Click here to see Bonnie's visit to one of our Little Kids Rock classrooms in San Francisco!

Bonnie Raitt

We are proud to call Bonnie Raitt an honorary member of our Board of Directors. She feels very strongly about the value of music education and in breaking down barriers for disadvantaged children. "Because I'm a musician I'd like to encourage people who can't afford guitars - and girls who wouldn't even think about playing a guitar," says Raitt. "I had a guitar as a kid because my parents and grandparents gave me one, and I was able to be in a school orchestra and take piano lessons. But these days, I don't think it's an option for kids - and certainly not in the inner city. We hope to offer access to music for people who otherwise wouldn't have access to it."

Click here to see an amazing video of Ziggy jamming with some of our Little Kids Rock students!

Ziggy Marley

A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Ziggy Marley first sat in on recording sessions with his father, Bob Marley, when he was ten years old.  Joining with his three siblings to become The Melody Makers, Ziggy crafted his own soulful sound blending blues, R&B, hip-hop and reggae, winning three Grammy Awards.  Ziggy released his debut solo album in 2003, Dragonfly, followed up by 2006’s Love Is My Religion. He has contributed to a variety of soundtracks including 50 First Dates and Shark's Tale, in which he delved into acting for the first time, playing the character of Bernie, the Jamaican jellyfish.  In addition to his skills as a singer, songwriter and producer, Ziggy founded U.R.G.E. (Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment), a non-profit organization that benefits a wide range of charitable children's causes in Jamaica, Ethiopia and other developing nations. More recently he has thrown his support behind the Youth AIDS campaign.

Click here to see James Burton rockin' out with some of our Shreveport students!

James Burton

James Burton, a member of the Little Kids Rock Honorary Board of Directors, helped raise funds to launch a chapter in Shreveport, LA.

James started performing professionally at the age of 14. He started as a house guitar player for the Louisiana Hayride, a radio broadcast out of the historical Municipal Auditorium. James went on to play for Elvis Presley for a number of years until Elvis’ death. He also played for Ricky Nelson and has been named a Top 100 Guitar Player of this Century by Guitar Magazine. James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has won several Country Music Awards.

Click here to see a video of Joe Satriani's visit to a Little Kids Rock classroom!

Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani is one of the most recognizable guitar voices of our time, earning his place alongside the great masters of rock guitar. Over the course of his illustrious career, Mr. Satriani has achieved huge success, selling more than 10 million albums & DVDs worldwide with 12 solo albums (2 platinum, 4 gold) and 3 platinum DVD’s, as well as garnering 13 Grammy nominations.

Click here to see a video of the legendary B.B. King!

B.B. King

B.B. King has developed one of the world's most identifiable guitar styles and has been a hero for thousands of players, from Eric Clapton and George Harrison to Jeff Beck and the Edge. "I think that what Little Kids Rock does for kids is just amazing." says Mr. King. "I'd like to see this program in a lot more schools. Young kids playing instruments, composing their own music and recording their own songs? That is something I just have to get behind!" Little Kids Rock is proud to count Mr. King as an honorary member of our Board of Directors.

Paul Simon

On a national level, music programs are being gutted with unprecedented speed. We are excited to align forces with Paul Simon. He is a musical legend and is helping further our mission of bringing free music education to kids all over the country. Simon, who has won 16 Grammies, has contributed in a substantial manner to charitable causes. He is co-founder of the Children's Health Fund, a national mobile medical-outreach program that provides free care for homeless and underserved children in South Africa. He also regularly performs in benefit concerts.

Steve Vai

It's nice to know that one of today's guitar heros is committed to helping the next generation of music makers. "I wanted to do my part to address the fact that music programs for kids are disappearing at an unprecedented rate," says Honorary Board Member Steve Vai. "My own home state of California ranks 50th in the country for access to music and arts education. Those of us in the music word are in a unique position to help bring awareness to the problem and I think that Little Kids Rock does fantastic work."

Check out this video of Brad Delson's visit to a Little Kids Rock classroom in LA!

Brad Delson (Linkin Park)

Brad Delson is the guitarist for the Grammy Award winning group Linkin Park. The band has released multi-platinum studio albums on Warner Bros. Records, Hybrid Theory and Meteora. Meteora was the best selling rock album of 2003, moving 5 million copies in the U.S. alone. Linkin Park’s debut album, Hybrid Theory, has sold 18 million copies worldwide and was the best selling album of 2001. Brad Delson joined Little Kids Rock Honorary Board of Directors in 2005.

