The Bacon Brothers Speak Out in Support of Music Education at 2004 NAMM Show

The Bacon Brothers, Kevin and Michael, will perform on Thursday, January 15, 2004, to close the first day of 2004 NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif. The talented recording artists are outspoken advocates of music education and have joined forces with NAMM, the International Music Products Association, and its outreach programs and resources to help make sure every child has the opportunity to experience the proven benefits of making music.

The performance will take place at 6:00 p.m. at the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, the newly built high-tech mobile recording studio and educational resource that will be located at the Marriott Outdoor Plaza (adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center) throughout the show. NAMM and the Bus have recently launched a strategic alliance whereby the Bus will serve as an ambassador to encourage music education and reach out to thousands of children at schools and events across the country.

“We’re grateful for the millions of school children and their parents who will hear about the powerful benefits of music through Michael and Kevin Bacon’s partnership with NAMM,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “The Bacon Brothers are the perfect spokespeople for this vital issue because they are living proof of how having access to music in schools positively impacts people’s lives.”

“Growing up in Philadelphia, a city with a very strong music program, I was given skills and discipline that I use every day in my career as a musician, performer and composer,” said Michael Bacon, highly lauded for his brilliant film and television scores. “These opportunities are much less available today. Children soak up music like a sponge and as one reaches adulthood, it's really too late. The opportunity to play an instrument, get instruction and perform in an ensemble should be a RIGHT, not a privilege enjoyed by the few.”

“Music is the stuff that keeps us alive,” added Kevin Bacon. “It has the power to heal us, move us and stimulate our minds and our bodies. Kids need music as much as they need the education fundamentals. In all cultures, music is an integral part of children's growth. We must respect it as we respect our kids.”

The Bacon Brothers encourage people everywhere to support their local music education programs, and will direct people to NAMM’s resources for information on how to get involved:

Parents and educators can go to www.supportmusic.com, an easy-to-use resource offering information about how parents and community members can work to ensure that music is an integral part of a quality education for all children.
Teens can visit www.themusicedge.com to have fun and find out what’s going on with their favorite artists while learning about getting involved in making their own music and signing a petition for music education to let the world know they want music in their lives and in their schools.

Interested parties can also log on to the American Music Conference Web site at www.amc-music.org for more research and facts on the benefits of music making and music education.

About the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus:
The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is an educational program directed toward young people with the only newly built state-of-the-art mobile recording studio that visits high schools, festivals, state and local fairs and concerts. It is an offshoot of the seven-year-old John Lennon Songwriting Contest, dedicated to providing opportunities for both professional and amateur songwriters around the world. As the Bus travels across America, it provides visitors with free, hands-on experiences using the latest audio and video technology, gear and products. The Bus, a 501(c)(3) venture, is made possible through the generosity of sponsors including Maxell Corporation, Yamaha, NAMM, Apple, JVC Professional, Furman Sound, Neutrik, Aphex Systems, Musiciansfriend.com, Glyph Technologies, Ultimate Support, EMI Music Publishing, Disc Makers, Guitar Player, Shure, D’Addario, Planet Waves, M-Audio, Stanton, Spectrasonics, Gepco, Taytrix, Marathon and Corprint. The John Lennon Songwriting Contest and Educational Tour Bus are made possible by an agreement with Yoko Ono Lennon who says, “I hope this Contest will encourage, inspire and help the songwriters of the world to share their dreams with us.”