Little Kids Rock 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.

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. A Los Angeles chapter is in the works with Sheila E. taking a prominent role.

Their latest projects include a CD that will feature professional musicians performing Little Kids Rock songs, a sort of tribute album to and for Little Kids Rock. Jason Newsted (of Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne fame currently with Voivod) recently recorded a cover version of a LKR tune. He picked a song by a nine- year-old composer and recorded his own version of the tune! Revenue raised from the project (called Little Kids, Big Fans: Stars United for Music Education.) will support LKR and its programs.

Little Kids Rock was the beneficiary of a surprise visit by major music icons on October 21st. The all-star line-up featured musicians from a number of different genres including rock, heavy metal, folk and blues. Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, Jason Newsted, Norton Buffalo and Austin Willacy all converged on a San Francisco elementary school in support of Little Kids Rock. The event reached a climax when the students and celebrities jammed together during a blues number. The star-studded event was made possible through a partnership with Active Music, an organization that raises awareness, funding and community support for critical issues and nonprofit organizations through the power of music (ONE WAY will feature Active Music in a future issue).

Raitt, who is an Honorary Member of the LKR Board of Directors, said "I had a guitar as a kid because my parents and grandparents gave me one, and I was able to be in a school orchestra and take piano lessons. But these days, I don't think it's an option for kids - and certainly not in the inner city. We hope to offer access to music for people who otherwise wouldn't have access to it."

To make a donation contact Little Kids Rock at:

ATTN: Barbara Crossen
(415)-674-1303
2828 Divisadero
San Francisco, CA 94123
www.littlekidsrock.org
barbara@littlekidsrock.org