The Inaugural Music Forward Brunch Honored Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever, The World Tour, Music Executive Julian Petty, Broccoli City Festival, Educator Allison Frenzel and House Of Blues
Winners at The Inaugural Music Forward Golf Classic Include Citizens Bank, Wasserman Foundation and the Country Club Adjacent Podcast
October 3, 2023 – Los Angeles, CA – Music Forward Foundation – the national nonprofit arm of Live Nation that transforms young lives, inspires careers, and champions a more inclusive music industry – celebrated 30 years of impacting music industry young creatives with two Los Angeles-area special fundraising events. The inaugural Music Forward Brunch at the iconic Hollywood Bowl on Sunday, October 1st honored music industry change makers who are doing amazing work beyond the stage and the inaugural Golf Classic at the exclusive El Caballero Country Club on Monday, October 2nd welcomed avid and occasional golfers on the green to golf for a cause. Together the events raised $350K.
Music Forward Foundation Executive Director Nurit Smith shares, “This year already we’ve reached 22,000 young people across 46 states and 49 countries. Our impact is real and broad and deep. We do this through workshops, career fairs, scholarships, classroom curriculum, internships, performance opportunities, grants, and apprenticeships. Youth walk out of our programs with the tools, resources, and the network to turn their passion for music into a lifelong profession. Music Forward Foundation is thrilled to celebrate 30 years, and we look forward to 30 more, and far beyond!”
(L-R) MFF Executive Director Nurit Smith with alumni Leslie Montoya, Despues Green, Latisha Stephens, and MFF Partnerships Manager Oswaldo Navarro at Sunday’s Inaugural Brunch.
The Music Forward Brunch opened with a performance by young Music Forward Foundation alum singer-songwriter Hannah Abrahim, and it closed with a rousing performance by Kori Withers of her father’s hits “Just The Two of Us,” “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,’ while KCRW radio host Raul Campos deejayed throughout. Celebrity attendees included rapper Vince Staples, rapper/producer Slick Rick, singer-songwriter Estelle, and actress/activist Charlotte Ross.
Brunch honorees were Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever, The World Tour, whose relentless commitment to sustainability while on the road is revolutionizing the music and touring industry was accepted by Billie’s mother, Maggie Baird. The Executive Honoree Julian Petty, EVP, Head of Business and Legal Affairs, Warner, was presented his award by presenting sponsor American Express’ Tatia Adams Fox and Grammy Award-winning artist Estelle in recognition of his visionary leadership that led to the establishment of the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music and Entertainment Business at Howard University, designed to pave the way for the next generation of Black executives in music. Actor J. Alphonse Nicholson presented Festival Honoree Broccoli City Festival to co-founder Brandon McEachern, who helped create a festival that not only provides a stage for the hottest acts but also their social action campaign: The Power of One, that encourages youth to perform one million positive actions. Allison Frenzel, Education Programs Specialist, California Dept. of Education was the Educator Honoree, for her work helping to lift barriers and carve pathways for young people across California to careers in arts, media and entertainment. And with the mottos of “Unity in Diversity” and “Help Ever. Hurt Never,” House of Blues was the Venue Honoree. House of Blues is more than a venue; it’s a movement, a sanctuary of music, and the foundation of Music Forward’s beginning as the International House of Blues Foundation in 1993. Its legacy will forever shine as a testament to the power of diversity and music. Music Forward Foundation Executive Director Nurit Smith was surprised with a special certificate proclamation from the County of Los Angles marking the occasion of the Music Forward Foundation’s 30th anniversary.
Golfers Gather on the Green before the First Annual Music Forward Golf Tournament
The Music Forward Golf Classic boasted performances by Music Forward Foundation young alum, sisters Neska Rose (vocals/guitar) and Libi Rose (piano), who kickstarted the day with original songs as participants entered El Caballero Country Club and young alum singer/songwriter Reina Macias performed a set to close out the evening. Celebrity players included musician Mod Sun, actor/producer Billy Magnussen, actors Josh Henderson, Rob Huebel, John O’Hurley, Greg Tarzan Davis, Michael Evans Behling, Nick Creegan, Carlos Bernard, Scott Benzing, comedians Alex Thomas, Blake Webber, Chris Spencer, Buddy Lewis, Griff Pippin, Jake Adams, Mark Smalls and Hunter March, artist/entrepreneur Chris Ruediger, former athletes Kenyon Martin, Byron Camberlain, and Kenny Lofton, and TV personalities Wells Adams and Jamal Munnerlyn. Golf Winners included Citizens Bank, Wasserman Foundation, and the Country Club Adjacent Podcast.
About Music Forward Foundation:
Music Forward Foundation is a national nonprofit in the Live Nation family that bridges opportunities for the music community to become more innovative and inclusive by kick-starting music and live entertainment careers for the next generation through workshops, panels, and performances that connect passions to professions. Focusing on young people aged 13-24 from under-represented communities, the organization provides access to an unsurpassed nationwide network of music and live entertainment industry insiders to redefine what is possible for tomorrow’s innovators and leaders.
Over the past 30 years, Music Forward Foundation has successfully realized its mission to transform young lives, inspire careers, and champion a more inclusive music industry. To date, the organization has served over one million young people and provided more than $42 million in scholarships, workforce opportunities, relief funds, and more. Each year, the organization activates its significant network to impact more than 20,000 youth nationwide.
Acclaimed artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Trombone Shorty and Alexander Andre are past program participants and grant recipients. While performers such as Kahlid, Sophia Carson, Lauren Diagle, Martina McBride, Carlos Santana, and Julia Michaels have served as Ambassadors for Music Forward.
https://musicforwardfoundation.org/For more information contact: Maxie Solters / msolters@solters.com