Music Empowers Foundation Launches Spring Fundraiser - Kris Allen, Steven Van Zandt, And Others Join Cause

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Mar 06, 2012, 01:11 ET

NEW YORK, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Music Empowers Foundation announced today the launch of its latest online fundraiser, "Music Matters." With a goal of raising $50,000, Music Empowers hopes to continue its mission of helping to bring innovative music education programs to children in underserved communities across the country. The fundraiser kicked off March 1 and will run throughout Music in our Schools Month, ending at midnight on March 31.

Music Empowers is calling upon some of its most ardent supporters - American Idol winner and platinum recording artist, Kris Allen, and E-Street band guitarist and star of HBO's The Sopranos, Steven Van Zandt - to help spread the word about Music Matters. They tell us why "music [education] matters" to them, and why it should to everyone, in video vignettes to be aired on the Music Matters giving page as well as the Music Empowers Facebook page.

As Kris Allen states, "To me, music education is vital to every kid's development, and it can change their lives. I know that if I hadn't had access to music programs in school that I wouldn't be where I am today." Similarly, Charles Best, Founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org maintains that "Music education is part of a complete education. It helps students improve in their studies and develop their confidence and self-esteem."

To add even more excitement, the fundraiser will feature an online auction of high-profile music items such as autographed guitars from Kris Allen, Elvis Costello, Chris Daughtry, and members of the band Daughtry, a "Rocket Man – Number Ones" CD set signed by Elton John, and autographed drum sticks from Neil Peart of Rush.

The Foundation also announced as a special incentive for early donors, the first 200 people to donate $50 or more would receive a special DonorsChoose.org gift card from Music Empowers and Kris Allen.

According to Steven Van Zandt, "the government is for the most part not [providing for music education] so we have to do it." Through the charitable giving of Music Empowers, children will have the chance to create and succeed, and as Van Zandt says, "experience the wonderful gift of music."

To make a donation, please visit the Music Matters custom giving page at http://musicempowersfoundation.com/music-matters.html.

About Music Empowers

Music Empowers Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit that provides financial support to nonprofits that offer music education programs to communities with limited or nonexistent programs. Since its inception in early 2010, it has awarded nearly half a million dollars in grants to organizations such as The Dr. Phil Foundation, Little Kids Rock, Berklee City Music, Artists Corps of America, The Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium, and DonorsChoose.org. For more information on Music Empowers please go to www.musicempowersfoundation.org, become a fan on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

About Kris Allen

Since winning American Idol in 2009 Kris Allen has become a household name. After releasing his self-titled debut album in 2009 on 19 Recordings/Jive Records, Kris toured the U.S. opening for Keith Urban, Maroon 5, the Barenaked Ladies, and Lifehouse, as well as headlining his own club tour. His first single "Live Like We're Dying" has sold over 1.7 million copies to date. Kris currently is finishing his second album, which will be released later in 2012. For more information, go to www.krisallenofficial.com.

About DonorsChoose.org

Founded in 2000, DonorsChoose.org (www.donorschoose.org) is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America post requests, and individuals can give directly to ones that inspire them. To date, 222,000 public and charter school teachers have used DonorsChoose.org to secure $108 million in books, art supplies, technology and other resources that their students need to learn.

About Steven Van Zandt

Steven Van Zandt is a musician, songwriter, performer, arranger, record producer, actor, writer, human rights activist, and international radio DJ. He is a founding member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and an original principal cast member of The Sopranos. Steven's current projects include starring, writing, producing and scoring "Lilyhammer", the first original programming for Netflix. He continues to host his internationally syndicated Rock and Roll radio show, Little Steven's Underground Garage (http://www.undergroundgarage.com). He will be touring Europe and North America with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Steven also has founded the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation (http://www.rockandrollforever.org) dedicated to the development, preservation, dissemination, and continuing support of Rock and Roll, past, present and future.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Music Empowers Foundation