Giving Opens The Way For Receiving…. Sing Sing Prison, Warwick Valley High School & Keb’ Mo’
Wednesday, November 3, 2009::
Tuesday, October 6th –Sing Sing Correctional Facility, Ossining, NY
Sing Sing Correctional Facility inmates enthusiastically accept
their musical gear courtesy of Road Recovery and Jail Guitar Doors
Because of the profound affect of Road Recovery’s 2009 Honoree Award, Wayne Kramer and Friends ‘Rock The Big House’ outreach event at Sing Sing Correctional Facility on Saturday, May 2nd, Road Recovery and Sing Sing decided to join efforts with *Jail Guitar Doors and provide inmate musicians serving time at the maximum security prison with needed music gear.
Blues singer/Road Recovery staff member Tommy Dudley (right)
throws down with Sing Sings' UHB (unofficial house band)
The resilient Wayne Kramer, who recently was appointed by fellow musician/activist Billy Bragg, to head-up the USA chapter of Bragg’s organization Jail Guitar Doors, responded to Road Recovery’s call by getting busy and donating one of his own vintage guitar amps and acquiring some new guitars from Tom Morello (Street Sweeper Social Club) and shipped boxes to Road Recovery’s New York City headquarters.
(L-R) Sing Sing Correctional Facility staff, Education Supervisor - Olga Marchese & Dr. Leslie Malin,
Assistant Deputy Superintendent ‘Rock-It" with Wayne Kramer & Tom Morello's donated gear!
“Dear Road Recovery…I want to thank you on behalf of the staff and inmates of Sing Sing Correctional facility for your efforts for the Unofficial Hous Band (UHB) and for our fledgling music program. As we do not have the funds to provide the inmates with any instruments, the donated amplifier from Wayne Kramer and guitars from Tom Morello are essential to the expansion of our music program. More importantly, I know that all the inmates here are humbled and honored that somebody on the outside cares about them and is supporting their efforts to transform their lives. We believe, as does Road Recovery that music is an important tool that can be utilized in dealing with issues of recovery and incarceration.”– Dr. Leslie Malin, Assistant Deputy Superintendent - Sing Sing Correctional Facility
*Jail Guitar Doors is an independent initiative which aims to provide instruments to those who are using music as a means of achieving the rehabilitation of prison inmates. Founded by Billy Bragg, it takes its name from the b-side of the Clash’s 1978 single ‘Clash City Rockers’. For more information, please visit: www.jailguitardoors.org.uk/
Friday, October 16th – Warwick Valley High School, Warwick, NY
Road Recovery's house band, Crazy James, mixes it up
with Warwick Valley High School students
“This year began our third year working with Road Recovery to bring outreach events to Warwick Valley High School. Once again, as in the past, over 150 students crowded into our media center to listen to songs and to hear the stories shared by Crazy James band members (Road Recovery’s youth house band).
Our students recorded quotes that struck a chord with them, and these words will now be used to frame the discussion of literature in English classes. The product of these curricular activities will be shared with parents at a community event this December, and with the larger school community at a full concert event in May.
Rich Linkens (3rd from left) feels the impact
with Crazy James and Road Recovery staff
As in years past, the goal is to have as many as 400 students participate in these events, either as organizers or as audience members. Either way, the message is crystal clear. As the Irish poet Yeats wrote, "Education is not the filling of a pail with water, but the lighting of a fire." For the past three years, the teens of Road Recovery have supplied the spark to light the fire. Warwick students have used the light of this fire to help see their path through the darkness that characterizes a life controlled by alcohol and drug abuse. Young people helping young people. Is there anything better than that?” – Richard Linkens, Director of English, Social Studies, Academic Intervention Services, Warwick Valley Central School District, Warwick, NY
Wednesday, October 21st – KEB’ MO’ - Nokia Theatre, Times Square, NYC
Blues legend, Keb’ Mo’ together with his long time friend and sound engineer, John Schirmer hosted another Road Recovery Master Class for Road Recovery participants and staff during their NYC tour stop at Nokia Theatre. During sound check, Road Recovery’s young participants were given a tutorial by Keb’ Mo’ for getting sounds out of his gear. Afterwards, Mr. Schirmer offered Road Recovery youth a chance to sit behind the sound board he uses nightly for a pre-show test drive.
Road Recovery participant, Amanda, test drives Keb' Mo's guitar and gear
Keb' Mo' demonstrates technical 'licks' and sounds from his arsenal
of guitars and effects on stage at the Nokia Theater, NYC
A pre-show huddle allowed Road Recovery’s young crew the opportunity to ask questions and discover that the correlation between getting the right sound for the band and the audience is like striving toward living a balanced life. Keb’ Mo’ and John Schirmer described how the goal for each show is to get rid of all the noise and glitches in the mix for true clarity to shine through, thus allowing the band and audience to connect. Schirmer and Keb’ Mo’ further shared that one should surround yourself with only positive like-minded people and you’ll feel and see the difference in your own life and those around you.
John Schirmer (center), engineer wizard, finds the right mix
with Road Recovery participants and staff during Keb' Mo's sound check
KISS & Their Commander Support Road Recovery’s Youth! KISS ‘Alive 35’ Tour - Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
Monday, October 12, 2009:
KISS with Road Recovery participants and Staff backstage before taking the stage for another classic performance
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher
KISS manager - Doc McGhee, led the charge in support of Road Recovery’s youth by orchestrating a pre-show Master Class backstage with KISS before the band went to battle in the “City of Brotherly Love”.
Road Recovery participants feeling the love & support from the KISS camp, showing off their ALL ACCESS KISS passes
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher
Doc McGhee, whose experience as an artist manager has guided the careers of such world renowned
artists as BonJovi, Mötley Crüe, Skid Row, Scorpions, Hootie & the Blowfish, Ted Nugent, and KISS, seized the opportunity to speak candidly with Road Recovery's youth about the personal and
professional crossroads he and his bands have faced head-on in order to find a better way of life.
Kiss Manager, Doc McGhee (second from left) shares his life story, and insight with Road Recovery youth participants
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher
“Face it, everything you learned back then while you were crazy was wrong. It's all about finding support! Supporting each other is absolutely the only way you get through this stuff. You're lucky, you’re young and you’ll bounce back. Let go of the past, be honest and try and figure out did you really have fun doing it? Surround yourself with good positive people (old and young). Remember; by sticking together you have more power than those struggling with addiction, especially those who only want to bring you down!! I commend you guys for being here and for Road Recovery's effort in providing young people with the support they need.” – Doc McGhee
KISS members, all dressed up, speak with Road Recovery young adults backstage before the show.
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher
“Everybody gets off track….what’s most important is that you get back on, and with all the support from people involved with Road Recovery there’s a brighter day ahead. It’s great you guys found a way to turn things around! Hat’s off to you all.” – Paul Stanley, KISS
KISS take the stage at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia shortly after meeting with Road Recovery youth participants backstage.
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher
Gene Simmons, as The Demon
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher
Road Recovery’s Master Class with Doc McGhee and KISS was made possible by the relentless efforts and gracious support of: Evan Seinfeld (Biohazard), the McGhee Entertainment crew - sNAKE, Nathan Gregory, Melissa Madden, and KISS Tour Manager – Mike Amato. THANK YOU!!
MOBY’s Special Mix for Road Recovery Teens!
Friday September 25, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009: MOBY @ The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
While on tour delivering another ‘Sold Out’ hometown performance, MOBY (DJ, singer-songwriter and musician) and friend Mark Boquist (drummer & Road Recovery staff) organized a sound check *Road Recovery Master Class for a group of teens who participate in the non-profits weekly Performance Workshops Program.
Fielding an unending stream of questions from the group of inquisitive youth, some of which left him speechless, MOBY shared his life history and career struggles that led him through the artistic experience of touring and recording for more than twenty years.
“I’ve learned the key is communication, I used to hold on to my emotions and thoughts, and I felt shameful. The more I talk to other people (like this) about what’s going on with me I realize we’re all the same. I feel more comfortable now…before I wanted everyone to look (at me), but not too close.”
“I kept living life in half measures and got the same results – misery and pain. I had to change me for myself. Now it’s ok to be more honest as a person and as a performer. When I play a show, if it doesn’t work out, it’s ok. I’ve stripped away the desperation. I used to feel I had to be my best…had to be perfect (or else). I learned the skills to remove the pressure, its ok then, and I can enjoy myself.”
“These days, I need to be somehow in service for the people I play for. When we are in service, we are part of a plan we may not be aware of. Road Recovery is great ‘service’. By you (Road Recovery) being here, you’re benefiting me a lot. It’s always reciprocal.”
Moby welcomes Road Recovery Master Class Participants @ NY’s The Fillmore/Irving Plaza venue.
Moby interacting with Road Recovery young adults & staff backstage in his dressing room during his Master Class.
“I’m constantly reminding myself of where complacency leads me…I turn into an asshole. I become a fuck-up & miserable. I’m grateful I’m aware of who I am…at least I know where I stand”
“Those experiences keep my complacency in-check. In the past, I would give up control of myself to something or someone…in order to get instant gratification. Now, I apply myself, become action-oriented, and the good always comes around…it’s a long-term thing, and it lasts longer, not something quick and immediate.”
Road Recovery is grateful to MOBY, Joe Rogers, the staff and security of The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza and Mark Boquist for showing up and doing service for Road Recovery and our kids!
Moby gathers with Road Recovery’s program
participants after his 45 minute Master Class.
*Road Recovery's Master Class Series provides teens and young adults access, insight and understanding to life opportunities and life experiences. Road Recovery’s Master Class Series brings together professionals from the entertainment industry whose lives have been touched by addiction and other adversities and now wish to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Road Recovery’s Master Class Series is an interactive discussion and exchange between Road Recovery music industry supporters and young adults participating in Road Recovery’s Master Class.
Road Recovery Summer ’09 Recap! State of New York Department of Correctional Services Award, Legendary Producer – Phil Ramone Gives Back, Graham School Program ‘New’ Recording Release, & In-Kind Support from Vic Firth, Gibson & Baldwin Pianos
Tuesday, September 8, 2009 ::
July 8, 2009: State of New York Department of Correctional Services Road Recovery Award Ceremony at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, Ossining, NY
(L-R, rear) James Purdy, Deputy Superintendent for Programs, Dr. Lesley Malin, Assistant Deputy Superintendent, Scott Bienenfeld, M.D. - Road Recovery Executive Board, (L-R, front) Gene Bowen, Road Recovery, Philip Heath, Superintendent, Sing Sing Correctional Facility.
