FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Keith Hejna - 973.746.8248
Little Kids Rock
keith@littlekidsrock.org
Toby Keith Guitarist To Visit Chicago School
As Part Of Little Kids Rock Music Program
Guitarist Rich Eckhardt to meet and jam with Chicago students
Chicago, IL., September 17, 2009 —Little Kids Rock (LKR) a national nonprofit music organization that provides free instruments and instruction to underfunded public schools, today announced that Toby Keith’s guitarist, Rich Eckhardt, will visit the John Spry Community School in the Little Village community of Pilsen, Chicago from 12 pm – 1 pm on Saturday, September 19 as part of a Little Kids Rock initiative to restore and revitalize music education in U.S. public schools.
Eckhardt will meet and jam with ten students from grades 5-8 who participate in the Little Kids Rock music program, and field questions from the school’s students, parents, and staff.
John Spry Community School has been selected for the jam session from 50 public schools that make up Little Kids Rock’s Chicago chapter, which was launched in February 2008. To date, LKR has trained 61 Chicago public school teachers at its free workshops and donated 833 instruments to school music programs, enough to reach the over 3,522 students.
Little Kids Rock’s Chicago chapter is one of 20 nationwide chapters that have brought the gift of music to over 85,000 underserved students since 2002.
What:
Toby Keith guitarist, Rich Eckhardt, to visit Chicago community school
Where:
John Spry Community School
2400 S. Marshall Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60623
When:
September 19, 12 pm – 1 pm
Media are invited to attend.
About Little Kids Rock
Little Kids Rock is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that transforms children’s lives by restoring and revitalizing music education in underfunded public schools. Little Kids Rock was founded in San Francisco in 2002 by David Wish, an elementary school teacher who had grown frustrated with the lack of music education funding at his school. Today, Little Kids Rock is one of the leading nonprofit providers of free lessons and instruments to low-income children in US public schools, and has served more than 85,000 students at over 1,100 schools in 21 cities nationwide. Little Kids Rock Honorary Board Members include Bonnie Raitt, Slash, Paul Simon, B.B. King, Ziggy Marley and other famous friends in the music industry. More information can be found at: www.littlekidsrock.org and
www.littlekidsrock.tv.
About Rich Eckhardt
Rich Eckhardt is one of the most sought after guitarists in music today. His ability to cover multiple styles has put him on stage with singers ranging from Steven Tyler of Aerosmith to Shania Twain and Willie Nelson.
Shortly after moving to Nashville, Tennessee in 1989, his first gig was on the stage of the world famous Grand Ol’ Opry. From there, Rich began a steady run of touring and recording with artists including John Berry, Becky Hobbs, Rodney Atkins, Steve Azar, Eddy Raven, Mel McDaniel, Blake Shelton and Toby Keith.
Today, Eckhardt is extremely busy, balancing his hectic touring schedule with studio sessions and television appearances. He has performed in nearly every major concert venue in the world, played on multi-platinum and Grammy winning albums, entertained for three American presidents and has been seen on most of the industry’s staple television shows including the Tonight show and Superbowl XXXVIII.
