Media Contact:
Keith Hejna
Little Kids Rock
Work: (973) 746-8248, ext. 114
keith@littlekidsrock.org
Famed Guitarist/Singer-Songwriter, Monte Pittman, Joins Little Kids Rock Honorary Board
Solo Artist and Guitarist for Madonna, Adam Lambert and Prong signs on to help restore and revitalize music education in public schools
Cedar Grove, NJ., Aug. 10, 2010 -- Little Kids Rock (LKR), a leading nonprofit provider of free musical instruments and teacher trainings in the United States, today announced that Monte Pittman, famed solo artist and guitarist for Madonna, Adam Lambert and Prong, has accepted a role as an honorary board member for the organization. Pittman joins a number of prominent music industry legends on the Board including B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, Slash and Ziggy Marley.
Known as the “Guitar Teacher to the Stars” to some, Monte has been sought after as an instructor for his expertise, professionalism and down-to-earth charisma. Throughout his life, Monte has realized the importance of allowing and encouraging children to have access to music. Most importantly, Monte believes that children should have the support and involvement of devoted individuals to help them pursue their dreams of music.
"One of the greatest gifts from being a musician is the ability to help others by what you have been blessed with,” Pittman says. “Little Kids Rock provides that opportunity to help pass the torch to the future generations of aspiring players, performers and songwriters by showing them what we've picked up along the way. I'm excited to be involved with a team who generously devotes so much to planting the seeds for future generations of musicians.”
In addition to joining Little Kids Rock’s honorary board, Pittman is decorating a guitar for a unique guitar auction that will raise money to help Little Kids Rock install music programs into more public schools in low-income areas. Other musical luminaries decorating custom, unfinished Fender® Stratocaster bodies include Gene Simmons, Slash, Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Joe Satriani and several others. Three years ago, a similar auction raised more than $250,000 for Little Kids Rock.
“Adding someone of Monte Pittman’s caliber to Little Kids Rock’s honorary board is a really a thrill for us,” said Dave Wish, founder and executive director of Little Kids Rock. “A musician and a songwriter, Monte is living proof of the power that music education has to change kids’ lives. By decorating a guitar for our auction and sitting on our honorary board, Monte will help us expand our efforts to reach the kids who are most in need of music education. We’re extremely grateful to Monte and know the program will benefit immensely from his involvement.”
Fans can donate to Little Kids Rock on behalf of Monte Pittman by visiting: http://www.razoo.com/story/Monte-Pittman-Fans-For-Little-Kids-Rock
About Monte Pittman
Monte’s story is nearly as fascinating as his music. Originating from Longview, Texas, he moved to LA in 1999. Monte began teaching guitar lessons to British filmmaker, Guy Ritchie, who introduced him to Madonna. Who better to teach Madonna guitar than Monte? Over the last decade, Monte has played with Madonna on tour and in studio, sharing writing credits on several songs.
Monte was also the guitar player for the Industrial Rock band, Prong, credited with co-writing songs and co-producing the album Power of the Damager. In addition, Monte added backing vocals and bass to this album.
Currently, Monte is the lead guitarist and Music Director for Adam Lambert’s live band. His rock influence is evident in Lambert’s more recent live performances. Fingers fly on the fretboard during electric solos, while his acoustic skills are showcased in the stripped-down arrangements of Adam’s songs.
Monte Pittman is as diverse as he is talented. He continues to be in high demand as a live musician, singer, songwriter, and producer/co-producer. In addition to all of that, he is now pursuing his passion as a solo artist. When asked to describe The Deepest Dark, his first solo album, Monte says, “The album flows. It tells a story from start to finish. The whole thing is about coming out of the black, into the light.”
For more information, check out: http://montster-of-rock.com
As of August 23, more information can be found at: http://montepittman.com
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 underprivileged children in US public schools, and has served more than 97,000 students at over 1,200 schools in 24 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.
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