"The State of New York Department of Correctional Services, and the staff and inmates of Sing Sing Correctional Facility are honored to present Road Recovery with the Certificate of Appreciation for their outreach concert event on May 2, 2009 and for bringing a message of hope and recovery to all of us. Road Recovery's outreach concert event has had a significant and long lasting positive effect on those who participated. We look forward with great anticipation to our proposed continuing partnership with Road Recovery. Together, through music as a medium, we can continue to uplift, inspire, and encourage those in our population who are working every day to transform their lives. " - Dr. Lesley Malin, Assistant Deputy Superintendent Sing Sing Correctional Facility
August 24, 2009: Phil Ramone, Master Music Maker – Gives Back Via Road Recovery Master Class Series.
Phil Ramone (far left) enjoying the company of
Road Recovery staff , participants, & Major Who Media staff
Grammy/Emmy Award music producer, musician, and electronics wizard – Phil Ramone showed up for a Road Recovery Master Class at the non-profit's program site on August 24th by invitation of Sheldon Steiger, James Walsh & Jeremy Sklarsky – Major Who Media. Mr. Ramone's career of over 40 years as a music producer has shaped the American musical landscape of such icons including: Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, BB King, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra, and Luciano Pavarotti, to name a few.
Phil Ramone engaging with Road Recovery participants
Driven by his relentless passion as an advocate for our youth, Phil Ramone freely shared his life and professional experiences, trials and celebrations. Mr. Ramone posed questions to the young Road Recovery participants about their lives, explored the musical process for more than three hours, and provided commentary on Crazy James music-in-progress from the studio control room. Everyone in attendance was profoundly moved by his willingness to give and take old and new ideas in hopes of learning something from all the young adult participants. View a video clip segment of Phil Ramone's Road Recovery Master Class below...
Phil Ramone (center) together with Road Recovery &
Major Who Media Staff after a impactful Road Recovery Master Class
“Road Recovery touches my heart. I knew I couldn't prepare anything for this...it's critically nice to walk in here and think, someone actually will care. Road Recovery’s youth have found a centered point in their lives to be together in this recovery because there is a result, there's a fruit, there's a tree. They’re all playing their music, switching instruments...that’s brilliant. It helps all of us that you've succeed already and leaves me to understand that there's a bigger purpose with Road Recovery. This is a very healthy expression. I think it's a miracle that WE have each other...that YOU have each other. It's great to see and it's great for me to emotionally take it on.” – Phil Ramone, music producer
Road Recovery’ Graham School Performance Workshops Program Yields EP Release!
Teen participants enrolled in Road Recovery’sPerformance Workshops Program at the Graham School were invited to record two original songs during a marathon 4-day lock-out session (July 6-9th) guided by their Road Recovery mentors, Major Who Media/Threshold Music producers and engineers (Engineered and Mixed by: Jeremy Sklarsky, Mastered by Fred Kevorkian) and supported by Graham School staff. This recording opportunity was made possible through the financial commitment of Graham-Windham Services. An official Fall 2009 release date of September 17th is slated.
Graham School Road Recovery participants, and staff,
live in
the studio with Major Who Media/Threshold Music Studios staff
Vic Firth, Gibson & Baldwin Pianos – Continue to Support Road Recovery
Throughout the Summer of 2009, Road Recovery’s Performance Workshops Program received immense in-kind support of drum supplies from Vic Firth, and two pianos (Baldwin 6000 – Vertical, Baldwin SF10 – 7’ Artist Grand) from Gibson & Baldwin Pianos!
Road Recovery Staff, Owen Comaskey & Charles McTavish tickle the keys on the new Baldwin 6000 – Vertical
Road Recovery Staff & Participants dig into donated VicFirth treasures.
Road Recovery is grateful to Vic Firth and Gibson & Baldwin Pianos for their continued generosity and life saving support for our kids! see How you can help...Click HELP US...
Road Recovery Founder, Gene Bowen together with long time
friend and supporter, Gibson/Baldwin – Entertainment Relations - Shanon Chaiken
Vic Firth- THE MAN- Himself
“Vic Firth Inc. is proud to endorse Road Recovery and supports their non-profit cause in helping youth overcome addiction and other adversities!” – Ben Davies, Artist Relations – Vic Firth Inc.
In The Summertime, Road Recovery Gets Busy, hanging with Tom Morello, Jane’s Addiction, NIN, Street Sweeper, Good Morning America ‘live’ with Miggs, Studio Recording, & Watching the Mets Win!
Nine Inch Nails/Jane’s Addiction/Street Sweeper Social Club Date/Venue: Sunday, June 7, 2009 at the Nikon Theater at Jones Beach.
As guests of guitarist/social activist Tom Morello(formerly of Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman) of his new band Street Sweeper Social Club (SSSC), select Road Recovery youth participants gained ‘all access’ backstage for the Jane’s Addiction / Nine Inch Nails / SSSC summer tour date stopping in Jones Beach, New York. Morello spent ‘quality time’ for Road Recovery backstage, then granted his guests a side-stage view for NIN followed by an historic performance by the reformed original line-up of Jane’s Addiction (aka Juanos Addiction).
“I love it and these guys are wonderful. It’s NOT doing charity, they’re my friends and we’re just hanging & having a good time”. - Tom Morello
Tom Morello hangs backstage with Road Recovery
participants and Jack Bookbinder (Left) photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher
Street Sweeper Social Club ‘Release Party’ Date/Venue:Tuesday, June 16 at the Blender Theater in Gramercy, New York City
Yet again, Tom Morello provided complimentary concert tickets and after-show access to a young group of Road Recovery participants and staff to experience up-close SSSC performing their CD release party supporting their self-titled Warner Bros Records release. At the after-show party, several members of the ‘Social Club’ including Morello, drummer Eric Gardner, guitarist Carl Restivo and vocalist Boots Riley spent time with Road Recovery, posed for photos, and reminisced about the historic May 1st benefit concert at the Nokia Theater honoring Wayne Kramer.
SSSC drummer Eric Gardner (left) and guitarist Carl Restivo (right) hang out with Road Recovery participants and staff after performing on stage for their CD release party/concert -- photo credit: Tracy Ketcher
Street Sweeper Social Club (SSSC) - On Stage -- photo credit: Tracy Ketcher
MajorWho Media/Threshold Music Studios: Teen participants enrolled in Road Recovery’sPerformance Workshops Program at the *Graham School were invited to record two original songs during a marathon 4-day lock-out session (July 6-9th) guided by their Road Recovery mentors, MajorWho Media/Threshold Music Studio producers and engineers and supported by Graham School staff. This recording opportunity was made possible through the financial commitment of Graham-Windham Services. A Fall 2009 release is scheduled.
Graham School Road Recovery participants, and staff,
live in the studio with MajorWho Media/Threshold Music Studios staff
“It was an amazing experience to think I was in a studio recording our music! Although we had some difficulties, we found we could overcome them by helping each other out! – Eddie (vocals)
“Regardless of what other people may think of me, I can be successful and make it, doing something I love, like music. To hear my rap songs recorded was extraordinary, I appreciate every moment of this experience.” - Morrell (rap)
Miggs on Good Morning America TV show Date/Location:Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at ABC Studios for Good Morning America,
New York City
Don Miggs and manager Rick Clair invited a young group of Road Recovery participants to attend a special early morning taping of the band Miggs performing for the Good Morning America TV show that aired on Monday, July 13 at 8:00 AM-EDT. IN CASE you missed it on TV, view selected songs of the GMA Miggs performance and try to spot out Road Recovery participants in the crowd. SONGS: Perfect I Believe
Road Recovery was treated to attend the national television taping with a side-stage view of Miggs (who have performed at the 2008-2009 Road Recovery’s annual benefit concerts at the Nokia Theater) plus a special tour of both the GMA studio and control room.
Don Miggs, of Miggs, welcomes
Road Recovery participants while filming for GMA
VIP Tickets for NY Mets vs. LA Dodgers baseball game Date/Location: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at Citi Field, Flushing, New York
Thanks to Road Recovery executive board member Scott Einiger, Esq. and the Law Firm of Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Greenberg, Formato & Einiger, LLP, a group from Road Recovery were treated to VIP tickets to see the New York Mets. vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers at the brand new Citi Field. Highlights included Excelsior Level tickets behind home plate, access to the exclusive Caesars Club, and a home run by the unsuspended Manny Ramirez.
Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder with creative staff Mark Boquist and
Keeping It Real participants Steph B. and David W.
pose from their VIP perch
with the new Citi Field scoreboard in the background showing the Mets ahead of ‘dem bums’.
Road Recovery’s Program Yields 235 Participants & Reaches 3,000 + Youth Via Outreach Events!
THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2009 ::
Road Recovery’s Performance Workshops Program provides at risk youth, hands-on mentorship training, peer-support networking, and “all access” to real-life opportunities. With support from independent mental health specialists, Road Recovery brings together entertainment industry professionals who have confronted similar life crises who now wish to share their experience and knowledge by collaborating with young people to create and present live-concert events.
Road Recovery’s Performance Workshops Program empowers young people of all backgrounds to face their struggles and helps them develop comprehensive life skills guided by professionals and supported by a community of like-minded peers.
Road Recovery’s Performance Workshops Program report: January – May 2009
235 program participants (6-25 years of age)
3,000 + plus youth impacted through Road Recovery Performance Workshops Program outreach events.
