Music Industry Heavyweights Get Behind Little Kids Rock

D'Addario, Sabian, Sonor Execs Accept Seats on Music Education Program's Honorary Board of Directors

January 15th, 2004 - Anaheim, CA (Winter NAMM – Booth 2002 outside of Hall D) - Little Kids Rock (LKR), an innovative non-profit program that provides free instruments and music curriculum to children, announced today the appointment of three music industry heavyweights to its honorary board. John D'Addario Sr., CEO of J. D'Addario and Company and founder of the D’Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts, Robert Zildjian, Chairman of Sabian, Ltd. and Karl-Heinz Menzel, general manager of Sonor have all accepted seats on Little Kids Rock’s Honorary Board of Directors. Together, D’Addario, Sonor and Sabian have provided more than $100,000 worth of instruments and funding to Little Kids Rock in 2003.

"A recent poll told us that nine out of ten Americans believe that schools should mandate music education. I see this as a challenge that I’m willing to help take on," said John D’Addario, CEO of J. D'Addario and Company. "My involvement with Little Kids Rock is a step towards accepting that challenge."

"As someone who has enjoyed a life in music, I can confirm that it is a joy for life. And I am pleased and very proud to commit the support of SABIAN to Little Kids Rock, an outstanding program with a mission everyone in the music industry should be proud to support," added Robert Zildjian, Chairman, Sabian, Ltd.

"Sonor has historically supported music education," said Karl-Heinz Menzel, general manager of Sonor Drums. "We believe our partnership with Little Kids Rock will enable more children to develop an early appreciation and love of music making."

"We are honored that music industry heavyweights like D'Addario, Sabian and Sonor have given us their time and support," said David Wish, founder and executive director, Little Kids Rock. "These individuals have made a tremendous impact on the music industry and their generous efforts and commitment to music education will now impact the lives of children across the country."

LKR students learn to perform, compose and record their own music from a variety of genres, including pop, rock, funk, blues, rap and hip-hop. In addition to releasing four full-length CDs, the kids of Little Kids Rock have also recorded three music videos featuring student-written originals. To date, the Little Kids Rock program has served more than 2,000 students in California, New York and New Jersey. Additional LKR programs will be launching in Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago schools within the next year.

Supporters of the program include B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, Carlos Santana, the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, Les Paul, String Cheese Incident and the late blues legend, John Lee Hooker.

ABOUT LITTLE KIDS ROCK
Little Kids Rock believes that music is a critical component of first-rate education. Many elementary 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 a single elementary school teacher in 1996, Little Kids Rock is now serving 2,000 students in CA, NY, NJ and TN. Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, BB King and Les Paul sit on our Honorary Board of Directors and we are supported by friends Carlos Santana, Phish, Bob Weir and others. Little Kids Rock programs are scheduled to launch in the Los Angeles area in 2004.

About the D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts
The D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts is committed to inspiring and assisting the growth and appreciation of music throughout the world. The focus of the Foundation's giving is in the areas of stringed musical instruments as well as band and orchestral instruments, primarily through the support of educational programs and events, as well as performance-based activities. The D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts is a sister organization of J. D Addario & Company, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of musical instrument accessories.

About Sonor Drums
Sonor is a German based manufacture of some of the world’s finest musical instruments. Founded over 125 years ago, Sonor is an unquestioned industry leader in quality and innovation. More info at: www.hohnerusa.com/percussion.htm

About Sabian
Founded in 1982, Sabian is globally renowned as the world's leading cymbal maker. Located in the tiny eastern Canada village of Meductic, New Brunswick, this family-owned company employs approximately 130 personnel, with its corporate centre and manufacturing in Canada, plus offices in Switzerland, the UK, France, and the USA. More info at:
www.sabian.com

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