Les Paul

Les Paul is as well-known for his contributions to the history of rock and roll as for his world class musicianship. He invented the solid-body electric guitar and perfected the first multi-track recording machine. He was also an innovator of sound-on-sound recording, overdubbing, reverb effects and multi-tracking. Having Les Paul on our Honorary Board of Directors is particularly meaningful for Little Kids Rock due to the significant role he has played in the history of rock and roll. Since we're exposing kids to studio recording and playing the electric guitar we can think of no better way of honoring the past while looking to the future than by introducing our kids to this musical giant.

Jason Newsted

Bassist Jason Newsted Jason has joined a new supergroup called Supernova with Tommy Lee on drums and Gilby Clarke on guitar. They're using the 2nd season of the Rock Star TV show (http://rockstar.msn.com) on CBS to find a lead singer. The show starts airing in 2006 on July 5 and runs for 13 weeks through the end of September. Jason Newsted has played with a number of musical luminaries, including heavy metal heroes Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne. He also takes time out of his schedule to play with some of tomorrow's big stars - our students! Jason joined our Honorary Board early in 2004 after seeing first hand the quality of our program and the benefits it brings to our students. "It has been proven that children who create relationships with musical instruments do better in school and in life," says Newsted. "In times like these, when the arts are being forced out of our schools, encouraging self-confidence in kids through music, or in any way we can, is absolutely essential. I'm honored to give my support to this incredible organization."

Click here to see a video of a newstory about Carlos Santana's Little Kids Rock's involvement!

Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana's Milagro Foundation has purchased dozens of electric and acoustic guitars for our students. The effects of the foundation's involvement go far beyond the money and instruments that it provides, says Little Kids Rock founder, David Wish. "Not only have our kids improved their academic performance as a result of musical training, they have greater confidence in themselves and in their community - seeing that someone as well-known as Carlos Santana is interested in them and their dreams." Thank you Milagro Foundation!

Click here to see a video of a cool interview with Mike Stone!

Mike Stone

Since 2003, Mike Stone has been a guitarist for Queensryche, one of the world's most famous and successful progressive metal bands. Mr. Stone has a history of raising funds in support of music education, and Little Kids Rock was proud to add him to its Honorary Board of Directors on January 19, 2007.

"On my eighth birthday, my Aunt Lynda gave me a brand new acoustic guitar. I have been hooked ever since," said Mr. Stone. "I know firsthand the impact one musical instrument can have on a child's life, and I am proud to help Little Kids Rock give thousands of kids across the country the same gift my Aunt Lynda gave me."

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) are masters of the rock and roll big band! TSO has donated proceeds from some of their concerts to help Little Kids Rock reach hundreds of new students!

Meredith Brooks

While on tour, Meredith Brooks found a unique way to give back by creating Anybody's Mentoring Program (A.M.P.). On various tour stops from 1997 through 2002, Brooks would arrange to speak with crowds of high school students about making it in both the music industry and in life. She performed her music, but the focus was on relating her experiences and stirring others to work hard to achieve their goals.

“In working with kids through my mentoring program, A.M.P. (Anybody's Mentoring Program), I have witnessed hundreds of kids who have been saved through music. Little Kid's Rock may be that ”angel” to millions of kids who deserve a chance to experience and develop one of the greatest natural gifts available… music and all the amazing benefits it can bring!

Marcus Henderson

Little Kids Rock's definition of a "Guitar Hero" is anyone who helps us place a guitar in the hands of a child, which truly makes Marcus Henderson a Guitar Hero.

Marcus Henderson, the lead guitarist for the award-winning PlayStation game Guitar Hero, joined the Honorary Board of Directors in 2007 shortly after jamming with students at a Little Kids Rock elementary school program in Richmond, California.

"Guitar Hero’s success has demonstrated the joy and excitement children feel when creating music," said Henderson. "I am proud of my involvement with Guitar Hero and am thrilled that it has led me to become involved with Little Kids Rock. Little Kids Rock knows that effective music education should be as fun as a game.”

John Denner

John Denner is one of the most remarkable guitar players of our time, born without his right hand, Johns love of guitar music lead to him teaching himself how to play guitar in his early 20's. With a picking device and a guitar John took inspiration to another level when he stunned the world with his Howard Stern performance in 2007. Since then John has been featured in Play Guitar Magazine, interviewed at top rated radio stations and has played side by side with Les Paul at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York.

Jack Orbin

Jack Orbin is founder and President of Stone City Attractions. He arranged for a Little Kids Rock benefit event with the Trans Siberian Orchestra on 11/11/06 at Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN.