Program Location: Henry Ittleson Center, Riverdale, The Bronx, NY:
Henry Ittleson Center is a day-treatment program for severely emotionally disturbed children, ages 5 to 13, who are able to live at home or in a community residence, but require therapeutic and special educational services. “Our children have been working with Road Recovery and their staff for the past 6 years. I cannot begin to express the benefits our children have received from their experiences with this program. The children at Ittleson Center, a program of the Jewish Board, have experienced many traumas in their young lives, and Road Recovery has shown them the healing experience of being able to express themselves through music and dance. With the assistance of the caring and supportive staff of these music professionals, our children have been able to better see their potential, as well as learn that there’s hope that we all can overcome obstacles in our lives.” - Kathleen Forte, MA, Director - RTFs & Children's Day Treatment Division
Program Location: JBFCS Westchester Division, Hawthorne, NY:
Hawthorne Cedar Knolls is a residential treatment center (RTC) for 104 boys, ages 8 to 18, and girls, ages 13 to 18, who have a wide variety of emotional problems. Youngsters are provided with comprehensive treatment, special education, and supervised living. Family involvement is an important component of the treatment. Residents are referred by the Administration for Children's Services of New York City, New York State Office of Family and Children's, and other local County Committee of Special Education, and Departments of Social Services in New York State.
"Road Recovery has given a voice to some of our children who would otherwise remain silent. People have been expressing their deepest feelings through song for centuries—from singing the blues to belting out a love song. Road Recovery has enabled our kids to share their joy and pain in a healthy, safe forum."
- Leonardo I. Rodriguez, LCSW-R Deputy Executive Director—JBFCS
Graham School’s Monge Codio, Director of Youth Development & Program Activities (rear center) surrounded by Road Recovery staff & Graham School teen participants involved in Road Recovery’s Performance Workshops Program.
Program Location: The Graham School, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY:
Graham Windham/The Graham School helps under-served children overcome obstacles on the path to self-sufficiency by giving them the skills to succeed, supporting and strengthening their families and, when necessary, supplementing their families.
“I feel we have found a long lost sibling with Road Recovery. In the last 8 weeks a group of students have essentially taken their capabilities to new heights as they prepared for a Live Concert in front of their peers. These students have developed socially, intellectually, and have increased their self-esteem through Music. At Graham Windham, we work on developing the core competencies that contribute to their therapeutic experience on campus. Road Recovery has matched and exceeded all expectations and has assimilated quite nicely with our programs to get young kids better.” - Monge Codio Jr., MS - Director of Youth Development & Program Activities Graham-Windham, Hastings on the Hudson, NY
Richard Linkens, Director of English, Social Studies, Academic Intervention Services, Warwick Valley Central School District, Warwick, NY surrounded by Road Recovery’s Crazy James and Warwick Valley High School student volunteers.
Program Location: Warwick Valley High School, Warwick, NY:
“We designed our Road Recovery Performance Workshops Program around the themes of “Vulnerability, Struggle, and Triumph” with the hope that the adolescent voices from young adults involved in Road Recovery’s NYC program would communicate the negative effects of alcohol and drugs. What we didn’t expect was that this “unplugged” message, when “amplified”, became a call for young people to empower themselves to take responsibility for carving out their place in the world. A place discovered through forward, positive thinking. A place characterized by growth and achievement. A place where youth is understood as a gift and giving is the only way to truly receive.” - Richard Linkens, Director of English, Social Studies, Academic Intervention Services, Warwick Valley Central School District, Warwick, NY
Program Location: Road Recovery, New York, NY:
"Last night I spent three hours with a group of a dozen kids in Road Recovery. We talked and we jammed and it was a great experience for me. Road Recovery is comprised of people with a hope of teaching kids that they can draw a map through this world that doesn’t include a stop at the liquor store or the dope house. I saw myself in that room and I realized that to be 16 or 19 or 22... and clean... and totally uninhibited was living proof of principles in action. What appears to be contrary to the laws of nature are HAPPENING in Road Recovery. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s a true hands-on program for young people and it needs to be duplicated around the world. Do whatever you can to support them."– Wayne Kramer, Artist, Founding Member - MC5, Composer, Writer, Activist
Reported By: Scott Bienenfeld, M.D. Psychiatrist, Park Avenue Associates/Road Recovery Executive Board Member.
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher
Last year marked non-profit organization Road Recovery’s tenth anniversary, and as is fitting for a music-based organization, they put on a benefit concert at The Nokia Theater in New York’s Times Square. Under the direction of founders, Jack Bookbinder, Gene Bowen, and artist manger Margaret Kramer (Muscle Tone Records) artists such as Slash (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Perry Farrell (Jane’s Addiction), Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), comedian - Denis Leary, Joseph Arthur, Sen Dog (Cypress Hill), Jakob Dylan (The Wallflowers), Ours/Jimmy Gnecco, and Miggs, Together with all the rockers…and Crazy James and kids from Road Recovery’s programs they blew the roof off! The show was an amazing success and the artists were able to get the word out to young people about their support of Road Recovery and that you can be wild and crazy and have a great time --- all within a healthy context.
The response was so positive that the artists demanded a repeat show the following year in order to raise awareness about (and funds for) the unique and life saving Road Recovery’s programs. They decided that with the 2009 benefit, they would initiate ROAD RECOVERY Honors, a new award that will be given annually to an individual who shares its vision of giving back through action and service to those in need. This award will afford its honoree the opportunity to select any U.S. organization he or she wishes to help, and together with Road Recovery, create and participate in an outreach event that positively impacts its constituents.Enter theresilient guitarist, composer, and producer Wayne Kramer, who received the inaugural award at the event. Wayne, and his manager Margaret Kramer, had been long-time Road Recovery supporters and he was an obvious choice for the award, having suffered through decades of drug addiction and a federal prison term. He agreed to accept the award with the condition that he and Road Recovery create a program in a New York State maximum security correctional facility – Sing Sing prison, for a population he felt was deeply in need of help and Road Recovery’s message of hope.
(L-R) Wayne Kramer, Iggy Pop, Don Was
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher
“Just do what I do when things get tough, tell yourself, I’m a champion and then act that way. Road Recovery feels good!!” – Iggy Pop, The Stooges
On Friday May 1, 2009, artists Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine/ Audioslave / The Nightwatchman), Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Don Was, Billy Bragg, IGGY POP, Evan Seinfeld, Boots Riley, Gilby Clarke (Guns 'N' Roses), Carl Restivo, Eric Gardner, Juliette Lewis, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Little Steven (Bruce Springsteen and the E. Street Band), Joan As Police Woman, Ours, Miggs, Middle Class Rut, and Road Recovery's Performance Workshop Program “House Band” Crazy James and Emcees: Matt Pinfield & Leslie Fram from New York’s Rock Experience 101.9 RXP Radio delivered a riveting show to a sold out Nokia Theater crowd. At the end of the benefit concert, Road Recovery Executive Board Member and Benefit Sponsor Tiffanie DeBartolo (Bright Antenna Records), together with Margaret Kramer presented Wayne Kramer with the keys to Sing Sing Correctional Facility and the honor of the night. The show was going to Sing Sing. The following day, a group of the artists who had performed the night before boarded a bus and traveled to Ossining, NY to play a historic show at Sing Sing Prison in order to carry out Mr. Kramer’s vision.
Wayne Kramer - onstage- May 1st proudly shows off his personalized keys to
Sing Sing Correctional Facility to a SOLD OUT crowd at the Nokia Theater- Time Square New York City!
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher
At Sing Sing Prison, Mr. Kramer addressed inmates who suffer from addictive disorders and mental illness and were in special programs aimed at treating those issues. His goal was not only to instill a sense of hope in them, but also to help educate the inmates about how to increase their chances of succeeding on the outside. Mr. Kramer opened the program with a 30 minute discussion detailing his own experiences as a musician in the 60’s, his decline into drug addiction, a subsequent federal prison term, the difficulties he faced upon release and his journey into recovery marked by his involvement in 12-step support groups. He ended with a Q & A with the inmates who were deeply engaged and asked pointed, relevant and clinical questions.
photo from: Comtesse DeSpair's Flikr.com
Wayne Kramer interacts with Sing Sing Correctional Facility inmates
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher
Following Mr. Kramer’s remarkably engaging and clinically pointed presentation it was time for the music. Billy Bragg opened the program with “Redemption Song” followed by “I Keep Faith” and from the first few bars it was clear that the inmates were totally engaged. Following Bragg’s performance, it was Perry Farrell (Jane‘s Addiction), Etty Lau Farrell (Satellite Party), Tom Morello (Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine), Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Don Was (Was (Not Was)), Handsome Dick Manitoba (The Dictators), Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses), and Boots Riley (The Coup). who performed song after intense song (Pink Floyd’s – Wish You Were Here, T. Rex – Jailbreak, MC5’s Kick Out The Jams, and The Who’s We Won’t Get Fooled Again) among others that had the inmates up and dancing, arms waving in the air, clearly connecting with the vibe of the moment. Perry Ferrell declared in to the microphone, “This is the coolest concert I have ever been to in my whole life!”
ROCKin' the "BIG HOUSE !!
photo credit: Tracy Ketcher
After the show the inmates got to mingle with the artists and the clinical support team and a really positive feeling filled the room. A corrections officer who had been working there for 20+ years declared it the most amazing program he had ever seen at Sing Sing. Sing Sing Correctional Facility, The New York State Department Of Correctional Services (NYDOCS) and Road Recovery should be commended for their support of this meaningful program that not only gives inmates a sense of hope about their future, but is clinically relevant and meaningful as a tool that addresses addiction and mental illness that is rampant throughout our nations prisons.
