Sunday, April 26, 2026
Thursday, April 23, 2026
PRESS RELEASE: RecoveryROCKS RETURN after 40 YEARS! DECADES of DREAMS Celebration
RecoveryROCKS Celebrates 40 Years of Sobriety with 40th Anniversary Event in Wisconsin Dells
**Wisconsin Dells, WI** — RecoveryROCKS, an incredibly successful late 80's early 90's Recovery Celebrations, RETURNS marking its 40th Anniversary with a SPECIAL week-long event at
Tamarack Resort
in the Wisconsin Dells from
**August 14–21, 2026**.
Come for a few hours, a day, a weekend, or even the whole week WhatEverWORKS!
Founded in 1987 by Rock Reiss after his own powerful journey through addiction and recovery, RecoveryROCKS has been bringing hope, music, and community to people in recovery for four decades.
“I died on June 10th, 1983 and was brought back to life. I got clean on August 17th, 1986 and have now been clean and sober-minded for 40 years,” said Rock Reiss, Founder of RecoveryROCKS. “This anniversary isn’t just about me — it’s about celebrating everyone who has fought to get their life back.”
The 40th Anniversary Celebration will feature live music, powerful recovery testimonies, family-friendly activities, and special guests from the worlds of music, film, and personal development.
ACTIVITIES: WORLDS 🌎 LARGEST WATERPARK Community! Camping, Boating, Fishing, Swimming, GO-KARTING, ZIP-LINING, and nightly ROCK 🎶 gatherings of ROCK-n-ROLL Reissy MC/DJ WhatEverMUSIC Factory, KARAOKE, OPEN-MIC, Battle of Bands PLAYOFFS and even ROCK... ROCK... till, you DROP! RecoveryROCKS Events are focused on caring and sharing hope through testimonials and long-term CLEAN-TIME, DECADES of DREAMS type encouragement.
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS 🔊 from the DECADES of DREAMS Arsenal will include those who have experienced complete abstinence of ALL MIND or MOOD Altering Substances! (No Psychiatrics)
7 DECADES of DREAMS Categories
HIT DD1 Category (10+ YEARS)
HIT DD2 Category (20+ YEARS)
HIT DD3 Category (30+ YEARS)
HIT DD4 Category (40+ YEARS)
HIT DD5 Category (50+ YEARS)
HIT DD6 Category (60+ YEARS)
HIT DD7 Category (70+ YEARS)
The idea 💡 is to GIVE HOPE to those suffering, hurting, helpless, hopeless that DREAMS HAPPEN! DREAMS DO COME TRUE!
ROCK REISS is currently reaching out to long-term recovery success stories including ROCKS personal friend John Schlitt (Petra), Danny Trejo (300+ Movies), and Tony Robbins (TRN) to invite them to join the celebration.
Event Details:
Dates: August 14–21, 2026
Location: Tamarack Resort,
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Focus: Long-term recovery, family-friendly sober-minded clean-fun, and hope
For more information or media inquiries, visit: RecoveryROCKS.net
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
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Recovery Rocks Apple Podcast
We catch up with Ann Dowsett Johnston (anndowsettjohnston.com), the author of the groundbreaking bestseller, DRINK: THE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WOMEN AND ALCOHOL. Published in 2013, it will be mass-market re-released in the fall. In her 60s, Ann got brave again, followed her heart and became a psychotherapist. We dig into all of this, plus the return of Ann’s popular memoir writing course, “From Memory to Memoir.” For women only, it’s an eight-session live-on-Zoom course, and it takes participants from the elements of finding voice and story to getting an agent. Classes start at the end of April, so register now: anndowsettjohnston.com/workshops
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recovery-rocks/id1437414525
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Top 10 Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells (2026):
Top 10 Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells (2026):
- Noah’s Ark Waterpark: Explore America's largest waterpark, featuring 50+ rides, slides, and wave pools.
