Blues in the News

Legendary Blues musician Kenny Neal performed at the Strand Center Theater Saturday, August 11th and gave away guitars to young musicians from the North Country.

Our own Mountain Lake Journal Host Thom Hallock was the guest auctioneer who helped raise about $2,500 for the Kids Rock the Nation organization, which donates guitars to local schools and children.

Superstar blues rockers George Thorogood and Ronnie Earl both donated autographed guitars that were auctioned off during Kenny Neal’s performance.
Kids Rock the Nation, founded by Anthony Wild, gifts guitars to children between the ages of 9 and 16 to foster growing talent with the instruments that enable them to “rock on.” Spokesperson Kenny Neal (a two-time Grammy nominated artist and the 2017 Blues Music Award winner for Best Contemporary Male Artist as well as Best Contemporary Blues Album) comes from a historic musical family in Baton Rouge, where instruments were picked up at an early age. Neal realizes what a profound effect that learning music at a young age can be, especially to children that are underprivileged, socially changing and empowering and donates part of his concerts and time to help the cause.

To keep music alive, children must put away screens and pick up musical instruments. With the creative process of playing music comes self-esteem, focus and the foundations of that musical bond. But not every kid can own a musical instrument, and that where the not-for-profit, Kids Rock the Nation organization, comes in.

Read more about Kids Rock the Nation in Elmore Magazine:

Beat the heat, help kids

Check out this story we did about the event organizers of Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz at another of their blues concerts earlier this summer.