Dr. Lesley Malin, Assistant Deputy Superintendent,
Sing Sing Correctional Facility
with her hero, Billy Bragg “in the yard”.
photo credit: Tracy Ketcher
“Please accept a heartfelt thanks to Road Recovery from all the staff and inmates of Sing Sing Correctional Facility. The outreach program at our facility was one of the best events we have ever had. Wayne Kramer, Tom Morello, Billy Bragg, and the other artists' candor with the inmates was very inspirational. The amazing, full electric musical performance rocked "The Big House"! It was clear to us that the musicians were enjoying themselves as much as the audience. The program has been the talk of the prison since! All the artists were so gracious and accommodating, even signing autographs and speaking to the inmates individually after the performance. Music proved to be a powerful, therapeutic tool that touched the hearts and minds of all who were present that day. We were transported from behind the prison walls by an experience we will never forget. We can not thank Road Recovery enough for taking the time and effort to visit us at Sing Sing. - Warm Regards.” - Dr. Lesley Malin, Assistant Deputy Superintendent, Sing Sing Correctional Facility
Road Recovery Staff, Sing Sing Correctional Facility Staff,
Wayne Kramer and friends on the front steps of Sing Sing Correctional Facility
photo credit: Tracy Ketcher
Road Recovery’s 2009 Benefit Honoring the Resilient Wayne Kramer became a reality thanks to the efforts of many people, including… Billy Bragg, Jerry Cantrell, Gilby Clarke, Etty Lau Farrell, Perry Farrell, Leslie Fram / 101.9 RXP Radio, Eric Gardner, Dave Gibbs, Wayne Kramer, Juliette Lewis, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Don Miggs, Tom Morello, Matt Pinfield / 101.9 RXP Radio, Iggy Pop, Carl Restivo, Boots Riley, Evan Seinfeld, Little Steven Van Zandt, Don Was, Crazy James, Middle Class Rut, Ours, Jimmy Webb, The DeBartolo Family Foundation & their supporters Edward & Candy DeBartolo, Tiffanie DeBartolo, Lisa DeBartolo, Niki DeBartolo, Bright Antenna Records Scott Schumaker, Road Recovery’s Executive Board, Road Recovery’s independent clinician, Ilya Mandel, M.A., L.M.S.W., C.A.S.A.C. Road Recovery Performance Workshops Program Staff, Steve Martin & The Agency Group, Padilla Speer & Beardsley Public Relations, Dworkin & CO Artist Managers - Margaret Kramer, Susan Silver, Peter Jenner, Rick Clair, Brian Winton, Mark Mercado The Nokia Theatre staff & AEG Live, Mary Guibert & Jeff Buckley Music James Walsh, Sheldon Steiger, Jeremy Sklarsky & Major Who Media, Road Recovery parents & volunteers, The Village Voice, Fuze Beverages, Let’s Have An Affair, Laurence Kern, Rick Mullen, Catering – Susan Dworkin & Staff, Boulevard Pro, DreamHire, Gibson guitars, Dr. Scott Bienenfeld, Condomcents – Alec Gold, Backstreet International Merchandise, A to Z Media, Rachel Berlin, Tatsiana Bookbinder, Julia Mandelbaum, UC Limited – Una Cote, Ready To Roll Limo, TNT Transportation, Roman - Snakejam Productions, L7 Technology Partners, Partnership For A Drug Free America, Jewish Board For Family & Children Services, Graham Windham Services, Caron Treatment Centers, Sing Sing Correctional Facility: Acting Superintendent Dawson Brown, Assistant Deputy Superintendent for Programs Lesley Malin, Lieutenant Ed Doyle, Deputy Superintendent for Security William Lee, Sgt. Alphonso (Al) Orrico, Corrections Officer Leon Strand, Corrections Officer Allen Haskins, Corrections Officer Anthony Ramsey, Corrections Officer Gina Sheba, Corrections Officer Salvatore Gregory, Corrections Officer Todd Marlowe, Corrections Officer Brian Rodgers, Education Supervisor Olga Marchese, Recreation Programs Leader John Palmiotto, Recreation Programs Leader Richard Karlson, Maintenance Supervisor Paul Lopes
Thursday April 30, 2009 :: New York's Road Recovery and Wayne Kramer to Perform Live at Sing Sing Prison
Resilient Musician - Wayne Kramer First Recipient of Road Recovery Honors
New York, NY - April 30, 2009 - Road Recovery, a nationally recognized nonprofit music-based mentoring organization, is proud to announce the establishment of Road Recovery Honors, a new award given annually to an individual who shares its vision of giving back through action and service to those in need. This award affords its honoree the opportunity to select any U.S. organization and, together with Road Recovery, create and participate in an outreach event that positively impacts its constituents.
MC5's Wayne Kramer, the resilient guitarist, composer and producer, will receive the inaugural honor during Road Recovery's benefit concert at the Nokia Times Square Theater on Friday, May 1.
As part of his award, Kramer selected Sing Sing prison in Ossining, New York and will, with Road Recovery, produce a program at the correctional facility on Saturday, May 2.
The Sing Sing event will include an interactive discussion between approximately 100 inmates and Kramer about his life before, during and after his own incarceration. The program will be followed by a full electric performance by Kramer and friends, including Billy Bragg, Perry Farrell (Jane‘s Addiction), Etty Lau Farrell (Satellite Party), Tom Morello (Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine), Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Don Was (Was (Not Was)), Handsome Dick Manitoba (The Dictators), Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses), Boots Riley (The Coup) and others.
Wayne Kramer - Honoree!
"We are pleased to welcome Road Recovery and look forward to supporting their effort in honoring musician Wayne Kramer, whose dream is to give back to the inmates of Sing Sing Correctional Facility via his message of hope and live concert," says Sing Sing Correctional Facility's Executive Team.
For the Road Recovery Benefit Concert taking place prior to the Sing Sing event, Kramer's guitar solos of "psychedelic heights" (New York Times) will be shaking up the audience during an evening of high-energy rock and roll that he promises will be "just loose enough musically that anything might happen." Joining Kramer will be Iggy Pop, Carl Restivo (Satellite Party), Eric Gardner (Streetsweeper), Evan Seinfeld (Biohazard) and Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick), as well as Morello, Farrell, Cantrell, Was, Bragg, Riley, Clarke, and Manitoba, all performing songs together and individually from their respective catalogs, as well as collaborating on MC5 songs.
Also joining the Benefit Concert will be Joan As Police Woman, Ours, Miggs, Middle Class Rut and Road Recovery's Performance Workshops Program "House Band" Crazy James.
General admission tickets for the 8:00 p.m. May 1st benefit are $25 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000, or through the Nokia Times Square Theatre Box Office. VIP Passes with Artist Meet & Greet are priced at $500 ($400 of this total is a tax-deductible donation). The Nokia Theater Times Square is located at 44th Street and Broadway in New York City.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009:: Dave Matthews Band Fiddler Boyd Tinsley Hosts Road Recovery.
Dave Matthews Band jamming onstage at the IZOD Center NJ –April 15, 2009
Wednesday, April 15th, Izod Center, East Rutherford NJ: Dave Matthews Band Spring Tour ’09 supporting their latest release Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King (RCA Records).Band member, Violinist, Vocalist – Boyd Tinsley dedicated an hour long pre-show backstage hang with Road Recovery
Boyd Tinsley (left) behind closed doors with
Road Recovery's youth backstage at the IZOD Center, NJ
teens to share his life experiences and interact with the group of young people participating in Road Recovery’s Master Class Series.
Boyd Tinsley is a man in touch with his reality and history! He’s keen to admit his success is the result of his tenacity matched by the unconditional support of his bandmates, family and friends, whose critical influences helped him reach his career goal to become a working professional musician.
Tinsley credits his ability to navigate the ‘bumps in the road’ through the help of others. Those individuals who were willing to intervene at critical times in Tinsley’s life enabled the musician to find his way. Tinsley expressed backstage with Road Recovery young adults that
knowing what one wants to do is an amazing feat, but getting there involves the guidance of others.
Road Recovery girls fawn over Boyd Tinsley after his Road Recovery Master Class
Boyd shows his affection for Road Recovery's youth before hitting the stage!
During the one-hour closed door gathering with Road Recovery teens, Boyd Tinsley openly discussed his process of elimination that led him to figure what he wanted to with his life. His message was straight forward. Stay focused on what’s got your interest and reach for what you love. Avoid repeating negative experiences; channel those life lessons learned into areas that yield positive results. Let others in on what’s going on, so they can help guide you on your path. Be fearless, workout, lift weights, sweat out your fears….and no matter what, remain humble!
“Road Recovery and Music are gifts that can lift the pain from your heart and carry you forward to better life.” – Boyd Tinsley, Dave Matthews Band
Boyd Tinsley onstage at the IZOD center, New Jersey
The night ended with orchestra seats for Road Recovery’s kids to enjoy the 3 ½ hour Dave Matthews Band jam!
Road Recovery is grateful to Boyd Tinsley for his support and dedication to our kids and the Road Recovery cause spanning the years. Road Recovery thanks Boyd Tinsley’s support team, Chris Varga and Brayan Strickland (assistant tour manager) for their logistical coordination support and gracious hospitality. ALL PHOTOS BY: Tracy Ketcher - www.tracyketcher.com
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2009 :: Give and Get with Comedian Denis Leary & 700 High School Students
Saturday, March 28, 2009 – DENIS LEARY,
The Rescue Me Comedy Tour Hosts Road Recovery Master Class Backstage @ Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT.
College pals for over thirty years, guitarist for Leary’s band, The Enablers, Adam Roth has been volunteering his off the road time working with Road Recovery teens and young adults. Sharing his life and professional experiences as a musician, composer and survivor, the always sharp dresser, Adam Roth has been showing up weekly to Road Recovery’s mid-town Manhattan office.
When it came time for Adam to hit the road again with his old pal Denis, Roth and Leary invited Road Recovery to join them backstage for a Road Recovery Master Class to discuss the life saving power of friendship. After the Master Class the group headed off to watch Leary, Roth and the rest of the band entertain and awe 9,500 fans at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Arena.
Denis Leary (center) '&' Adam Roth (far right) backstage with Road Recovery youth and staff.
“It’s great that there’s an organization like Road Recovery, providing life saving fellowship for young people.”– Denis Leary, comedian, actor
Adam Roth (center) throwing down with his Road Recovery pals backstage at Mohegan Sun.
Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder (left) takes notes as Denis Leary expresses his support for Road Recovery.
“Road Recovery acts like a microcosm of how the world works and so does a rock band Combine these elements together and its invaluable training…just by showing up each week I can see how the kids transition into the world safely through the guidance and support of Road Recovery & Rock’n Roll. The relationships and experiences together will stay with them for a lifetime.” – Adam Roth, musician, composer – Denis Leary’s The Enablers
Thanks to Tour Manager - Scotty Haulter, the Apostle crew - Bartow Church, and Sawyer Williams whose coordination efforts made Road Recovery’s Master Class with Denis Leary and Adam Roth possible.
700+ Westwood Regional Junior/Senior High School Students await an assembly like no other
Friday, March 27, 2009 – SEVEN HUNDRED Bergen County, NJ high school teens experienced an assembly like no other presented by the entertainment industry non-profit organization Road Recovery. Road Recovery’s collaborative ‘Live’ performance outreach event opened up with three sets from Westwood Regional Junior/Senior High School student bands, PlastaScene, Kick Me, and StoopKid.