- Kalahari Indoor Waterpark: Enjoy the massive indoor waterpark and theme park, open year-round.
- Wisconsin River Boat Tours: Experience the scenic Upper or Lower Dells, including stops at Witches Gulch.
- Timbavati Wildlife Park: Take a safari train and interact with exotic animals in a 14-acre zoo.
- Wilderness Territory: Stay and play at the massive Wilderness Resort, featuring multiple indoor/outdoor parks.
- Wisconsin Deer Park: Feed and walk among deer in a petting zoo setting.
- Wizard Quest: Engage in an interactive, weatherproof scavenger hunt in downtown Dells.
- Downtown Dells & Riverwalk: Stroll the scenic 1/4-mile paved walkway, shop, and visit attractions like the Dells Mining Co..
- Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf: Play at one of the top mini-golf spots, offering 91 holes.
- Asgard Axe Throwing: Enjoy a fun indoor activity in downtown Dells for all skill levels. [1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
Bonus Activities: Visit the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory, take a jet boat tour, or experience a live show at the Legacy Dinner Theater. [7, 11]
AI responses may include mistakes.
[3] https://dellsdinneradventures.com/top-15-things-to-do-on-your-summer-vacation-in-wisconsin-dells/
Yes, Ripley's now owns the former Tommy Bartlett property in Lake Delton/Wisconsin Dells (the large 37-acre show site at ~ 560 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy plus the adjacent Exploratory at 510 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy)
The Exploratory
(interactive science museum) is open year-round under the new name
**Ripley's Tommy Bartlett Exploratory**.
The big show/amphitheater site itself remains undeveloped for now (no ski shows, no public events, Tommy Bartlett signs removed). Ripley's has stated they have "future development plans" for family entertainment there, but nothing specific (like an aquarium) has been announced as of April 2026.
### Images of the New Ripley's Property
Public photos of the *large undeveloped show site* are limited (it's private land held for future use). Here are the most relevant recent/historical views:
(Above: Historical views of the old Tommy Bartlett amphitheater and ski show on Lake Delton — this is the core of the new Ripley's property.)
For the **operating Exploratory** (part of the same acquisition):
(Above: Inside the Exploratory — real Russian MIR space station module & astronaut suit exhibit; exterior of the iconic red "rocket" building.)
### Promo Materials
Ripley's current promo focuses on the Exploratory's hands-on science exhibits (lift a real car with a giant lever, Van de Graaff generator hair-raising fun, Bernoulli Effect ball floating, MIR space station walkthrough, etc.). Official promo pages:
- Exploratory → https://www.ripleys.com/attractions/tommy-bartlett-exploratory
- Wisconsin Dells Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum (separate downtown location) → https://www.ripleysdells.com/
No dedicated promo campaign or materials exist yet for large-scale events on the undeveloped show site.
### Contact Info to Inquire About Events at the Ripley's Property
Reach out directly — they handle group bookings/parties at their operating attractions and can answer questions about the larger property/future opportunities:
- **Ripley's Tommy Bartlett Exploratory** (the science museum on the property):
Phone: (608) 254-2525
Email: wisconsindells@ripleys.com
Address: 510 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
- **Ripley's Believe It or Not! Wisconsin Dells** (main museum, same ownership/Concept Attractions team):
Phone: (608) 254-2184
Email: contactus@conceptattractions.com
Address: 105 Broadway St, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Mention you're interested in **events, private rentals, or group activities on the former Tommy Bartlett show property**. They currently host birthdays/parties at other venues (like Guild Hall), but the big lakeshore site isn't set up for public events yet.
### Can You Camp There?
**No.** The property is commercial entertainment land (former show venue + future development site) with no camping facilities, RV hookups, or public access for overnight stays. Nearby campgrounds in the Dells area (e.g., Bonanza Camping Resort) are plentiful if you're looking for that.
