Playback - Fall 2008 - (Page 27)

Debbie Allen won over the audience with her heartfelt personal testimonial about the value of the arts in her life. “Somehow, we in this country don’t understand the true value of the arts,” she said. “We don’t encourage our kids to look up into the sky and imagine what is possible. The arts do that. They take kids as far as they can see.” Another artist, country singer John Rich, explained why he gave his time to be on the panel during the RNC. “Music and the arts breaks down barriers — race, financial status and cliques and really levels the playing field with kids,” he said. and NAMM Vice Chairman Tom Schmitt of Schmitt Music. “While everyone in the room shared the same passion for music and the arts, and feels the need to create additional funding for the continuation of education in the arts, what is most important is that we actually do something about it,” said Kletti. The two conventions again showed the world what democracy looks and feels Rich said that for like, with all of ages 5–12, making the hype and music available to spectacle we’ve kids is “mandatory,” come to expect not optional. Finally, from national when asked by politics. But Huckabee to provide if you looked his 30-second “Why closely enough, the Arts Matter” you could see message to parents the glimmering and kids, he said, of what could “The future begins become a with eight things: nationwide Do Re Mi Fa So La - Tim Kletti, movement to fuel Ti Do.” Music Go Round this country’s creative workforce of tomorrow by Several NAMM Members were on hand at investing in stronger music the RNC panel, including Fred Bramante of and arts education for its Daddy’s Junky Music; Don Griffin of West students today. LA Music; Tim Kletti of Music Go Round “While everyone in the room shared the same passion for music and the arts, and feels the need to create additional funding for the continuation of education in the arts, what is most important is that we actually do something about it.” NAMM Vice Chairman Tom Schmitt, Laura Schmitt and Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee John Rich of the country group “Big and Rich” at NAMM RNC event FALL 2008 27

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Playback - Fall 2008

Playback - Fall 2008 Contents From the President NAMM Events Music in the News Voices of Our Past, Present and Future: NAMM Oral History Program Celebrates a Major Milestone Commercial Retail Reps in the Field NAMM@AARP New Domestic Members Washington Watch International NAMM Foundation Music Notes Resources Viewpoint

Playback - Fall 2008

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