The Eye of the Hurricane

Grounded in Music Benefit - Jan 29th

Wanna hear a sad song? Across the country schools are cutting music programs to focus on math and reading. However, it’s a fact that kids who learn music have an easier time learning math and reading. This means it’s the most underprivileged kids – those who don’t have access to music lessons otherwise – who are being hardest hit by these cutbacks. - Grounded In Music

I was watching an interview with Bruce Springsteen the other night and he was talking about how he struggled through school until he found his love for music. At that point he knew what he wanted to do with his life and thank God that he was able to see that early on, becuase I can’t imagine The Boss behind a desk manging money for a Fortune 500. I’ve heard stories from great musicians time and time again that all begin the same way, “If I never was given an opportunity I don’t know where I’d be…” Late last year I was introduced to a non-profit, named Grounded in Music, that has a set of goals that puts instruments in the hands of young boys and girls and gives them an opportunity to learn how to play and continue to learn about music through scholarships beyond high school. These guys work with alot of organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs to make it a reality.

This coming Tuesday, January 29th… Grounded in Music will put on a fund raiser and all proceeds from this event will be used to purchase musical instruments for under-privileged youth, provide education in musicianship, teach music theory, as well as offer music-related opportunities outside of performance. It will include a silent auction with items like a guitar signed by Willie/Ray Benson/Mel Tillis, Spurs Tickets, ACL fest tickets, winery tours, etc. Entry is a $50 bill, but keep in mind what your money is going for! If you have it to spare some kid will appreciate it alot more than if you use it to appreciate those enchiladas and margaritas at El Arroyo. They also still need volunteers for the event so if you’d like to help out give an email to: jackie@groundedinmusic.org and let her know you’d like to help out.

The Details
January 29, 2008
The Gibson Guitar Showroom
3601 South Congress - Austin, TX
Tickets: Front Gate Tickets

Grounded in Music, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation is committed to inspiring underprivileged children to turn to music as a career, hobby, or alternative to life on the streets. If you’re looking for somewhere to donate some money… anything you give them is tax deductible and is for one of the best causes I can think of. I hope to work with these folks a lot of the next year to try to make a difference in more peoples lives. Go out and support them!

2 Comments

Leave a Comment

Username (required) :
Email (required) :
Web Site :
Comment :

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail