Music Celebs Honor National Music Education Month at The Manhattan Center Studios in New York City

Musicians Record New Tracks for Little Kids Rock’s "Little Kids, Big Fans" CD Project

March 25, 2004 – Montclair, NJ - Little Kids Rock, a non-profit music education program that provides free instruments and instruction to children in public schools, announced today that it has just wrapped up another celebrity recording session for their upcoming celebrity project, "Little Kids, Big Fans: Stars United For Music Education." The CD project features high profile artists recording cover versions of songs written by Little Kids Rock students. Two tracks were recorded "Little Dinosaur" and "Everyone Loves the Rainbow" during the March 8th recording session at the Manhattan Center Studios. The new cuts will feature Billy Joel’s percussionist Liberty DeVitto and Brian Hardgroove of Public Enemy and Victor Burks of the Fine Arts Militia.

"It's so great to be working and recording with the future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers! I am looking forward to the next time," said Liberty DeVitto, long-time percussionist for Billy Joel.

"For almost 100 years, the Manhattan Center has sustained a commitment to provide New Yorkers with access to the very best in music performance," says Manhattan Center Productions President, Peter Ross. "The youngest in our community are deserving of every opportunity to experience and to create the joy of music. We are delighted to be part of the Little Kids Rock team."

"This session was an important step for the project. As more and more music luminaries get involved, the project garners greater interest from other musicians, record executives and other potential partners, and raises awareness for our cause," says David Wish, Little Kids Rock Executive Director and Founder.

Last November, Tom Johnson (Doobie Brothers), Jason Newsted, (Metallica, Voivod), blues guitarist Roy Rogers, Zigaboo Modaliste (Meters) and singer Austin Willacy kicked-off the project’s first recording session.

Future stages for the production will include several more recording sessions, post-production/mixing/mastering, art production, CD duplication, distribution, marketing and several benefit concert events. In the coming months, both Manhattan Center Studios in New York and the Plant in Sausalito, California will be donating their time and services to Little Kids Rock. The CD is slated for release in December 2004.

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 MANHATTAN CENTER STUDIOS
Originally built as the Manhattan Opera House in 1906 by Oscar Hammerstein I, the Manhattan Center boasts a rich history within the entertainment industry. Now, almost 100 years later, the Manhattan Center continues to offer the very best in live musical performances. Its sought-after recording studios continue to produce great records and may be viewed at www.mcp-studios.com. With the scheduled re-emergence of the Manhattan Center Records label, new artists representing different musical genres will further honor Oscar Hammerstein's legacy of making good music available to all.

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