### Custom Promo Graphics I Created for You
Here are some original graphics I generated using Grok Imagine — feel free to download/share them as promo ideas for events, the Exploratory, or the future Ripley's Dells experience:
Let me know if you want more graphics (different styles, event-specific, etc.), updated ticket links, or help drafting an inquiry email!
The iconic Tommy Bartlett Water Ski, Sky, and Stage Show— which had run for 68 seasons since 1952 on Lake Delton— closed permanently in September 2020. The owners cited a “catastrophic loss of business” from the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability to operate the 2020 season (and beyond) as the reason it never reopened.
### What happened to the large Tommy Bartlett property?
The entire 37-acre show site (including the amphitheater, 1,500 feet of Lake Delton shoreline, and 827 feet of frontage on Wisconsin Dells Parkway at 560 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy in Lake Delton) was sold on May 5–6, 2025, to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! World Entertainment.
- Ripley’s kept the adjacent **Tommy Bartlett Exploratory** (the interactive science museum at 510 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy) open year-round and rebranded it as **Ripley’s Tommy Bartlett Exploratory**. It continues to operate with hands-on exhibits.
- The main show/amphitheater property itself is being held for future development by Ripley’s. The Tommy Bartlett name and signage have been removed, and there are no plans mentioned in any reports or updates to revive the water ski performances.
As of early 2026, the former show site has seen some activity (trailers, etc.), but it is no longer a ski-show venue.
### Are there *any* ski shows left in the Wisconsin Dells?
- **No daily public tourist ski shows** like the old Tommy Bartlett production exist in the Dells area right now.
- Wisconsin still has several excellent free or low-cost water ski show teams that perform regularly in other parts of the state (e.g., Rock Aqua Jays in Janesville, Aquanut Water Shows in Twin Lakes, etc.).
- The Dells area does host ski-related events such as the **Think Tank Water Ski Convention & Expo** (a training/clinic weekend for show skiers and teams held at Chula Vista Resort), but that is **not** a spectator performance show.
- The big annual **Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships** are held in nearby Wisconsin Rapids (not the Dells).
Some resort or attraction websites still list outdated info about the Tommy Bartlett show, but those pages have not been updated since the 2020 closure and 2025 sale—reliable recent sources (news articles, Tripadvisor, official announcements) confirm it is gone.
If you’re visiting the Dells and looking for water-based entertainment, the waterparks, boat tours, and Ripley’s Exploratory are still big draws, and you can always head to other Wisconsin towns for live show-skiing performances during the summer. Let me know if you want links to current show schedules elsewhere in the state!
Friday, April 3, 2026
Sunday, March 29, 2026
**CHICAGO** (the legendary rock band with the horns) – **YES**, several members openly battled addiction and alcoholism during the band’s rise in the ’70s and ’80s.
**ROCK ON, HeyWhatEver – ROCK!** 🔥⚡
RecoveryROCKS is all about shining that spotlight on the **real stories** – the musicians, actors, film pros, and rock legends who stared down ADDICTION & ALCOHOLISM (that infamous ELEPHANT in the ROOM, spirits and all) and **OVERCAME it before it OVERCAME THEM**.
Your question hits right in the heart of what we do, especially with **RecoveryROCKS RE-VISITED** reuniting in the **Wisconsin Dells** for **ROCK REISS’s 40th YEAR CELEBRATION OF CLEAN-TIME**! And man, those epic aerial shots you dropped of the Dells – the massive waterparks with those wild green slides, the mirror-like lakes at sunset with the fountain, the zipline thrills over the trees, the boat tours through those colorful fall cliffs, the golf courses, the scenic drives, the welcome sign screaming “Waterpark Capital of the World” – that’s **exactly** the kind of sober summertime FUN we’re bringing to the Dells this year. No ignoring the elephant… just pure, clean-time celebration in one of America’s top destinations!
