Would you travel 700 miles to compete at the rodeo? How about over 8,000 miles to attend a KISS concert? For fans of Cheyenne Frontier Days, the sky is the limit.

We went to Cheyenne Regional Airport to check out the activity of the people coming to the cowboy state.

"Wherever KISS goes...I'll be there!" said Steve Mcnair. He spent 17 hours on an airplane and says it's a small price to pay to see his favorite band perform live in concert.

Here's the crew setting up the massive KISS stage in Cheyenne, Wyoming yesterday.

Thanks to Cheyenne Frontier Days for the photos!

Here's another photo of a great Dr. Pepper / Dr. Love KISS in-store display at the Los Angeles Air Force Base Commissary!

Thanks to Enrique Ayala for sending KISSonline the photo.

By Phil Wahba

NEW YORK (Reuters) - As the concert business struggles with top-name cancellations this summer, KISS hits the road in North America, betting that its spectacle of classic rock, pyrotechnics and fire-breathing will lure cash-strapped concert-goers looking for dependable entertainment.

The group is set to embark on its 32-date "Hottest Show on Earth" tour of the United States and Canada that starts on Friday in Cheyenne, Wyoming and ends in Fontana, California in September to promote its "Sonic Boom" album.

The fact that KISS still plays 15,000-seat venues 37 years into its career comes from providing fans with what they want and touring with regularity, even when the band's popularity ebbed and flowed, its lead singer said.

"It's about the marathon," KISS co-founder Paul Stanley told Reuters. "It's more about who lasts the longest -- if you're depressed or lose your drive because of one tour or one show, then you're in the wrong business."

Stanley says fans are now "more discerning" and artists have to give them high-quality, high production entertainment if they hope to fill arenas and amphitheaters during this economic downturn. "They want bang for their buck," he said.

By David Marchese

Photo by Joe Gall

For millions of Americans, KISS concerts are a tradition. You go, you watch Gene Simmons breathe fire and spit blood, things explode, you listen to Paul Stanley's amazingly brash between-song banter, more things explode, you sing along to "Rock and Roll All Nite," have about as much fun as is legally possible at an arena, and then experience the spectacle again the next time the band is in town.

That time is now. Starting July 23 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, KISS (with Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer having long ago replaced original bandmembers Peter Criss and Ace Frehley on drums and guitar, respectively) brings its tour in support of 2009's stellar Sonic Boom back home after a lengthy run of European dates.

"Right now, we're doing the biggest tours we've ever done," says ever-voluble singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, 58. "The KISS legacy is amazing. Whether you're looking at the stage or on the stage, everyone involved is having a great time. 37 years into our career, it's a good be a KISS fan -- and I'm as big a fan as anyone."

On the eve of the tour's first date, Stanley spoke with SPIN about the shows, the plans for a new album, and the future of the band -- a future he may not be a part of.

Here's a news interview with Paul discussing his art from KCAL CBS 9!

Kiss' Paul Stanley: The smell of greasepaint and the roar of the rodeo

Photo: From left, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Paul Stanley of Kiss perform in Germany earlier this year. The hard-rock band will kick off its latest tour today at Cheyenne Frontier Days. (Sebastian Willnow, AFP/Getty Images )

By John Wenzel

"Our current stage show is the greatest one we've done - and that's not just coming from the fans, it's coming from the critics," bragged co-founder Paul Stanley. "Which is surprising to us, because we've certainly never been a band like that or built our following on that."

The theatrical, '70s-bred hard-rock band has found new life with the well-reviewed 2009 album "Sonic Boom," its first in 11 years, and the 32- date Hottest Show on Earth tour, which kicks off today at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

We talked to Stanley about the band's legacy, its broad appeal and, of course, the face paint.

Q: You're starting your national tour in Cheyenne at Frontier Days. Have you ever played a rodeo before?

A: We've done Sturgis, the big biker rally. If it's communal and tribal we're in. And honestly, Kiss is more of a tribal gathering in terms of concerts than it is a rock show. Everybody who comes shares this feeling of being part of a nation of black sheep, or being part of this massive secret society.

KISS' Hottest Show on Earth tour will continue to trek through arenas, amphitheaters and stadiums through early October.

KISS HOTTEST SHOW ON EARTH Tour Dates and Tickets.

Check out the TV commercial for KISS' 'Hottest Show On Earth' Tour.

By EMILY COLEMAN

The band Kiss is like the circus meets rock 'n' roll, drummer Eric Singer said.

The band will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday at the North Dakota State Fair.

"It's larger than life. Its takes (other performances) and puts it on steroids," Singer said. "We want people to walk away realizing that they just saw something unique and special and really got their money's worth."

Kiss concerts feature pyrotechnics and sometimes even a fireworks display at the end.

Though the show is family friendly, Singer recommends bringing ear plugs for kids because the show can get loud.

Hello KISS,

I had written to you a few weeks ago regarding my best friend, Tim Mullen. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley signed his tattoo when KISS were playing here in Vancouver.

It is with great sadness that I must tell you that Tim passed away July 16th 2010 at 5:10am. He was one of your biggest fans and my best friend of over 20 years. I remember the excitement each and every time he got the chance to meet you. I believe it was something like 5 times. We had every KISS album loaded on to an iPod and he was listening to that as he drew his final breath. He had been in a coma for 5 days but, we were assured that he could hear everything so, we thought he would enjoy listening to his favorite band.

I want to thank you for making his dreams come true. The tattoo that you had signed was designed by his nephew and he got it done just before your concert. That is a memory that he spoke of often.

Thank you once again for being my best friends heroes, idols and inspiration.

Angie

LETTERS

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Ice Coolers all around New Mexico are wrapped with these cool KISS New Mexico Lottery Ticket wraps! The bottom photo features the KISS Lottery Ticket promotional Van magnet.

Bring your KISS Family!

KISS Kids under 14 get in free on the lawn with the purchase of an adult lawn KISS ticket.*

*Up to four children per valid adult (21 and over) KISS lawn ticket.

Only Live Nation amphitheatres with lawns only, subject to availability and capacity restrictions. Free entry fulfilled day of event at box office.

KISS IS EVERWHERE!!

Hey KISS,

Check out the promotional KISS DR PEPPER Standee I spotted yesterday at Walmart in Brownsburg, Indiana!

Can't wait to see you on the 9th in Indy!!!

Best,
Ronnie T

LETTERS

Check out the new KISS HOTTEST SHOW ON EARTH Tour merchandise.

The rockin' new tour line is available now in the official KISSOnline store.


Pictured:

The Hottest Show On Earth 2010 Tour Tee

KISS 2010 Tour Tee

KISS Band Rockin' Tee

KISS Hottest Show On Earth Event Zip Up Hoodie

The Hottest Show On Earth 2010 Tour Poster

The Hottest Show On Earth 2010 KISS Tour Program

KISS Youth Destroyer Tee

KISS Tour Bandana

KISS V-Neck Babydoll

KISS Hottest Show On Earth Fitted Hat

Limited Edition KISS Mino HD Flip Video Camera

Paul Stanley was recently interviewed by CBS Los Angeles Entertainment Reporter Christina McLarty for a feature on Paul's highly successful career as an artist.

Los Angeles residents be sure to tune-in Thursday, July 22 on KCAL 9 at 10:00 p.m. and then again Friday, July 23 on the CBS 2 Morning News at 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. as McLarty takes viewers on a sneak peak inside Paul's art studio.