Primed and ready, Road Recovery’s house band – Crazy James followed in full stride, delivering a thirty minute set of original material spawned from their life experiences, drug/alcohol addiction and other mental health issues.
Crazy James onstage in full force!
After the dust settled in the auditorium, ten Crazy James members hung out for nearly an hour with approximately 50 students for more personal interactive conversations about the solutions and resources that exist for anyone looking for a better life.
Crazy James members speak with Westwood HS students about their life experiences getting sober as a teens.
(L-R) Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder,
Principal – Thomas A. Gorman, & high school therapist Gerald Opthof, LPC
High school therapist Gerald Opthof, LPC feeling the love from Crazy James
“As educators, we constantly try to help students make positive choices but we know they all do not listen to our message. Road Recovery offered an alternative venue to try to reach the students through music and stories of recovering students. Students and faculty reported the Road Recovery assembly was very positive!” - Thomas A. Gorman, Principal - Westwood Regional Junior/Senior High School, Washington Township, NJ
Road Recovery’s outreach event was made possible thanks to therapist, Mr. Gerald Opthof, LPC, LCADC, CSW (www.gaotherapy.com), Municipal Alliance of Westwood Township, Municipal Alliance of the Township of Washington, and Thomas A. Gorman, Principal.
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2009:: Road Recovery ‘Kicks Out The Jams’ @ SXSW ’09 Music Conference
Austin, Texas: Year #4 - Wayne Kramer (MC5), Jeff Buckley Music, L7 Technology Partners, Gibson Foundation, AxeShop, MajorWho Media & Many Others – Support Road Recovery @ SXSW ’09 !!
March 17-21st - SXSW 2009 MUSIC & MEDIA CONFERENCE, Austin, TX: For the fourth consecutive year, Road Recovery with supporter Wayne Kramer, founding member of Detroit’s MC5, expanded its impact in Austin, Texas by orchestrating another community outreach event for Austin-based youth, manned the Road Recovery booth for the three day SXSW Music Conference trade show, and partnered in presenting a SXSW Live Music Showcase.
Community Outreach: Building on the overwhelming response after last year’s first Road Recovery’s SXSW outreach event, Road Recovery ramped it up thanks to the commitment of Wayne Kramer (MC5) and Bob Mothersbaugh (DEVO) who graciously showed up to lead a private two hour *Road Recovery Master Class Series that included an unplugged performance for approximately 18 high school teens, representatives of Austin youth programs, and Austin-based musicians. The outreach event culminated with a drawing for a Stratocaster style electric guitar donated by Jim Heslins AxeShop (www.axeshop.com). The guitar was won by a very happy young participant in attendance of the outreach event!
Road Recovery’s community outreach event @ SXSW drew a large assembly from the youth services treatment community, local musicians and teenagers from the Austin area to hear Wayne Kramer and Bob 1 speak and perform unplugged.
Wayne Kramer(MC5) & Bob 1 (DEVO) perform unplugged @ Road Recovery’s community outreach
Master Class Series event in Austin, TX during SXSW.
“Road Recovery is Great! Bob 1” - Bob Mothersbaugh (DEVO)
Austin based musicians were in attendance to support Road Recovery’s outreach; guitarist - Phil Brown, singer/songwriter/guitarist - Leland Parks (Mike Milligan and The Alter Boyz), bassist, Aaron Davis and other Austin local supporters. Thanks to three local organizations, DOA (Disease of Addiction) - Danni Morford, Gina Harlow, PDAP (Palmer Drug Abuse Program), and Phoenix Academy whose efforts connected Road Recovery with many of the young participants.
Wayne Kramer (MC5) (left) & Bob 1 (DEVO) bookend an astonsihed Stratocaster style guitar winner
donated by Jim Heslins AxeShop (www.axeshop.com) after Road Recovery’s Master Class Series outreach event.
*Road Recovery's Master Class Series provides teens and young adults access, insight and understanding to life opportunities and life experiences. Road Recovery’s Master Class Series brings together professionals from the entertainment industry whose lives have been touched by addiction and other adversities and now wish to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Road Recovery’s Master Class Series is an interactive discussion and exchange between Road Recovery music industry supporters and young adults participating in Road Recovery’s Master Class.
Music Trade Show/SXSW Music Conference Big Bag Insert: Road Recovery’s Music Trade Show booth has become a fixture at SXSW to provide information and access to thousands of SXSW Trade Show visitors discovering Road Recovery for the first time, while allowing friends and supporters to easily find founders Jack Bookbinder & Gene Bowen.
Road Recovery boothers (l-r) James Walsh (MajorWho Media), Wayne Kramer (MC5),
Margaret Saadi Kramer (MuscleTone Records), Mary Guibert (Jeff Buckley Music) & (seated)
Jack Bookbinder (Road Recovery co-founder) greet trade show visitors with smiles and smirks!
The resilient Wayne Kramer (MC5) doing what he can to sell $1.00 raffle tickets at the
Road Recovery SXSW booth for The Gibson Foundation’s donated guitars!
This year, Wayne Kramer (MC5) and manager - Margaret Saadi Kramer (MuscleTone Records) joined James Walsh (MajorWho Media) and Mary Guibert and Alison Raykovich (Jeff Buckley Music) at the Road Recovery booth, handing out giveaway items, exchanging dialogue with all visitors and fundraising by selling seven-hundred $1.00 raffle tickets to win an Epiphone Hummingbird acoustic guitar and an Epiphone Les Paul electric guitar donated by The Gibson Foundation.
MusiCares – Harold Owens (left), takes over Road Recovery’s booth
with Jack Bookbinder (center) and Wayne Kramer (MC5).
All hands on deck at Road Recovery’s SXSW booth as Margaret Saadi Kramer (MuscleTone Records)
draws winners for an Epiphone Hummingbird acoustic guitar and an Epiphone Les Paul electric
guitar donated by The Gibson Foundation, raffled off for a $1.00 a ticket!
Road Recovery’s SXSW booth staff glee with the winners of $1.00 raffle ticket
Gibson Foundation donated Epiphone Les Paul & Epiphone Hummingbird guitars.
Wayne Kramer (MC5) and Tiffanie DeBartolo (Bright Antenna Records)
catch up at Road Recovery’s SXSW booth.
Radio/TV personality and rock music scholar, Matt Pinfield (right) shows up for
Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder (left) and Gene Bowen (center)at SXSW.
Road Recovery’s booth and info packets (graciously assembled by volunteers at Times Square Ink) inserted into 11,500 SXSW Music Conference Big Bag were made possible through the financial support of Jeff Buckley Music and L7 Technology Partners.
Music Festival: *The Music Managers Forum (MMF-US) – an affiliate of the International Music Managers Forum (IMMF), involved Road Recovery for their second annual SXSW showcase featuring Wayne Kramer, The Cringe and Bobby Bare Jr. at Maggie Mae’s - Gibson Room, 323 East 6th Street (@ Trinity) in Austin, on Saturday, March 21st from 11pm-2:00am to a packed house including national TV talk-show host Rachel Ray!
Wayne Kramer performs during the Music Managers Forum
SXSW showcase at Maggie Mae’s - Gibson Room.
Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder (front & center) along with his fellow Music Managers Forum
(MMF-US) team hang with TV talk-show host Rachel Ray during their SXSW showcase.
*Music Managers Forum-US (www.mmfus.com) is a non-profit trade group organization formed to protect the rights of recording artists, music producers, DJs and music managers through education, communication and public policy work. In alliance and support of Road Recovery, the MMF–US board promoted Road Recovery’s efforts to reach artist managers and SXSW concert goers in attendance by making hand-out materials available at the showcase venue and via the powerful performance of Road Recovery supporter – the resilient Wayne Kramer
Road Recovery’s presence at SXSW 2009 MUSIC & MEDIA CONFERENCE was made possible thanks to the support of Wayne Kramer, Margaret Saadi Kramer (MuscleTone Records), Mary Guibert (Jeff Buckley Music), L7 Technology Partners, James Walsh (MajorWho Media), Alison Raykovich (Jeff Buckley Music), The Gibson Foundation, Jim Heslins AxeShop, Luke Cutchen (Musicmakers), MMF-US, Hilton Garden Inn, and the SXSW Music & Media Conference staff.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2009::Legendary Record Producer – STEVE LILLYWHITE Brings Road Recovery Good Luck for Friday the 13th!
New York, NY: MajorWho Media (www.majorwho.com) graciously hosted Grammy Award Winning Record Producer Steve Lillywhite for his second Road Recovery Master Class!
For more than ninety minutes, Steve Lillywhite, the man behind so many historical rock albums, ‘produced, mixed and mastered’ a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Road Recovery’s young adult program participants and staff.
Steve Lillywhite makes a positive connection with Road Recovery youth!
Lillywhite’s view on life is interchangeable with how he produces bands as he proclaimed "Production should be transparent so the band can stand out" & "I hope I get a different sound each time." Lillywhite is a man whose life has experienced much joy and pain. His experiences inside and out of the recording studio have shaped a man who is humble and aware of his shortcomings, yet he remains confident in what he knows best - himself and the willingness to push himself beyond what feels comfortable.
Steve Lillywhite captivates Road Recovery youth & staff sharing his personal and professional life experiences
Steve Lillywhite started his career in the recording studio in 1972 at the bottom rung of the ladder as a tape operator at Phonogram's Marble Arch studio in England. In effect, a tape operator was a "tea boy"-- someone who ran to get tea and other necessities and indulgences for the musicians and engineers. Soon enough, however, he became an engineer himself and began producing bands on the side.
Lillywhite has produced some of the most successful albums from such internationally acclaimed artists as U2, the Talking Heads, and the Rolling Stones, and some of the most trend-setting albums by such musical pioneers as Siouxsie and the Banshees, Ultravox, the Psychedelic Furs, XTC, the Pogues, World Party, Morrissey, Dave Mathews Band, Phish, Matchbox Twenty, and Ours. In 2006, Lillywhite was awarded producer of the year at the Grammy Awards.
Without missing a beat, Steve Lillywhite turned the tables on the dozen Road Recovery young artists who call themselves Crazy James and invited them into the recording studio control room of Major Who Media. Once in the comfortable setting of the recording studio’s control room, Lillywhite listened to rough mixes of new Crazy James material. After exploring all the elements of the young artists’ work, Lillywhite urged everyone to take chances within themselves and never settle both musically and personally!