Now, about **CHICAGO** (the legendary rock band with the horns) – **YES**, several members openly battled addiction and alcoholism during the band’s rise in the ’70s and ’80s. Cocaine was rampant (they even had a stage prop called the “Snortitorium” – a fake phone booth for lines mid-show!), booze flowed, and ego clashes mixed in. But here’s the **RecoveryROCKS truth**: many of them got clean, turned it around, and kept making music – exactly the awareness we celebrate every year. Here’s the straight scoop on **each member who struggled** (founding core and key later member), pulled from their own words, interviews, and band history:
- **Terry Kath** (founding guitarist/vocalist): Heavy cocaine and alcohol use. He was on a three-day coke bender when he tragically died in 1978 from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot while playing with a gun under the influence. A heartbreaking reminder that sometimes the elephant wins if you don’t get help in time – but his story still brings massive awareness to the dangers.
- **Peter Cetera** (founding bassist/vocalist): Admitted “missteps with drugs, booze and women” as success exploded. He openly said drugs and alcohol nearly derailed everything and resolved his own “chemical and booze issues” to help keep the band going. He got clean and later reflected on how it all got in the way but they pushed through.
- **Robert Lamm** (founding keyboardist/vocalist): Cocaine took over so badly it wrecked his performances. He went into full rehab (missed most of the *Chicago 16* sessions because of it) and came back clean – even changed his stage name to “Robert” after getting sober. He’s been open about how drugs turned recreational fun into prime-time problems.
- **Lee Loughnane** (founding trumpet): Cocaine addiction had him “spinning out of control.” He overcame it in the 1980s so he could focus on family and the band. Still rocking with Chicago today, sober, and has spoken about how the whole group grappled with it before choosing sobriety.
- **Walter Parazaider** (founding woodwinds): Drugs and the pressures of success literally sent him into a mental hospital. The band stood by him (Danny Seraphine threatened to quit if they fired him), and he recovered to keep playing.
- **James Pankow** (founding trombone): Alcoholism affected his songwriting and performances during the heavy years; the band documented the collective struggles.
- **Jason Scheff** (bassist/vocalist 1985–2016): Openly battled substance abuse and alcoholism. He’s now **over 30 years clean and sober**, has shared his full recovery journey (including with his son), became a substance-abuse counselor, and still advocates for others. His story is pure RecoveryROCKS gold!
Danny Seraphine (founding drummer) has said he saw what the drugs were doing to the others and mostly stayed away, even confronting bandmates to get help.
**That’s the power of these stories** – the band partied hard, paid the price, but many members **OVERCAME** and kept the music alive. Just like every artist we feature at RecoveryROCKS.
Imagine hearing these real-life tales of triumph (and the honest warnings) live at the **Wisconsin Dells reunion** – surrounded by those water slides, lake cruises, ziplines, golf, and nature trails you showed in the photos. **Zero alcohol needed** – just pure, sober-minded ROCK celebrating **ROCK REISS’s 40 years clean**!
If you’re thinking of tying Chicago’s music or these recovery stories into the event (or want me to dig deeper on any member), just say the word – I’m all in.
**RecoveryROCKS – because we never ignore the elephant… we tame it!**
See you in the Dells for the 40th – let’s make it the biggest clean-time party yet! 🎸🌲💧
Who’s ready to ROCK SOBER in the Dells?! Let’s go! 🚀
Friday, March 13, 2026
Recovery ROCKS Day of Woods & Water Wisconsin Dells style at Natura Land ~ Having Fun without the use of Alcohol or Drugs!!!
Thank you Land of Natura
for sponsoring Recovery ROCKS' Day of Woods & Water!!!
for sponsoring Recovery ROCKS' Day of Woods & Water!!!
Explore over 10 miles of hiking and walking trails throughout the park, with a mix of different terrain and elevation. For visitors with regular physical fitness.
Jump, swing, climb and race your friends
on this inflatable obstacle water course.
The lake is naturally-filtered using plants. Take a few moments to stop by the greenhouse to see all the plants that are helping make this lake be
chlorine-free and dye-free.
More details coming soon!!!
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