The House of Blues Music Forward Foundation has announced its first Ambassadors Council, a lineup of music artists pledging to support young musicians.
Among those named to the council are Martina McBride, Chris Janson and Lauren Daigle, alongside fellow artists Benny Blanco, Sofia Carson, Khalid, Julia Michaels, Carlos Santanaand Umphrey’s McGee. Some will mentor younger artists or take on speaking engagements at educational youth workshops. Others might donate funds from ticket sales or offer exclusive music memorabilia for auction.
Music Forward provides free vocational training in the music industry to underserved youth, improving economic opportunity and building a more diverse pipeline of talent for the creative economy. It has impacted over 1 million young lives and invested $25 million in transformational music programs during the last 25 years. One hundred percent of the foundation’s alumni are employed or in school, and 94% regularly leverage skills and knowledge that they’ve gained from Music Forward.
“I am thrilled to join Music Forward’s Ambassadors Council that represents such a wide variety of musical genres,” said McBride. “Breaking into the music business is challenging, and Music Forward’s free programs offer aspiring youth the tools and mentorship opportunities needed to help fulfill their career goals. I am honored to be part of an organization that is committed to offering pathways into the industry I love so much.”
“I grew up knowing that more than anything I wanted to be a musician; but I didn’t have the resources or access for help, so I taught myself how to play,” said Janson. “It makes me realize how blessed I am not only to be able to share my passion with others but to help Music Forward inspire and support kids whose passions lie in their love of music.”
“It’s such an honor to work with a foundation whose mission is to support the passion of kids and young adults trying to navigate their way through the music business,” said Daigle. “For me, I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to do what I’ve always loved; so to be able to help others realize their own dreams, I’m not sure that there’s anything more fulfilling.”
Comments