Steve Lillywhite at work, listening to rough mixes of new Crazy James material
Lillywhite offered a story told to him by U2 frontman Bono concerning John Lennon. Sitting in a room surrounded by a bunch of people, Lennon played a new song for everyone and asked someone what part of the song they really liked. This person responded “I like the chorus”. Without thinking, John Lennon responded “good, then I’ll take the chorus and make it the verse and write a new chorus”.
Steve Lillywhite (center) surrounded by a grateful
Road Recovery and Major Who Media staff
"Road Recovery is Fantastic! Once you've taken the rum out of the fruit cake, Road Recovery helps you deal with the fruit!" – Steve Lillywhite
Be on the lookout for Steve Lillywhite’s latest projects he helped produce that are due for commercial release in March 2009:
Blue October – Approaching Normal (Universal)
and U2 - No Line On The Horizon (Interscope)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2009 :: Metallica’s James Hetfield Gets Quiet with Road Recovery Youth & Makes Generous Financial Donation to Support the Cause!
Metallica
front man, James Hetfield graciously invited a group of Road Recovery’s
sober young people backstage to share his life experiences
in a relaxed setting, while a hundred yards away 18,000 metalheads
awaited a pounding by Metallica onstage at Long Island’s
Nassau Coliseum, on Thursday, January 29th during the band’s Death Magnetic world tour.
James
Hetfield (center) gathers backstage with
Road Recovery’s
youth at Nassau Coliseum. PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
For more than an hour, James Hetfield spoke openly about his roller
coaster years spent in search of a content life and the hole he
couldn’t fill with pot, boose, sex, fast cars, a rock star’s
lifestyle, food/sugar, and a negative attitude. Music was always
his constant saving grace, a life line, which today is more prolific
as a result of choosing sobriety and the wonderful fallout that
comes with it.
Hetfield shared how he understands himself more each day and so
do others in his life circle, which he attributes as the secret
to maintaining his inner balance. The void he tried to fill for
so many years has been replaced with wonderful opportunities and
experiences that directly impact everyone in his life, including
Metallica fans. “It’s all about NOW, being in the moment,
that’s my goal!”
James
Hetfield onstage ‘rallying the troops’ at Nassau
Coliseum PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
James Hetfield explained that his persona on or off stage are
all aspects of who he is. For instance, many times while in public,
fans approach him expecting the guy on stage to be in their face;
instead they are greeted by a man who likes to engage in meaningful
conversation. It throws people off…and in many ways creates
misunderstandings…his request for steamed fish before a
gig is not a rock star’s demand, he’s taking care of
his body, giving it what it needs, helping him deliver the best
performance he can!
James shared with Road Recovery’s youth how he’s still
quick to call himself names when he drops something on the floor,
but at least today he’s aware of his shortcomings. Little
by little he speaks about chipping away at his ‘negative
self talk’. He’s surrounded by real friends, caring
band mates, family, and fans that look out for him in the truest
sense even when he’s beating himself up!
Robert Trujillo, Lars Ulrich, and James Hetfield centerstage
PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
"Turning that road to ruin into Road Recovery can be a great
one having the tools and support.
The keys for me have been honesty and awareness. Respecting yourself
with honesty will give you and others a clear mission on what is
healthy and what is not. When people know your struggles they can
help you be aware of your behavior.
Be the rebel and help break the myth of sex, drugs, rock and roll
by standing up with your given gift. Stand up without those crutches
before they inevitably fail you. Road Recovery, they fight the
good fight." - With Much Love and Respect,
James ‘papa
het’ Hetfield, (Metallica)
Road
Recovery’s ‘Metalheads’ UNITE with legendary
James Hetfield! (center) PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
"I appreciate James Hetfield’s warmth and honesty.
He inspired me to continue to have the courage to become myself
even if that means ordering steamed fish!"– Ryan
S. (Road Recovery youth)
James
Hetfield (center) describes the meaning behind his
favorite tattoos
with Road Recovery’s youth.
PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
James Hetfield’s Road Recovery Master Class would not have
been possible without the committed support of: Bright Antenna
(Shine, Scott Shumaker & Sep), Metallica & James Hetfield’s
team (Joni Soekotjo, Vickie Strate, & Jeff Yeager)
The Road Recovery Foundation is humbly grateful to James Hetfield
for his generous financial support, especially in these times of
economic uncertainty.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2009 ::Deja Vu forJeff Buckley’s
Mom, Drummer & Road Recovery.
New York, NY – 14 years later, Major Who Media’s(www.majorwho.com) recording studios, once the rehearsal space
for the late artist Jeff Buckley, became the backdrop for Buckley’s
Mother Mary Guibert and Buckley band drummer Matt Johnson to
participate in Road Recovery’s Master Class Series.
January 2009 kicked off in a most serial way, uniting Road Recovery’s
Jack Bookbinder of Jeff Buckley management team and Gene Bowen,
Buckley’s tour manager, with Mary Guibert (Jeff Buckley
Music - www.jeffbuckley.com) and Jeff’s band mate Matt
Johnson (www.drumsmattjohnson.com) inside the late artist’s
rehearsal space now the home of Major Who Media.
(L-R)
Jack Bookbinder (Road Recovery), Major Who Media’s –
James
Walsh & Sheldon Steiger together with Gene Bowen
(Road Recovery)
surround Mary Guibert (Jeff Buckley Music)
come together for
Road Recovery young people.
In 1995, James Walsh of Major Who Media owned a recording studio
that was originally located next door to the Jeff Buckley band
rehearsal cave. As neighbors occupying a Dungeness basement in
a residential NYC apartment building, a friendship developed
between Buckley, Bowen and Walsh. After Jeff Buckley’s
accidental drowning in 1997, Gene Bowen knocked on Major Who
Media’s door and offered Walsh Buckley’s old space...the
rest is history…
(L-R)
Jack Bookbinder (Road Recovery), James Walsh
(Major Who Media),
drummer - Matt Johnson and Gene Bowen
(Road Recovery) reminisce
about days ago…
During the two Master Class Sessions Matt Johnson and Mary Guibert
wove an intimate conversation with a small group of Road Recovery
teens and young adults illuminating the twists and turns of their
life and career story. Independently, Guibert and Johnson described
in great detail their daily quest toward ever finding meaning,
understanding and purpose in what drove them; their inner passion
toward a life with meaning.
Drummer – Matt Johnson (right corner) ‘kicking it’ about
his life
with Road Recovery young folks during his Master Class
session.
(center)
Mary Guibert (Jeff Buckley Music) sharing the love with
Road
Recovery’s young people, staff and Major Who
Media’s
James Walsh (far right) after her Master Class.
Even in the wake of great tragedy and loss, Guibert summoned
everyone to ‘be their own hero’ by being accountable
to themselves through evolving an honest relationship within
and the outside world intersecting them.
At the conclusion of each Master Class session with Matt Johnson
and Mary Guibert, an unending musical exchange erupted in true
Buckley style!
Matt
Johnson (center) building a beat with Road Recovery’s
young
people during his Master Class session.
Matt
Johnson finishes his Master Class behind the kit
jamming with
Road Recovery’s house band Crazy James
inside
Major
Who Media’s recording studio.
"I recommend this experience for people on both sides.
I got to meet new people, play music, and talk with others about
life…The gift of life!!! Road Recovery is about sharing.
I love this organization." – Matt
Johnson, drummer
"I have so much respect for these young people. They are
constantly dealing with daily challenges to their sobriety with
so much courage and integrity. I am in awe of them." – Mary
Guibert (Jeff Buckley Music)
MONDAY
December 15, 2008 :: “Happy Holidaze” to All from
Road Recovery
CLICK
HERE to view our interactive
Holiday Card and to Listen to Crazy James' new song "Happy
Holidaze"!!
CLICK
HERE to Preview and Download
100% of all proceeds go towards the Road Recovery Foundation
The recording of “Happy Holidaze” was generously
donated by The Major Who Media Group!
Recorded at MajorWho/Threshold
Music Studios
Production: Jeremy Sklarsky, Sheldion Steiger & James Walsh
Mixed by: Steve Greenwell / Mastered by: Fred Kevorkian www.majorwho.com and www.majorwho.blogspot.com
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2008 :: Tony Bennett Leaves His Heart With
Road Recovery!
Saturday, November 22nd, Tony
Bennett’s 'Closing
Night' Finale Includes Road Recovery! @ Harrah’s
Resort, Atlantic City, N.J.
World renowned singer Tony Bennett demolished the generation gap
for Road Recovery’s teens through his onstage performance
and backstage ‘meet & greet’/master class at Harrah’s
Resort in Atlantic City on Saturday November 22, 2008.
Road
Recovery teens queue-up for the show & meeting with Tony
Bennett Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher – www.tracyketcher.com
Tony
Bennett and band LIVE at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic
City Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher – www.tracyketcher.com
Through his vast repertoire of legendary songs, the perfect union
of lyric, melody and unmistakable style that has defined him, Mr.
Bennett shared his early life, lucky breaks, years of struggle,
and triumphs. Shattering the distance between past and present,
Tony Bennett is a timeless phenomenon, a living testimony of hope,
determination and perseverance.
Road Recovery teens and staff backstage with Tony Bennett Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher – www.tracyketcher.com
"I’m so happy to meet these kids and to know that
they are back on the right track. They are among the most promising
young people I’ve met in a long time and Road Recovery is
what's behind it all!" – Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett continues to write his chapter in the Great American
Songbook and in the hearts of young and old everywhere who have
the opportunity to experience the music and presence of this humble
American icon! Bennett is making limited live show engagements
to support his new release 'Tony Bennett: A Swingin’ Christmas' (RPM/Columbia
Records).
Road Recovery teens in afterglow with Tony Bennett Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher – www.tracyketcher.com
Special Thanks to Michele Anthony (7-H), Dan Chiacchietta, Danny
Bennett, Tony Peeps, Joe Rhoades, Vance Anderson, Photographer
- Tracy Ketcher (tracyketcher.com) and especially with deep gratitude,
Mr. Bennett for coming together for Road Recovery teens everywhere!
