Two Old Hippies, the parent company of Bedell Guitars, explained, My wife Molly and I want to help reverse the tide of reduced emphasis on music and arts in our public schools. Not because of business, but because of what music has meant in our lives, and what it can mean to our kids today. When we were introduced to the Little Kids Rock project, we saw it as the perfect vehicle.
Founded by David Wish in 2002, Little Kids Rock establishes guitar programs in public schools across the country. The organization supplies a proven class curriculum, trains teachers, and helps secure instruments. “Learning to play a musical instrument can be a transformative experience in students’ lives,” said Wish. “It has the power to inspire the creativity and confidence that are critical to success in school and beyond.”In 2011 alone, 70,000 students were involved in Little Kids Rock music programs in more than 750 public schools. And over the past decade more than 250,000 students have participated in Little Kids Rock music programs.
Late last year, Bedell and Two Old Hippies sponsored a Little Kids Rock “Right to Rock” fund raising event in New York. Guest appearances by Lady Gaga, Stevie and Maureen Van Zandt, and numerous other celebrities generated $300,000 to help expand the program. However, Bedell’s involvement extends beyond simply raising funds.
At Winter NAMM, Bedell Guitars will introduce a program that links local dealers with Little Kids Rock. Participating Bedell guitar dealers will be given the opportunity to donate six free Bedell Education guitars to their local school system, along with the complete Little Kids Rock curriculum and course materials. Bedell will also enable schools with Little Kids Rock programs to purchase guitars from Bedell guitar dealers at attractive prices. Bedell has crafted the program with input from members of iMSO, the Independent Music Store Organization. “We wanted to make sure that this program was a win-win for all our partners,” said Bedell. “We are convinced that we can bring the gift of music making to a broader audience, while cultivating an expanded market for our retail partners.” The company plans to offer up to 5,000 guitars to Little Kids Rock.
Tom Bedell entered the music industry three years ago after an extremely successful career in the fishing tackle business. In 1972, he took over the Berkley Fly company, founded by his father, and built it into Pure Fishing, a $500 million business and the world’s largest manufacturer of fishing rods, reels, bait, and accessories. After selling the business, he decided to return to the guitar industry. “Music was the most important part of my life as a teenager and has been ever since,” he explained. Before joining the family fishing tackle business, he had run several local music stores in his native Spirit Lake, Iowa.
At the upcoming Summer NAMM show Bedell will draw on his connections in the fishing industry to stage a unique fund raiser for Little Kids Rock. In the first annual “Rockin’ And Reelin’” fundraiser, participants will be paired with a professional angler and a musical celebrity in a boat for a day of bass fishing on Old Hickory Lake, outside of Nashville. The event starts with a breakfast at Flippers Bait Shop, prior to a 7 a.m. launch. Following the fishing tournament, a Rockin’ and Reelin’ benefit concert and awards celebration will be held at the Wild Horse Saloon. Bedell commented, “We have already recruited a number of professional anglers and musical celebrities, so the event should be a total blast.”
For more information on Little Kids Rock, and participation in the Rockin’ and Reelin’ Benefit, visit Bedell Guitars at NAMM Booth 1800.
twooldhippies.com
Source
Channel Sponsor
