Diamonds: A Charity Concert & Conversation with The Nielsen Trust

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.

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.

About DIAMONDS + Founders Commission
Founders Commission (FC) debuted DIAMONDS on June 15, 2023, at an Emery Air airplane hangar to honor individuals and brands that are (1) native to the Rockford area and (2) have left an indelible mark on the world across all careers and professional genres. The inaugural DIAMONDS celebrated U.S. Navy TOPGUN LCDR Michael Andrews and U.S. Navy CAPT Deborah Davis McIvy in 2023, followed by GRAMMY winner and mental health advocate Michelle Williams in 2024 and NBA champion Fred VanVleet in 2025. ESPN SportsCenter anchor Nicole Briscoe has served as program emcee since the event’s inception.

Proceeds of DIAMONDS benefit the Founders Commission, 501(c)(3), which celebrates and leverages the Rockford region’s excellence and ingenuity in business, arts and entertainment, and sports for brand, economic and social good. DIAMONDS has helped fund Founders Commission’s DIAMONDS Scholar post-secondary scholarship program – to date, five students have been awarded a total of eight DIAMONDS Scholar scholarships – while also helping catalyze Founders Commission’s efforts toward building a Rockford Region Hall of Fame.