From his involvement in successful anti-drug abuse campaigns, to appearing on national television programs (Today Show, etc.) and national music panels to being an active member of the San Antonio Alamodome Advisory Sub-Committee (appointed by former San Antonio Mayor and H.U.D. Secretary, Henry Cisneros), Jack Orbin prides himself in the extent of this community involvement. We are proud to count him as a supporter of Little Kids Rock!

Gregg Rolie

Gregg Rolie is responsible for co-founding two phenomenally popular super groups, Santana and Journey. In 1998, this world-class musician, writer, producer and Woodstock performer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the original voice of Santana.  Gregg Rolie headlined Little Kids Rock's second "Music Matters" fundraiser, held in San Francisco in October 2006, and Little Kids Rock is proud to have him as a member of our Honorary Board of Directors. 

Click here to see a video of Rick Springfield's concert to benefit Little Kids Rock!

Rick Springfield

Rick Springfield has given us much enduring pop & rock music. He's sold 18 million records and scored 17 Top 40 hits. He's also the father of two and a strong advocate for music education. Rick Springfield headlined Little Kids Rock's first fundraiser, "Music Matters", held in San Francisco in March 2005. Little Kids Rock is proud to have Rick Springfield as a member of our Honorary Board of Directors.

Dave Mason

Dave Mason's career spans over 37 years and has encompassed producing, performing and song writing. Not to mention being one of rock's great guitar players! Along with his induction as a founding member of the group Traffic into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, he is currently putting the finishing touches to a brand new solo album. In January. Along with his partner Ravi Sawhney, Dave launched a brand new electric guitar company at the 2004 NAMM show, in Anaheim, CA. (www.rksguitars.com)

Al Leiter

With an impressive professional baseball career spanning nearly fifteen years, Al Leiter became an avid coordinator and participant in aid organizations in 1998. At that time, Mr. Leiter publicly pledged to donate $1 million to kids' causes, mostly through a foundation he and his wife launched called the Leiterlanding Children’s Foundation. Among his gifts to the communities was his establishment of a tutoring project in Harlem and a $100,000 donation for the construction of a Little League baseball field in his hometown of Toms River, New Jersey.

Bob Weir

The Grateful Dead guitarist has made a lot of little kids happy by helping to fund free rock and roll music classes for students in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bob Weir's Furthur Foundation has awarded us a few grants to expand our programming. He has also donated an autographed instrument. Andre Carothers, Executive Director of the Furthur Foundation says, "We are honored to be working with an organization that regularly introduces youngsters to the joys of music making. The work that Little Kids Rock does with its students is excellent."

Click here to see a video of Tom Wait's visit to one of our classes in San Francisco!

Tom Waits

Legendary performer and composer Tom Waits has visited the Little Kids Rock program and treated our students to an intimate question and answer session as well as to a little concert and jam session. "Little Kids Rock brings cool water to the desert," says Waits. "Unfortunately, a desert is what the arts in public education has become."

Liberty DeVitto

Having spent more than two decades in Billy Joel's band, Liberty DeVitto knows what it means to rock! He also knows that kids need music in their schools and is committed to doing what he can to insure that tomorrow's musicians get the support they need...today. "Liberty visits our students in NY," says Little Kids Rock founder Dave Wish. "Aside from being one of the best rock drummers of all time, Liberty is a really amazing person. It is a treat to see him interact with the kids. They love him!"

Click here to see an awesome video of Carmine visitng a LKR classroom in the Bronx!

Carmine Appice

As a friend of Little Kids Rock, Carmine has been an inspiration to students by visiting schools and holding benefit concerts to help support the mission of LKR.
Carmine first came into the spotlight with the band Vanilla Fudge in the late 1960’s.  Later, Carmine joined Grammy-winning guitar hero Jeff Beck, becoming a member of the internationally acclaimed trio: Beck, Bogert and Appice.  One of the premier showmen in rock, he became known worldwide for his astonishing live performances, in addition to becoming a highly sought-after session drummer. In 1976, his friend Rod Stewart invited him to join the band.  As a member of the Rod Stewart Band, Carmine discovered yet another talent by becoming a hit songwriter. 

Zigaboo Modeliste

Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste is one of the premier drummers in modern history. He is responsible for the art form known as "Second Line Funk Drumming." Born and raised in New Orleans, Zigaboo has recorded with a multitude of artists including The Meters, Professor Longhair, Dr. John Allen Toussaint, Robert Palmer, and Lee Dorsey, to name only a few. Zigaboo has spent time with some of our students at the legendary Plant Recording Studios in Sausalito, CA. He has contributed to "Little Kids, Big Fans: Stars United for Music Education," a benefit CD to support our efforts.