FRIDAY, ROCTOBER 31, 2008 :: Artists Billy Bragg, Squeeze’s
Chris Difford, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jimmy from Trash & Vaudeville
- Give It Back – While Road Recovery Pushes It Forward
@ Area Institutions For Other Kids…All Within The Month
of October!
Grand Ballroom – Manhattan Center, NYC, Saturday, October
25th - The Agency Group President & Road Recovery Executive
Board member - Steve Martin and his clients: Artist, Billy Bragg and
Legendary Manger, Peter Jenner hosted Road Recovery’s
Master Class Series during Bragg’s Mr. Love & Justice
Fall 2008
North American Tour stop in NYC. Billy Bragg, the voice of the
voiceless and armed with electric and acoustic guitars, captivated,
motivated and empowered his NYC standing-room audience to keep
up the fight during this most critical hour in our world’s
history. Bragg delivered a set of music spanning his catalog of
more than twenty years including this year’s Anti-Records
release Mr. Love & Justice.
(R-L)
Billy Bragg speaks as Road Recovery’s Dr. Scott Bienenfeld,
Jack
Bookbinder, and teens listen attentively
After the show, Road Recovery’s teens and staff were immediately
ushered into Bragg’s dressing room for a private Master Class
audience and exchange. Bragg’s manager Peter
Jenner of Sincere
Management, whose professional life experiences included managing
Pink Floyd and The Clash, provided additional words of wisdom and
encouragement to the young group.
(L-R) Jack Bookbinder (Road Recovery),
Ian B., Billy Bragg,
Sean A., David W., Dr. Scott Bienenfeld
(Road Recovery), and
Steve Martin (Road Recovery, The Agency Group)
"Music is an amazing form of self-expression…use
this expression to help you deal with problems in your life. Road
Recovery helps you use music as a tool to get away from a position
of where you are." – Billy Bragg,
artist
Peter
Jenner (center) with the Road Recovery ‘crew’
"Road
Recovery Walks it as they Talk it." - Peter
Jenner, Sincere Management (UK), legendary artist manager - Pink
Floyd, The Clash, Billy Bragg
Jimmy’s Trash & Vaudeville, a NYC East
Village Treasure, Delivers Emotional Slaughterhouse during Road
Recovery’s Master Class Series.
Friday, October 25th, 6:00pm:
Trash and Vaudeville, a punk rock clothing/style mecca,
is actually two stores, one on top of the other, occupying the
same location at 4 St. Mark's Place in Manhattan since the early
1970's. Jimmy and the St. Marks store is famous for supplying and
outfitting stars like The Ramones and Debbie
Harry of Blondie with
clothing during the golden age of punk rock in the 1970s and 80s,
as they still do today. They also dress wrestlers and movie stars.
Jimmy spiritually raised the room by conjuring Iggy Pop, St. Marks
Place and his lifetime of a purely unadulterated rock & roll
hard-living lifestyle that has transformed him into an enduring
treasure of NYC’s punk rock scene in the
absence of CBGB matinees, Joey Ramone, and Green Door.
(L-R)
Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder with Jimmy, Trash & Vaudeville
"Road Recovery Rocks! It’s the real deal, life changing,
the truth like seeing Iggy Pop!"– Jimmy/Trash
and Vaudville
Monitor Engineer, Philip Vaandrager & Blues
Rocker – Kenny Wayne Shepherd Reaches Out to Road Recovery
During Their Jimi Hendrix 2008 Tribute Tour Stop @ NY’s Hammerstein
Ballroom, Tuesday, October 21st.
Literally rolling into town for a one night stand, Monitor
Engineer, Philip Vaandrager delivered a two hour Road Recovery Master Class,
sharing his life experiences and wisdom with blues
rocker, Kenny Wayne Shepherd for the non-profit’s young participants. The
group sat off stage on flight cases at the Hammerstein Ballroom
just before the three-hour tribute concert kicked off, as legendary
guitarists Eric Johnson and Chris
Layton, bassist Billy Cox and
(sister) Janie Hendrix, President & CEO of Experience Hendrix,
all met the youth group as they strolled by to prepare for the
sold-out event.
(Left) Road
Recovery staff/blues singer Tommy Dudley and
Road Recovery teens
hang with Philip Vaandreager (Center)
off stage after sound check
@ Hemmerstein Ballroom, NYC.
"The end of my years of using was a place of darkness and
shadow, all the light had faded out and the sun seemed to no
longer shine. So it is one of the great joys of my work that I find myself
touring the world, meeting up with other addicts and alcoholics
in recovery at every stop, and experiencing the rays of light
that manifest around these special people. New York City has got itself
an extra sun in the rays emanating from the folks at Road Recovery.
Thanks for coming out to visit with me and letting me sit in
the warmth of your sun for a little while." - Philip Vaandrager,
Monitor Engineer, Buddy Guy Band, Jimi Hendrix 2008 Tribute Tour
Legendary
blues ‘Rocker’ Kenny Wayne Shepherd
(Center)
with Road Recovery teens and Jack Bookbinder (far right)
"Wow,
all these kids are all sober? That’s great! It’s
good to have Road Recovery’s programs… a great thing
for young people to focus on music to make it possible to play
without the excess!"– Kenny Wayne
Shepherd, blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter
Road
Recovery teens marvel at their Eastwood Wandre DCX
black electric
guitar donated by Squeeze’s Chris Difford.
Squeeze Founding Member – Chris Difford Leaves Behind a
Gift for Road Recovery’s Teens. While routing back to England after completing his band’s
Five Live North America Tour, Squeeze’s founding member Chris
Difford notified Road Recovery’s headquarters that he left
a gift behind at his New York hotel for Road Recovery’s teens…an
Eastwood Wandre DCX black electric guitar! Difford donated one
of his touring axes in appreciation and support of members of Road
Recovery’s house band, Crazy James, who opened up for Squeeze
during their gig at Showcase Live! in Foxboro, MA.
Jewish Board for Family & Children
Services (JBFCS) Westchester Campus Open House celebrates Road
Recovery’s Program.
Sunday, October 26th: JBFCS celebrated
their four-month Road Recovery Performance Workshops program
at their Hawthorne, NY residential treatment facility campus that
involved more that 75 teens. Road Recovery presented a snapshot
of the program through a fast-paced presentation and private
live performance involving choreographed dancers, percussionists,
singers and rappers to an audience of JBFCS executive board members,
donors, residents and senior staff. After the performance, the
audience erupted into an unending standing ovation.
Road Recovery Staff (L-R) Owen Comaskey, Tommy Dudley,
Charles
McTavish, Ladell McLin, Hanan, Jay Rodriguez surround
Kathy Forte
(front center), Director, Residential Treatment Facilities
"Road Recovery’s staff have given hope and possibilities
to our young people. These music industry professionals have inspired
our children to express their feelings, given them a desire to
change, and that music and relationships have the power to heal."
- Kathy Forte, Director, Residential Treatment Facilities
Jewish Community Center (JCC) on the Hudson
Presentation involves Road Recovery @ Voices & Choices – Perspectives
and Challenges of Underage Drinking, Double Tree Hotel, Tarrytown,
NY Sunday, October 19
In an effort to spark ongoing dialogue between community leaders,
parents, mental health clinicians and teens, Frank
Hassid, Executive Director – JCC on the Hudson organized a two-part forum.
Crazy James delivering their set
Jonathan Katz (center),
Director – JBFCS & JACS,
with Crazy James band members after their ‘Meeting & Music’ outreach
Downstairs: Road Recovery’s ‘Meeting & Music’ was
hosted by teens involved in Road Recovery’s programs who
shared their personal life experiences in an interactive discussion
forum combined with an unplugged acoustic performance set of original
music and obscure covers. The intimate crowd of Westchester area
high school students was quite receptive and supportive to the
youth group after experiencing ‘Meeting & Music’…teens
talking to teens…
Upstairs: a panel discussion for adults that
included: Storm Field (weatherman), Andrew
J. Spano (Westchester County Executive), Janet DiFiore (Westchester
District Attorney), Frank Mitchell (Commissioner, Dept. Community
Mental Health), Andrea Fallick (Student Assistant Services) and
Jonathan Katz [Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons & Significant Others
(JACS) & Jewish Board for
Family & Children Services (JBFCS)].
Event Organizer - Frank Hassid (center), Executive Director
JCC
on the Hudson, looking sharp amongst Crazy James
"The participation of Road Recovery in our underage drinking
symposium was priceless. Our teens connected to the "Crazy James" crew
musically and emotionally. I believe it was an experience they will
carry with them as they contemplate the choices they will make in
the future." - Frank Hassid, Executive Director,
JCC on the Hudson
The JCC on the Hudson is dedicated to providing a welcoming setting
to the entire community.
Road Recovery Outreach to 600+ Agawam, Massachusetts High School
Students!
Wednesday, October 15th, 9:00am: Giving back to others
is what drives the members of Road Recovery’s house band
- Crazy James (whose members range in age from 15-25 and who are
all sober) to show up anywhere, anytime, and rock the school house!
With the support of facility and students at Agawam High School
in Agawam, Massachusetts, plus sponsorship support from Reckitt
Benckiser Pharmaceuticals and Agawam
Public Schools, Road Recovery
presented a ‘Music & Meeting’ outreach
concert to over six-hundred members of the freshmen and senior
classes. Additionally, Road Recovery & Crazy James invited
Agawam High School seniors and hip hop lyricists, Andy
Moffitt and Anthony
Masetti to share the stage and open up the show.
Crazy
James performs onstage with their ‘bunny’,
Flaming
Lips style, @ Agawam HS
After the forty-minute concert event, the masses
of more than six-hundred freshmen and seniors moved into classrooms
for small group breakout sessions with each member of Crazy James.
Facilitated by Agawam student peer leaders and faculty counselors,
the breakout sessions allowed each band member the opportunity to
share their stories more in-depth and then field questions. In detail,
Crazy James band members shared how they ‘lived to use drugs & used
them to live’,
expressing they are ‘living examples’ that no matter
how bad life gets…there is a way out! And a better crazy
life to live without getting high!
