FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Keith Hejna
Little Kids Rock
Work: (973) 746-8248
Cell: (201) 264-9520
keith@littlekidsrock.org
Little Kids Rock Raises More Than $160,000 To Put Music Education Back In Public Schools
Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band Draws Large Crowd at “Right to Rock” Fundraising Event at B.B. King Blues Club New York
Montclair, NJ, Nov. 12, 2009 — Little Kids Rock (LKR), a national nonprofit music organization that provides free instruments and instruction to underfunded public schools, today announced the results of its “Right to Rock” fundraiser, held on Oct. 22 at B.B King Blues Club in New York City. The legendary Clarence Clemons found time between touring with Bruce Springsteen and promoting his new book to help Little Kids Rock raise over $160,000 to restore and revitalize music education in public schools nationwide. Since its inception in 2002, the organization has grown to reach over 1,100 schools in 21 different cities as of the beginning of the 2009 school year.
“The great turnout at the Right to Rock event sent a message that was heard loud and clear: our kids matter, music matters and we are a growing community of friends and family who are stepping up to fulfill this generation's obligation to the next generation,” said Dave Wish, executive director of Little Kids Rock. “Seeing a musician as iconic as Clarence Clemens share the stage with our students is something that I’ll never forget, and I am incredibly grateful for his support and the support of all of the guests that were honored last week.”
Little Kids Rock presented Clemons with the inaugural “Big Man of the Year Award” for his philanthropic efforts. Clemons performed an impromptu rendition of Jailhouse Rock with public school students from the New York City metro area, as well as his own composition, Garden of Memories accompanied on keyboard by famed producer, John Colby. Additional guests honored at the event include Bill Mendello, CEO of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Betsy McLaughlin, CEO of Hot Topic, and Mary Luehrsen, Executive Director of The NAMM Foundation, for their outstanding support of music education.
“More than 50 percent of kids who play an instrument go on to college, yet music education programs at the inner city public schools who need them most continue to be hit hard with budget cuts,” said Clarence Clemons. “Little Kids Rock has responded to this problem in a really big way and made a positive impact on the lives of literally thousands of low-income students who wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity. I strongly encourage those who are in a position to do so to support their cause and spread the word about this inspirational program.”
The event featured music performed by NYC HitSquad, a group whose members have played with Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Al Green, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and the Saturday Night Live Band. 12-year old Jade Adams of P.S. 29 in Jersey City performed her original song, Change, with a student band from P.S. 83 in the Bronx, whom she met that evening. Guitars signed by Eric Clapton, Slash, Jon Bon Jovi, Paul Simon and more were also auctioned to benefit the program.
High-resolution photographs are available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36973804@N06/sets/72157622717341470/
About Little Kids Rock:
Little Kids Rock is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that transforms children’s lives by restoring and revitalizing music education in underfunded public schools. Little Kids Rock was founded in San Francisco in 2002 by David Wish, an elementary school teacher who had grown frustrated with the lack of music education funding at his school. Today, Little Kids Rock is one of the leading nonprofit providers of free lessons and instruments to low-income children in US public schools, and has served more than 85,000 students at over 1,100 schools in 20 cities nationwide. Little Kids Rock Honorary Board Members include Bonnie Raitt, Slash, Paul Simon, B.B. King, Ziggy Marley, and other famous friends in the music industry. More information can be found at: www.littlekidsrock.org.
About Clarence Clemons:
Clarence Clemons, affectionately known worldwide as The Big Man, has captivated audiences for over forty years with his distinguished ability for making his saxophone speak a universal language. For more than three decades Mr. Clemons has lofted Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band to become, as some have deemed it, the greatest rock and roll band in the world. In addition to an ever-lengthening roster of live concert performances and recording projects, his credits include a growing portfolio of dramatic and comedic appearances, for both film and television. On October 21, Mr. Clemons releases his book, co-authored by his friend, Don Reo, Big Man: Real Life and Tall Tales. This is the first book written by a member of the E Street Band, telling true, unknown stories about the band as well as capturing Mr. Clemons’ larger-than-life storyteller persona in a series of hybrid fact-and-fiction stories called “Legends.”
# # #