Charlie Adams

Charlie Adams and Yanni have been playing music together for over 25 years and they have recorded fourteen CD’s together. In addition to being one of the world's greatest drummers, Charlie is also a big supporter of music education and a proud supporter of Little Kids Rock. He has volunteered his time to speak with our teachers in Nashville. Charlie is involved in other charity work and is well known for his work with the Autism Society of America. Thank you Charlie!

Jesse McCartney

Eighteen-year-old Jesse McCartney is a Hollywood Records recording artist, whose debut CD Beautiful Soul has sold over one million copies. He began as a child performer, singing on Broadway and appearing in the popular daytime drama All My Children. He was also a member of the platinum selling group Dream Street. McCartney returned to acting in 2004 with a role on the hit WB drama Summerland. He just released a new DVD, Up Close.

Roy Rogers

Slide guitar master Roy Rogers has played with many of the best known blues and rock musicians, including John Lee Hooker, Keith Richars and Bonnie Raitt. Mr. Rogers has also spent time with some of our students at the legendary Plant Recording Studios in Sausalito, CA. He has contributed to "Little Kids, Big Fans: Stars United for Music Education," a benefit CD to support our efforts.

Norton Buffalo

Harmonica legend Norton Buffalo has played with the Steve Miller Band for many years. He has also played with a score of other well-known artists including Bonnie Raitt, Kenny Loggins, The Doobie Brothers, The Marshall Tucker Band, Johnny Cash, David Grisman, Juice Newton, Laurie Lewis and Elvin Bishop. He also has taken the time to jam with 30 Little Kids Rock students in a San Francisco elementary school. Wow! That was cool!

Click here to see a video of the legendary John Lee Hooker's visit to a Little Kids Rock classroom!

John Lee Hooker

It was with great sadness that Little Kids Rock said goodbye to the legendary John Lee Hooker. When Mr Hooker visited our students he performed for them, listened to them play and offered them words of wisdom. Mr. Hooker delighted us once again by accepting an honorary appointment to our Board of Directors. All of us at Little Kids Rock have extended our condolences to Mr. Hooker's many surviving children, grandchildren and great grand children. He is missed.

The String Cheese Incident

Legendary jam masters, The String Cheese Incident, have hosted two successful silent auctions in San Francisco. All the proceeds from these auctions were donated to Little Kids Rock. Enough funds were raised to open a few new Little Kids Rock classes and everyone in attendance had a "gouda" time. Thank you String Cheese Incident!

Jon E. Gee

Jon E. Gee’s performing, recording, and teaching career has made him one of the best seasoned performers. He has performed with national and international recording artist to include Ted Nugent & John Mellencamp. He’s recorded several CD’s for various artist and has performed live to millions of people, he has taught and mentored hundreds of bass students. He is a proud supporter of Little Kids Rock!

Antigoni Goni

Greek-born classical guitarist Antigoni Goni has visited our students on a number of occasions. She is the newest artist on the roster of San Francisco Performances' Artist-in-Residence program, joining jazz vibraphonist Stefon Harris, baritone Christopheren Nomura, and the Alexander String Quartet. Goni has toured the world as a soloist and recitalist and has appeared in Russia and extensively throughout Europe and North America. She has also won many international competitions. She is now head of the guitar department of The Juilliard Pre-College Division.

Manuel Barrueco

Hailed by critics at the New York Times as "the undisputed crown prince of the present guitar dynasty" Manuel Barrueco has been credited with inspiring an entire generation of classical guitarists. Thanks to the efforts of San Francisco Performances, this world-renowned guitar master paid a very special visit to a group of young Little Kids Rock students in San Francisco. Barrueco also treated the students to a private concert and answered their many questions.

Jim Campilongo

Little Kids Rock students were treated to a visit from guitar virtuoso Jim Campilongo. He listened to the student's as they performed some of their original compositions. Next he treated them to a rollercoaster ride of stunning guitar work. The students talked about his visit for weeks and they spent a lot of time listening to the CDs that he gave them as gifts. Campilongo is is a frequent contributer to Guitar Player Magazine.

pc muñoz and the amen corner

Songwriter pc muñoz began making a buzz in the Bay Area in the early 90's with a unique, speak-sing style used over funk beats, that had critics to calling him a "cross between Leonard Cohen and Prince." During this time, muñoz spent his days teaching elementary school in San Francisco, and his nights working as a drummer, playing R&B, jazz, calypso, and gospel. pc's background as a school teacher and musician are a perfect marriage for LKR's music education efforts. pc and the amen corner make regular vists to LKR Bay Area classrooms each year.