Little Kids Rock 'Right to Rock' Benefit to Honor Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band With 'Big Man of the Year Award'

Little Kids Rock 'Right to Rock' Benefit to Honor Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band With 'Big Man of the Year Award'

Tickets now available for October 22 event at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City

MONTCLAIR, N.J., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit music organization that provides free instruments and instruction to underfunded public schools, today announced details for its "Right to Rock" benefit event, to be held on Thursday, October 22nd at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City. The event will honor legendary E Street Band saxophonist, philanthropist and author Clarence Clemons with the inaugural "Big Man of the Year Award" and feature live performances by several special guests as well as Little Kids Rock students. Tickets for the event can be purchased online now at: http://www.littlekidsrock.org/events.html.

"More than 50 percent of kids who play an instrument go on to college, yet music education programs at the inner city public schools who need them most continue to be hit hard with budget cuts," said Clarence Clemons. "Little Kids Rock has responded to this problem in a really big way and made a positive impact on the lives of literally thousands of low-income students who wouldn't have otherwise had the opportunity. I strongly encourage those who are in a position to do so to support their cause and spread the word about this inspirational program."

Proceeds from the "Right to Rock" event will be used to restore and revitalize music education in underfunded public schools across the country. Since 2002, Little Kids Rock has put music back in schools by providing teachers with free musical instruments and training so that they can instruct students on their favorite music styles, including rock, blues, reggae and hip-hop. Today, the Little Kids Rock program serves more than 42,000 students in 21 cities nationwide.

In recognition of his significant contributions to the field of music as well as his philanthropic efforts on behalf of children, Little Kids Rock will present Clarence Clemons, also known as "The Big Man," with the inaugural "Big Man of the Year Award". Other distinguished guests and honorees at the "Right to Rock" benefit event include Bill Mendello, CEO of Fender® Musical Instruments Corp., Betsy McGlaughlin, CEO of HotTopic, and Mary Luehrsen, director of government relations and public affairs for NAMM.

"This year's Right to Rock event will celebrate the amazing people who have made it possible for Little Kids Rock to reach more than 85,000 students since the program was born seven years ago," said Dave Wish, executive director of Little Kids Rock. "We are especially excited to recognize one of our newest fans, Clarence 'The Big Man' Clemons, as an inspiration for his unwavering philanthropic contributions on behalf of children around the world. We expect this awards program, named in his honor, will live on for many years to come."

Right to Rock Auction and Sponsorship Opportunities

The Right to Rock Auction will feature Fender® Guitars signed by rock and roll royalty, including Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello, Ringo Starr, Phil Collins, Mark Knopfler, Chrissie Hynde, and The Doobie Brothers. For a full listing of auction items please visit http://www.littlekidsrock.org/events.html.

Current event sponsors include Fender, Hot Topic, Minyanville, and Fliptop. To become a sponsor please call (973) 746-8248.

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 90,000 students at over 1,000 schools in 21 cities nationwide. Little Kids Rock Honorary Board Members include Bonnie Raitt, Slash, Paul Simon, B.B. King, Ziggy Marley, Les Paul and other famous friends in the music industry. More information can be found at: www.littlekidsrock.org and www.littlekidsrock.tv.

About Clarence Clemons

Clarence Clemons, affectionately known worldwide as The Big Man, has captivated audiences for over forty years with his distinguished ability for making his saxophone speak a universal language. For more than three decades Mr. Clemons has lofted Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band to become, as some have deemed it, the greatest rock and roll band in the world. In addition to an ever-lengthening roster of live concert performances and recording projects, his credits include a growing portfolio of dramatic and comedic appearances, for both film and television.

On October 21, Mr. Clemons releases his book, co-authored by his friend, Don Reo, Big Man: Real Life and Tall Tales. This is the first book written by a member of the E Street Band, telling true, unknown stories about the band as well as capturing Mr. Clemons' larger-than-life storyteller persona in a series of hybrid fact-and-fiction stories called "Legends."

   Media Contact:   Lisa Melsted   415-503-1818   The Bateman Group for Little Kids Rock   littlekidsrock@bateman-group.com  

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Source: Little Kids Rock

CONTACT: Lisa Melsted of The Bateman Group, +1-415-503-1818,
littlekidsrock@bateman-group.com, for Little Kids Rock

Web Site: http://www.littlekidsrock.org/
http://www.littlekidsrock.tv/

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Profile: International Entertainment