Tough times call for teamwork and positive thinking, so that's just what classic rockers REO Speedwagon [ tickets ] and Styx [ tickets ] plan to do this summer. The two bands have joined forces for a string of summer dates, and a new song--"Can't Stop Rockin'"--that is featured on a new package of tunes for the Rock Band game platform.

The tour, which starts May 13 in Albuquerque, NM, will also feature classic Southern rockers .38 Special, and budget-friendly ticket prices that will start at $13.50 in most markets. Styx and REO are also co-sponsoring a Rock Band contest, through which a grand-prize winner at each tour stop will take home an instrument bundle for the game, an electric guitar autographed by both bands, five tickets for the show, and the opportunity for the winner and four friends to go on stage and sing background vocals for the bands' performance of "Can't Stop Rockin'."

REO frontman Kevin Cronin spoke with LiveDaily about writing the new song with Styx's Tommy Shaw, staying balanced, and his son's fondness of Scorpions.

LiveDaily: What's the inspiration behind the new song?

Kevin Cronin: Tommy and I talked, and, you know, you write about whatever you're feeling at the time. So we looked at the world around us, and we're in troubled times, obviously, and people are going through it--and we have to make it through this. There's no such thing as giving up, and everyone's positive energy is an integral part of creating this force that brings the pendulum back. We felt like that was something that would be a good thing to write about, and also the fact that, while you're at it, in the process, you've got to be able to go out and have some fun. You've got to leave the craziness of the world right now behind every once in a while. So that's what we wrote the song about.

You both have penned a lot of hit songs; what was the chemistry like working together?

The camaraderie between the two of us is great. When you write a song with someone, it's a pretty intimate act. Songwriting is a strange thing. There are no guarantees. You can get together with someone where you would never expect it to work, and you get a great song. Or you can get together with someone you expect great things to come from it, and you get nothing. It's a vulnerable position to put yourself in. We were able to complement each other in ways that made the sum of the parts better than what we'd be able to do individually.

How old are your kids, and do they play Rock Band?

My boys are totally into it. I've got nine-year-old twins. It wasn't long ago that little Josh was walking down the hallway, and I hear him singing softly under his breath, "Rock you like a hurricane." Dude, nine-year-old is into the Scorps.

Here's what's great about Rock Band: a nine-year-old has no concept of hipness. No concept of whether something is new or old, if the artist is new on the scene or someone that's been out for 40 years. They don't know anything about it, and don't care. They either like the song or they don't.

That's a really good point, because in the 1980s, many thought MTV placed too much emphasis on how people looked, over musicianship and songwriting ability. And while Rock Band has its critics, it's true, kids don't care if the band has too much eye-black on or wears flannel. A good song is a good song.

Exactly. It's all about the music. There are a lot of things responsible for this resurgence of the music that REO, Styx, and a lot of bands like us, have made, and the games are a part of it.

The last time you and Styx toured together extensively was around 2000 for "Arch Allies." Had you crossed paths before then?

Strangely enough, before that tour, we really hadn't. We've played with practically every other band on earth, pretty much. Styx was one of the few we hadn't toured with. There was a bit of a rivalry that was played up by the record companies and press, but we really didn't know those guys.

The first time Tommy and I sat down and talked, it was interesting. They were going to go on tour without Dennis DeYoung, and, of course, he was an integral part of their sound. And we were going to go out on tour without Gary Richrath, who was an integral part of our sound. They were missing their singer, we were missing our guitar player. I don't know, there was just some strange synergy between our situations. Tommy and I kind of hit it off and it's been a great ride ever since.

How many shows does REO do a year?

My wife has it figured out to the day, she reminds me of it all the time. [laughs] We usually play between 85-110 concerts a year, depending on how much we want to be away. We're fortunate that there's a demand for our band, so it's pretty much up to us how much we want to work. I think the Styx tour, the first leg is about 40 shows, then we'll take a little time off--I'm actually taking my family on a summer vacation for the first time in nine years. Then we gear it up again in the fall and hopefully do another 20-30 shows.

Do you take the kids and family on the road?

I've known guys who try to bring their kids on the road. I don't think it works out to the kids' advantage. Obviously, we miss each other when I'm traveling, but I think kids are better off at home with their buddies, playing on baseball teams, sleeping in [their own] beds every night. I don't want to drag them around. Even though I miss them horribly, I think it's in their best interest to just stay home and have a normal upbringing.

There's still a lot to balance when you hit the road.

It really is about balance, balance between the band and the family--and, actually, my band is a family, too. I spend almost as much time with my rock-and-roll family as I do with my genetic family. I think the genetic family has to be the priority and the rock-and-roll family has to understand that. Luckily, in our band, we have a good understanding and that doesn't become a problem. There are some bands where there are problems, where the guys that don't have kids want to tour more, and that causes stress. We know we've got a good thing going, and we don't take it for granted for one minute. If we didn't have kids, could we tour more and put more money in the bank? Probably, but that's not what it's about. It's about keeping a balance between family and career, and going out there and being in a good state of mind to put on a good show.