In an effort to spotlight the issues that affect the creative community and the importance of music education, Grammys Rock the Conventions will bring live music to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions with star-studded events benefiting the Grammy Foundation.
Three-time Grammy-nominated rockers Daughtry and Everclear, and chart-topping alternative/hip-hop group the Flobots, will perform an up-close-and-personal acoustic evening in Denver, CO, at the Democratic National Convention on August 26.
On September 2, during the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, MN, the Recording Academy will host “The Songwriters Circle: The Songs We Love,” an intimate event that includes performances of hit songs by the songwriters who created them. Participating artists include Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James (“Jesus, Take The Wheel” by Carrie Underwood and “Blessed” by Martina McBride) and up-and-coming singer-songwriter Greg Laswell (“What A Day” and “Sing, Theresa Says”). Additional songwriters are to be announced.
In addition to elected officials, among the luminaries joining these artists will be four-time Grammy winner and Recording Academy Chair Jimmy Jam and Recording Academy President/CEO and Grammy Foundation President Neil Portnow. Both nonpartisan events will benefit the Grammy Foundation, a charitable arm of the Recording Academy that works to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage.
“This election year represents one of the most significant in political history, making it even more important for The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation to bring an increased awareness of music issues to the policy makers from both parties at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions,” said Portnow in a statement . “With Grammys Rock The Conventions, we hope to educate party leaders about the critical role of music and arts education. Regardless of one’s political views, it’s clear that when children have music in their lives, we all win.”
