catalogue, success in business and philanthropy, and anecdotes from an iconic career.
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
TICKET OPTIONS
6 P.M.
Doors Open
7 P.M.
Welcome Remarks | Program Updates | Live Auction | Opening Act: Rock & Roll Institute
8 P.M.
The Nielsen Trust: A Charity Concert + Conversation
9:15 P.M.
Closing Remarks + Announcements
$29 - Entry Riser Seats - BUY!
$59 - Premium Riser Seats - BUY!
$79 - Premium Floor Seats - BUY!
Individual VIP Tickets - Coming Soon!
BAND BIO: THE NIELSEN TRUST
The Nielsen Trust features Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick and his family. The Nielsens are a pretty talented family. Of course, there's Rick, the legendary guitar player from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band, Cheap Trick. His son, Daxx, plays drums for Cheap Trick too. Another one of his sons, Miles, has his own successful project, Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts. Miles' wife, Kelly Steward, has her career as a singer and songwriter. They have all jammed together at various times in the past, but now it's official. This family band is called The Nielsen Trust. They made their debut at the Castle Theatre in Bloomington, Illinois, as an added surprise for the fans attending the album release party for Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts. Rick and his family continue to bring the heat with an eclectic mix of Cheap Trick and original tunes.
PREMIER PARTNER
CHAMPION PARTNER
1834 CLUB PARTNERS
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
IN-KIND PARTNERS
THE IMPACT OF DIAMONDS
Founders Commission debuted the DIAMONDS series June 15, 2023, in honor of the region's U.S. Navy TOPGUN lineage. As a platform for the community’s most successful native brands and people to tell their stories and give back to their hometown, DIAMONDS yielded net proceeds in year one that served two terrific causes: a donation to the local Disabled American Veterans chapter and dedicated seed funding for Founders Commission's DIAMONDS Scholar post-secondary scholarship program.
In 2024, the DIAMONDS Scholar youth scholarship program debuted, receiving 24 scholarship applications leading to the inaugural DIAMONDS Scholar honoree, Faith Offermann, who was recognized during DIAMONDS: Michelle Williams. In addition, Founders Commission partnered with the Rockford Park District to expand DIAMONDS to serve area youth through the Next Gems Youth Summit. Founders Commission capped off the second annual DIAMONDS by making a donation to St. Paul Church of God in Christ Rockford in Williams' honor.
In 2025, Founders Commission received 30 DIAMONDS Scholar applications, two of which resulted in post-secondary scholarships for Riley Jamieson and Cora Miatke. In addition, the Founders Commission Hall of Fame was officially launched at DIAMONDS: Fred VanVleet to honor the exemplary achievements of people who are native or have longstanding ties to the Rockford region. As part of the Hall of Fame rollout, Founders Commission unveiled its first official Hall of Fame nominee -- NBA champion Fred VanVleet. Moreover, Founders Commission teamed up with the Rockford Park District and Victory Pickleball to provide 21 area kids free access to the DIAMONDS gala. And at the end of DIAMONDS, Founders Commission made a generous donation to the VanVleet Family Foundation. To learn more, EMAIL US!
DIAMONDS YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
DIAMONDS 2023: LCDR Michael Andrews, U.S. Navy TOPGUN
DIAMONDS 2024: Michelle Williams
DIAMONDS 2025: Fred VanVleet
For inquiries, email Info@FoundersCommission.org.