2023 marks Music Forward’s 30th Anniversary! We are celebrating 30 years of stellar performances, celebrity appearances, name changes, and unbeatable opportunities all with the goal of creating a pathway for diverse voices to be empowered through music.
Get a snapshot of some of our favorite moments with our interactive timeline and click through to explore old photos, videos, and news stories.
February 8, 1993
International House of Blues Foundation Incorporates
House of Blues formalizes its nonprofit. The goal being to “Promote multicultural values of diversity and racial harmony through art and music”
1993
Summer 1993
Inaugural Blues Ambassador Scholarship
International House of Blues Foundation awards it’s first Blues Ambassador Scholarship, $1,000 to a student dedicated to the blues.
June 21, 1994
Cookin’ Up the Blues Cookbook with Tabasco
IHOBF teams up with Tabasco and Blues icons to create a cookbook! All proceeds going to the charity.
1994
July 30, 1994
5,000 Boston Participants
International House of Blues Foundation has officially reached 5,000 students since opening its doors.
January 18, 1995
1st Annual “Spirit of the Dream” Tribute
IHOBF hosts its 1st Annual “Spirit of the Dream” Tribute in honor of Martin Luther King Jr, and welcoming in many high profile guests.
1995
March 28, 1995
Lil Richard performs at Blues SchoolHouse National Simulcast
Streamed across the country via satellite, Lil’ Richard performs and speaks to hundreds of young people.
January 15, 1996
The “Spirit of the Dream” Award
The 2nd Annual “Spirit of the Dream” Tribute sees the inception of the “Spirit of the Dream” Award. Awardees included: Maxine Waters, Stevie Wonder, & Jack Healey.
1996
July 1996
IHOBF teams up with Center for Study of Southern Culture to create the HOB Teacher Institute
The HOB Teacher Institute hosts 30 teachers from Los Angeles, Boston, Oxford, and more for a week long Blues education intensive.
May 3-6, 1997
The Blues Brothers Smokin’ Tees Celebrity Golf Classic
The House of Blues hosts a 3 day celebrity golf tournament in Myrtle Beach supporting IHOBF and others.
1997
October 17, 1997
45,000 Blues SchoolHouse Students Reached
Blues SchoolHouse officially reaches 45,000 students since its inception. Tracing the history of Blues from its roots in Africa to its influence on modern genres.
1999
Make an Impression Launches
Make an Impression donated guitars and drums to schools and supported music education. Recitals showcased the impact in House of Blues’s across the country.
1999
2006
July 6, 2006
Live Nation Buys House of Blues
Live Nation purchases House of Blues and takes on the foundation with it!
2010
Arts – Drawing Us Together Launches
From murals, to quilts, to shoe shrines, Drawing Us Together encouraged young people to express themselves and gave them outlets to do so.
2010
2012
2012
Phoebe Bridgers wins Bringing Down the House
Our stages have been graced by many amazing acts including Phoebe Bridgers who was only at the beginning of her music career.
2013
Launch of Give Music
Give Music put instruments directly into the hands of young people so they had unrestricted access to nurturing their passion.
2013
October 7, 2014
Action for the Arts Gives $220k in Support of Music Programs
Action for the Arts gives out $220k across 63 schools and organizations to support music & arts programs
2014
2014
Name changes to House of Blues Music Forward Foundation
After a lot of thought, iterations, and research the International House of Blues Foundation changes its name to HOB Music Forward Foundation
2015
April 20, 2015
Music Forward Sunset Strip Half
MFF becomes the founding charity partner for The Sunset Strip Half Marathon & 5K.
August 16, 2017
All Access with Khalid
Khalid welcomes students behind the scenes of one of his shows. The program consisted of a conversation about his music journey and an exclusive performance.
2017
2019
August 20, 2019
Music Forward Ambassadors Announced
A group of driven performers and artists commit to furthering Music Forward’s mission. Including; Martina McBride, Julia Michaels, & others!
March 2020
Music Forward Goes Virtual & Global
With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic Music Forward takes their programs online. Committed to the same high quality programming being online allows HOBMFF to find a global audience.
2020
September 30, 2021
1st Virtual All Access Fest
MFF takes its music industry career fair virtual allowing nearly a thousand young people across 30 countries to attend the 28 panels featuring 100 Industry Pros
2021
June 29, 2021
Apple Creative Studios
40 young artists joined local music and filmmaking legends to hone their crafts as musicians, producers, and singer-songwriters.
Spring 2022
LAUSD Masterclasses with United Talent Agency
MFF and UTA join forces for a multi-week masterclass series with UTA professionals sharing insights and career pathway advice for LAUSD students.
2022
2022
BMG Internship & Mentorship Program
BMG and MFF teamed up to provide 31 paid internships across 3 semesters and a mentorship program for young people across the country.
February 2023
Apple Racial Equity and Justice Initiative Grant
In celebration of Black History Month, Apple awards a generous grant to MFF for being focused on uplifting Black and Brown by unlocking creative potential.
2023
2023
Governors Ball Scholarship
Music Forward added its 7th scholarship to its roster in partnership with Gov Ball. $10,000 to a New York City native pursuing a degree in live entertainment.