In the spirit of the holidays, we offer up some suggestions for all of you lovers of music.
Below you will find 5 charities that benefit young artists and future musicians or were founded by musicians.
I know some of you might wonder why I suggest these charities.
Simply put, without music my life would be so much less than it is today.
I can remember times when the family was driving in the car into the Bronx to visit relatives for the holidays and the radio would be playing and a young Vinny would be singing quietly in the back seat and the joy I felt inside.
I can remember the times playing with my garage band and finding that perfect riff on my bass guitar and the joy I felt inside.
I remember using my friends CB radio and 'producing' a radio show, where we would play records and talk and laugh and the joy I felt inside.
I can remember that first day on the R.I.T. campus, walking into the radio station and getting on the air the next day and realizing people were actually listening and the joy I felt inside.
I can remember getting that first fill-in spot on WCMF in Rochester and realizing that ALOT of people were listening and the joy I felt inside.
I can remember one late evening call from friends in Elmira, NY to tell me one of my shows I recorded for the Kaleidoscope Network was playing on their radio and they were partying and listening, and the joy I felt inside.
I can remember the times as a wedding DJ, with 100..200...and once 350 people in the room and many of them on the dance floor responding to my music and the joy I felt inside.
Now, I share my music and the little knowledge I of have of it with all y'all and the comments from some thanking me for introducing them to a new band or for passing on some information that they dd not know and the joy I feel inside.
As I have said numerous times, there is always a soundtrack playing in my head...music to get me through the tough times and music to accentuate the great times.
I was asked once - as I am sure many of you have - which sense I could do without and it has always been my hearing. Would I want to lose my sight...absolutely not...but if given a choice between sight and sound, I will take sound any day.
SO in the spirit of giving, I give you these suggestions...they are all worthwhile causes and maybe you are looking to give to something different...and with that in mind...I offer them up to all y'all...
Below you will find 5 charities that benefit young artists and future musicians or were founded by musicians.
I know some of you might wonder why I suggest these charities.
Simply put, without music my life would be so much less than it is today.
I can remember times when the family was driving in the car into the Bronx to visit relatives for the holidays and the radio would be playing and a young Vinny would be singing quietly in the back seat and the joy I felt inside.
I can remember the times playing with my garage band and finding that perfect riff on my bass guitar and the joy I felt inside.
I remember using my friends CB radio and 'producing' a radio show, where we would play records and talk and laugh and the joy I felt inside.
I can remember that first day on the R.I.T. campus, walking into the radio station and getting on the air the next day and realizing people were actually listening and the joy I felt inside.
I can remember getting that first fill-in spot on WCMF in Rochester and realizing that ALOT of people were listening and the joy I felt inside.
I can remember one late evening call from friends in Elmira, NY to tell me one of my shows I recorded for the Kaleidoscope Network was playing on their radio and they were partying and listening, and the joy I felt inside.
I can remember the times as a wedding DJ, with 100..200...and once 350 people in the room and many of them on the dance floor responding to my music and the joy I felt inside.
Now, I share my music and the little knowledge I of have of it with all y'all and the comments from some thanking me for introducing them to a new band or for passing on some information that they dd not know and the joy I feel inside.
As I have said numerous times, there is always a soundtrack playing in my head...music to get me through the tough times and music to accentuate the great times.
I was asked once - as I am sure many of you have - which sense I could do without and it has always been my hearing. Would I want to lose my sight...absolutely not...but if given a choice between sight and sound, I will take sound any day.
SO in the spirit of giving, I give you these suggestions...they are all worthwhile causes and maybe you are looking to give to something different...and with that in mind...I offer them up to all y'all...
MusiCares
MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.
