Little Kids Rock Launches Free Music Education Program in
Dallas and Houston

More than 2000 Texas Children to Receive Free Instruments and Music Lessons

July 27, 2007 – Austin, TX (Summer NAMM) - Little Kids Rock (LKR), a non-profit music program that provides free instruments and instruction for public school students, today announced that it will be launching new chapters in Dallas and Houston.  Through generous grants and donations, 2000 Texas children will receive the gift of music education. Students who participate in the music program will receive free music classes and guitars.

“We are excited to be making our way to Texas,” said Dave Wish, executive director of Little Kids Rock. “We believe that every child should have access to music education and with the help of some very generous contributions to our organization, we are able to make that a reality for thousands of children in the Lone Star state.”

The Dallas chapter launch has been made possible through Six-String Masterpieces, an all-star
charity auction and concert that took place in May 2007 and paid tribute to Dallas-area native Darrell Abbott, the late Pantera guitarist.  The Dallas workshop is scheduled for October 5-6.

The Hot Topic Foundation is supporting the creation of the chapter in Houston, which will launch this school year.

Little Kids Rock teaches kids how to play pop, rock, funk, blues, rap and hip-hop music. LKR students not only perform, but they also compose and record their own music. They have released four full-length CDs as well as music videos featuring student-written originals. To date, the Little Kids Rock program has served more than 10,000 students in California, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.  Supporters of the program include Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, B.B. King, Ziggy Marley and Brad Delson of Linkin Park.

ABOUT THE HOT TOPIC FOUNDATION
The Hot Topic Foundation supports charitable organizations and charitable programs that bring the arts to youth, with a focus on encouraging and educating youth in music, creative writing, painting, photography, filmmaking and more.  For more information about the Hot Topic Foundation, go to: http://community.hottopic.com/htfoundation.

ABOUT LITTLE KIDS ROCK
Little Kids Rock believes that music is a critical component of a first-rate education. Many schools have been stripped of their music programs. These cuts have had a disproportionately large impact on children from low-income backgrounds. Little Kids Rock restores music to its rightful place in the academic lives of kids in our public schools by providing a rich music education program including instrument instruction, free instruments and trained mentors. Founded by an elementary school teacher in 1996, Little Kids Rock is now serving thousands of students in CA, GA, LA, NY, NJ, PA and TN. More information can be found at: www.littlekidsrock.org.

Note to Media: Interviews with spokespeople and b-roll available upon request.

Media Contact:
Allison Neves, PR Director
Little Kids Rock
415-948-1200
allison@littlekidsrock.org