30 Jul 2009
Guitarist Rich Eckhardt to Meet and Jam with Students
DALLAS—Rich Eckhardt, guitarist to country music star Toby Keith, will visit Seagoville High School, 15920 Seagoville Rd., noon to 1 p.m., Saturday, August 1, as part of the Little Kids Rock (LKR) program initiative to support, enrich and expand fine arts programs in public schools. LKR, a national nonprofit music program, provides free instruments and instruction to under-funded public schools.
Eckhardt will meet, jam with, and field questions from approximately 15-25 elementary through high school students from four Dallas ISD schools participating in the LKR music education program.
These four schools were selected from 79 public schools that make up LKR's Dallas chapter. Since 2008, LKR has trained 87 Dallas public school teachers at its free workshops and donated enough instruments to reach more than 8,000 public school students.
LKR's Dallas chapter is one of 20 nationwide chapters bringing the gift of music to more than 85,000 under-served students since 2002.
Schools participating in the event: Seagoville High School, Seagoville Middle School, George Bannerman Dealey Montessori Academy and Esperanza "Hope" Medrano Elementary School.
For more information on LKR, visit the Web site at www.littlekidsrock.org.
Rich Eckhardt is one of the most sought after guitarists in music today. His ability to cover multiple styles has put him on stage with singers ranging from Steven Tyler of Aerosmith to Shania Twain and Willie Nelson.
Shortly after moving to Nashville, Tennessee in 1989, his first gig was on the stage of the world famous Grand Ol' Opry. From there, Rich began a steady run of touring and recording with artists including John Berry, Becky Hobbs, Rodney Atkins, Steve Azar, Eddy Raven, Mel McDaniel, Blake Shelton and Toby Keith.
"We believe that every student can perform at or above grade level and graduate college and workforce ready to compete in the global economy" is the first core belief adopted by the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees.
For a complete list of core beliefs, visit the Web site at http://www.dallasisd.org/about/vision.htm.