Website Link: http://www.grammy.com/MusiCares/
Donation Link: https://www.grammy.com/MusiCares/Donate/Donations/MusiCaresDonation.aspx?comp=0
World Hunger Year - Artists Against Hunger & Poverty
http://www.worldhungeryear.org/comm_conn/aahp.asp
WHY is a leading advocate for innovative, community-based solutions to hunger and poverty. WHY challenges society to confront these problems by advancing models that create self-reliance, economic justice, and equal access to nutritious and affordable food. WHY was founded by a musician - the late great Harry Chapin and is currently chaired by his daughter Jen Chapin. Artists Against Hunger & Poverty (AAHP) is WHY's program that enlists performing artists to help raise funds and awareness for the most innovative and effective community-based organizations working to combat hunger and poverty. WHY offers artists, record labels, managers, agents and fan clubs an opportunity to take a stand by using their voices and resources effectively — while doing what they already do so well.
Website Link: https://www.yhunger.org/
Donation Link: https://www.yhunger.org/hungerthon/donation.php
With your donation, you can receive a limited edition John Lennon "Imagine There's No Hunger" /Hard Rock Café pin, T-shirt or sweatshirt. You can also receive the all-star Serve3 benefit CD, which features tracks by Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Joss Stone and more.
Musicians on Call
Musicians On Call uses music to promote and complement the healing process for patients, families and caregivers. Musicians On Call, a nonprofit organization formed in 1999, brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. Musicians On Call uses music to promote and complement the healing process for patients, families and caregivers.
Website: http://www.musiciansoncall.org
Donation Link: http://www.musiciansoncall.org/index.htm?id=10612&sid=10595
They can also use donations of classical and children’s music CDs
New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita forced many musicians to flee New Orleans. Jazz, blues, and other genres that are the city's musical score, cannot return until the musicians return. Facing rising housing costs, a shortage of decent units, and a national mortgage crisis, the Musicians' Village is providing local musicians and other qualifiying partner families the opportunity to own a home in a thriving community of committed individuals and families. Conceived by Harry Connick, Jr. and Branford Marsalis, the Musicians' Village will consist of 70 single-family, Habitat-constructed homes and 10 rental units for the older "music masters" of New Orleans. Its centerpiece will be the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, dedicated to the music education and development of homeowners and others who will live nearby.
Website: http://www.habitat-nola.org/projects/musicians_village.php
Donation Link: https://secure.toolsfororgs.com/habitat-nola.org/donate/donateonline.php
Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation (MHOF) donates new and refurbished musical instruments to underserved schools, community music programs and individual students nationwide, in an effort to give youngsters the many benefits of music education, help them to be better students and inspire creativity and expression through playing music. Because of the financial and in-kind support of concerned and motivated music lovers, more than 500,000 young students have new opportunities and experiences available to them. They have been given something that will generate lifelong benefits and memories. Teachers, parents and those in their community see every day how much this simple thing, giving a child an instrument to play, can change their life forever. In eleven years, 746 music programs and 103 schools in six states affected by Hurricane Katrina are now giving their students a better music education experience because of widespread financial and in-kind support.
Website: http://www.mhopus.org
Donation Link: http://www.mhopus.org/donors.asp
If you are interested in helping the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, there are several ways to be involved!
Donate by mailing a check or an instrument: MHOF accepts donations of gently used band and orchestral instruments. We cannot accept pianos, organs or guitars. To donate, please send your well-packaged instrument to the address below, and include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address inside the package. To expedite processing of your donation, we will accept an appraisal from a qualified music dealer of your choosing. Please include, on the dealer's official letterheard or form, the appraised value and description of your instrument. MHOF will send you a letter of thanks, with the appraised value for tax purposes. If you cannot have the instrument appraised, MHOF will have it appraised for you.
Mail to:
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation
15125 Ventura Blvd. Suite 204
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Donate by phone: Call the Foundation at 818.784.6787 to contribute using your credit card.
MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.
Website Link: http://www.grammy.com/MusiCares/
Donation Link: https://www.grammy.com/MusiCares/Donate/Donations/MusiCaresDonation.aspx?comp=0
World Hunger Year - Artists Against Hunger & Poverty
http://www.worldhungeryear.org/comm_conn/aahp.asp
WHY is a leading advocate for innovative, community-based solutions to hunger and poverty. WHY challenges society to confront these problems by advancing models that create self-reliance, economic justice, and equal access to nutritious and affordable food. WHY was founded by a musician - the late great Harry Chapin and is currently chaired by his daughter Jen Chapin. Artists Against Hunger & Poverty (AAHP) is WHY's program that enlists performing artists to help raise funds and awareness for the most innovative and effective community-based organizations working to combat hunger and poverty. WHY offers artists, record labels, managers, agents and fan clubs an opportunity to take a stand by using their voices and resources effectively — while doing what they already do so well.
Website Link: https://www.yhunger.org/
Donation Link: https://www.yhunger.org/hungerthon/donation.php
With your donation, you can receive a limited edition John Lennon "Imagine There's No Hunger" /Hard Rock Café pin, T-shirt or sweatshirt. You can also receive the all-star Serve3 benefit CD, which features tracks by Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Joss Stone and more.
Musicians on Call
Musicians On Call uses music to promote and complement the healing process for patients, families and caregivers. Musicians On Call, a nonprofit organization formed in 1999, brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. Musicians On Call uses music to promote and complement the healing process for patients, families and caregivers.
Website: http://www.musiciansoncall.org
Donation Link: http://www.musiciansoncall.org/index.htm?id=10612&sid=10595
They can also use donations of classical and children’s music CDs
New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita forced many musicians to flee New Orleans. Jazz, blues, and other genres that are the city's musical score, cannot return until the musicians return. Facing rising housing costs, a shortage of decent units, and a national mortgage crisis, the Musicians' Village is providing local musicians and other qualifiying partner families the opportunity to own a home in a thriving community of committed individuals and families. Conceived by Harry Connick, Jr. and Branford Marsalis, the Musicians' Village will consist of 70 single-family, Habitat-constructed homes and 10 rental units for the older "music masters" of New Orleans. Its centerpiece will be the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, dedicated to the music education and development of homeowners and others who will live nearby.
Website: http://www.habitat-nola.org/projects/musicians_village.php
Donation Link: https://secure.toolsfororgs.com/habitat-nola.org/donate/donateonline.php
Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation (MHOF) donates new and refurbished musical instruments to underserved schools, community music programs and individual students nationwide, in an effort to give youngsters the many benefits of music education, help them to be better students and inspire creativity and expression through playing music. Because of the financial and in-kind support of concerned and motivated music lovers, more than 500,000 young students have new opportunities and experiences available to them. They have been given something that will generate lifelong benefits and memories. Teachers, parents and those in their community see every day how much this simple thing, giving a child an instrument to play, can change their life forever. In eleven years, 746 music programs and 103 schools in six states affected by Hurricane Katrina are now giving their students a better music education experience because of widespread financial and in-kind support.
Website: http://www.mhopus.org
Donation Link: http://www.mhopus.org/donors.asp
If you are interested in helping the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, there are several ways to be involved!
Donate by mailing a check or an instrument: MHOF accepts donations of gently used band and orchestral instruments. We cannot accept pianos, organs or guitars. To donate, please send your well-packaged instrument to the address below, and include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address inside the package. To expedite processing of your donation, we will accept an appraisal from a qualified music dealer of your choosing. Please include, on the dealer's official letterheard or form, the appraised value and description of your instrument. MHOF will send you a letter of thanks, with the appraised value for tax purposes. If you cannot have the instrument appraised, MHOF will have it appraised for you.
Mail to:
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation
15125 Ventura Blvd. Suite 204
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Donate by phone: Call the Foundation at 818.784.6787 to contribute using your credit card.
And the new site I have been using to upload music is also gone...What is a music sharer to do?????????
Keep looking and maybe find another place...let's see how long this one lasts...
From his newest Christmas Album, featuring the Count Basie Orchestra, this is an album we will talk more about on Monday...Mr. Tony Bennett
Keep looking and maybe find another place...let's see how long this one lasts...
From his newest Christmas Album, featuring the Count Basie Orchestra, this is an album we will talk more about on Monday...Mr. Tony Bennett