Ralph
Figy (Center), School Adjustment Counselor, Agawam HS,
with Road
Recovery’s Crazy James
teens and staff
"The Road Recovery ‘outreach’ experience was more
than we ever, ever, expected! The Crazy James band was exciting and
very professional. The break out groups were well attended. The high
school students were engaged with the band members in meaningful
dialogue. All in all it was a fantastic day all around. I would not
hesitate to recommend this to any one looking for an innovative way
to discuss the issue of substance abuse."– Ralph
Figy, School Adjustment Counselor, Agawam High School
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2008 :: Biohazard’s Evan Seinfeld Huddles
with Road Recovery Youth Backstage
Backstage, Irving Plaza, NYC,
10:30pm – Sunday,
October 5, 2008: Biohazard 20 Year Celebration Tour returned
to NYC where it all began. Spawned in Brooklyn, BIOHAZARD, whose
intense fusion of the aggression of hardcore, punk and thrash
metal with the socio-critical commentary and authenticity of
hip-hop earned the band extensive international acclaim selling
millions of records worldwide.
Photo Credit: CRISTEL BROUWER
Founding member, Evan Seinfeld (bassist, vocals) an early active
supporter of Road Recovery since 2000, took advantage of being in
town and hosted a one hour pre-show Master Class huddle with Road
Recovery’s young people in his dressing room before the band’s
festive pounding of their hometown crew!
‘Bunkering down’ in Evan Seinfeld’s
dressing room
with
Road Recovery’s young participants
Spanning more that twenty years of music industry life experiences…Road
Recovery’s youth were deeply touched by Evan Seinfeld’s
invitation to hang-out and discuss openly his trials and tribulations
growing up, playing music, and being forced to come to terms with
his own personal demons or die. His decision to change his behavior
resulted in opening the door to a twenty year journey of self-discovery.
Ever searching for a balanced life, Seinfeld shared his mantra ‘dumb
it down’, keep it simple and realize that all the ‘stuff’ we
strive to achieve outside ourselves will never give us inner peace.
The irony is by coming to terms with the trunk of our tree – the
core of who we are is really hard, but muscling through the pain
yields an indescribable life filled with experiences and relationships
beyond our wildest dreams!
Turning the tables, Evan asked each of his guests to share about
their life and pointed out the power they possessed as a ‘crew’,
their greatest asset, all committed to pulling for each other, helping
each other get through anything.
Meghan B. shares her experiences as Evan Seinfeld listen attentively
"As a sober musician, and seasoned veteran of the road, I feel
enormous gratitude that Road Recovery exists as support and resource
for people like me striving to live on a spiritual path in an environment
so often fueled by drugs and alcohol! Road Recovery is guiding today’s
musical youth towards a path of positive living through sobriety
and fellowship!" - Evan Seinfeld, Musician, Actor, Biohazard
Another
amazing experience with Biohazard’s Evan Seinfeld
(center)
Ever busy and unstoppable…Evan Seinfeld has expanded his
talents into acting appearing on HBO (five seasons on the critically
acclaimed prison drama "Oz") and VH1 ("SuperGroup"),
as well as a column in Stuff Magazine. Additionally, he voiced characters
in the video games "Manhunt," "The
Warriors" and
the forthcoming "Grand Theft Auto IV".
THURSDAY,
OCTOBER 2, 2008 :: Road Recovery Kicks A&E Television’s
Recovery Project Off At High Volume!
Crazy
James’ wakes up 5,000+
gathering at A&E Recovery Rally
9:00am - Saturday, September 27, 2008: Cadman
Plaza Park, Brooklyn, NY was the scene for A&E Television Network’s
Recovery Project rally led by A&E execs, local politicians, non-profit
leaders, and people in recovery from all 50 states. Amassing
more than five thousand people to form a living bridge of recovery
across the Brooklyn Bridge, A&E partnered with the National
Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence (NCADD) and the United
States Department of Health and Human Services to take on New
York City and celebrate people in recovery while
paying tribute to those who support them. Road
Recovery’s house band Crazy
James rocked the crowd and neighborhood…firing up the
bright-eyed mass of thousands before they marched across the
historic Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall Park where the celebration
continued.
Road
Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder (left) and Gene Bowen
(right)
off stage with Robert Lindsey, President and CEO of NCADD
“The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence,
Inc., (NCADD) and our National Network of Affiliates was thrilled
that Road Recovery and Crazy James could join us to be part of
the historic NYC Recovery Rally celebration.
Without question, the 5,000 attendees, people in recovery from
alcohol and drug addiction, their families and those who support
them, loved the music of Crazy James. A&E, in partnership
with NCADD wanted to create an event that would help to change
the public perception, understanding and support for alcoholism,
addiction and recovery. Without question we did that! And,
since the music and musicians in Crazy James music is rooted
in recovery, it was perfect! Thanks for being an important part
of the success of the day!” - Robert J. Lindsey, M.Ed.,
CEAP - President and CEO, National Council on Alcoholism and
Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD)
Crazy James backstage with Robert Lindsey, President and CEO
of NCADD
"One of the highlights of our Recovery Rally was the terrific
performance by Road Recovery's house band Crazy James. Their
spirit, enthusiasm and great musical energy got the entire crowd
moving and smiling as their performance reinforced the celebratory
feeling of the day." - John Hartinger, VP Integrated Marketing,
A&E Network
Ryan
S. and Ryan A. exchange licks on stage
Crazy James, 18 members strong rock the early a.m. in Brooklyn,
NY
Celebrating its 10th anniversary season, the non-profit organization
Road Recovery, together with their youthful house band Crazy
James, reside at the crossroads of education, entertainment,
and mentorship, with music at the heart of everything it does.
Crazy James captures Road Recovery’s spirit and is the
core of one of its most vital programs for young people. Members
of Crazy James range in age from 15 to 25, and have been sober
from one month to over seven years. Crazy James has opened for
major bands such as Squeeze, and performed on stage with guitar
heroes such as Slash (Guns ‘n Roses, Velvet Revolver),
Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Wayne Kramer (MC5), and Tom
Morello (Rage Against the Machine, The Nightwatchman) plus vocalist
Perry Farrell (Jane’s Addiction). Crazy James also performs
its own shows…they write all their own music, and compose
lyrics that draw from their own life experiences, all under the
guidance of music industry professionals whose lives have been
directly affected by substance abuse and other adversities.
MONDAY,
SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 :: Road Recovery Parent Organizes ‘ROCK & RIDE’ Raising
Over $40,000!
Sunday, September 7, 2008: "ROAD
RECOVERY saved my kid…and
now I’m trying to help save yours," was Ed Aussem’s mantra for the past year as he passionately organized Road Recovery’s ‘Rock
and Ride’. Aussem, along with his fellow cycling buddies
and Road Recovery supporters, formed Team Road Recovery as part
of the New York City Century Bike Tour, riding up to 100 miles
each, throughout New York City and its four boroughs.
The Road Recovery ‘Rock
and Ride’ Team of 31 cyclists
delivered on their commitment to ride all day, raising money and
awareness for the New York based non-profit Road Recovery.
Road Recovery Executive Board members Ed Aussem
(ride organizer),
and
Shine, Tiffanie DeBartolo (Bright Antenna)
en route facing
90+
MORE miles to go!
"Thanks
to all the riders who rallied for the Road Recovery cause! The
sea of Road Recovery jerseys at the starting line at 6:18AM on
Sunday really struck me... A dream come true. It symbolized the
support for a great organization from a group of friends and
associates that was overwhelming. Times Square, The Brooklyn Bridge,
Coney Island, The Triborough Bridge, Central Park-all in one sunny,
beautiful day! I can't wait until next year. Keep those donations
coming as we will keep the website open for another 2 weeks to
ensure everyone who wants to contribute can." – Ed Aussem, parent, ‘Rock & Ride’ organizer
Rider,
John Nugent, crosses the finish line to deliver
donations to
Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder
“Road
Recovery was conceived while riding a bicycle 12 years ago and
to think years later an army of bike riders and sponsors such
as Salon
Botanique Eco-Chic and Marty's
Reliable Cycle would come together to tackle New York
City's streets for young people to have a chance at life, free
from the grips of addiction, reaffirms the power of WE! Together,
anything is possible and Ed Aussem ’s
Rock and Ride proved that!"
– Gene Bowen, Road Recovery Founder
Riders - Ryan and Pat Aussem (far right) chill out
at
the
Road Recovery Finish Festival table with Road Recovery Teens
Members
of Road Recovery’s Crazy James working the Finish
Festival booth
ROAD RECOVERY is dedicated to helping young people
battle addiction and other adversities by harnessing the influence
of entertainment industry professionals who have confronted similar
crises and now wish to share their experience and knowledge.
With
support from the mental health field, ROAD RECOVERY provides hands-on
mentorship training, educational/performance workshops, peer-support
networking, and “all access” to real-life
opportunities by collaborating with young people to create and
present live-concert events.
Road
Recovery ‘Rock & Ride’ Team:
Hagen Amarell
Lisa Armstrong
Ed Aussem
Pat Aussem
Ryan Aussem
Amanda Beyer
David Beyer
Scott Bienenfeld
Tom Bopp
Eric Bopp
Gene Bowen
Meghan Breen
Tiffanie ‘SHINE’ DeBartolo
David Dworkin
Marty Epstein
Jimmy Gnecco
Ben Heldfond
Kevin Jackson
John Kelly
Ron Marks
Therese McEntee
John Nugent
Dan O' Byrne
Tim Omaggio
Keri Orlovsky
RACE
Bill Ruddick
Scott Schumaker
Paul Shaskan
Sandy Stiles
Wayne Sonnylal
‘Rock and Riders’-
Meghan Breen, David Beyer, and daughter Amanda Beyer
“The ride was amazing. There isn't a lot I wouldn't do to
support Road Recovery, it's my heart. Next time 102 miles, and
bare feet!” – Meghan Breen
“This was a great bonding experience for Amanda and me.
We pushed each other to do it and we did it!! Best part is that
Amanda kept the bike and is now using it as her primary source
of transportation. No more subways and buses just great exercise.” – David
Beyer
‘Rock and Ride’ organizer Ed Aussem (left) with Road
Recovery’s
Gene Bowen and Dr. Scott at the finish line.
"We rocked the ride and the ride rocked us, but we rolled
on and on to save the kids!...will definitely be back next year." - Scott Bienenfeld, M.D.
Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise!
“I love riding in the NYC Century. Riding this year for
Road Recovery made it a more meaningful experience. Lots of people
asked about Road Recovery because of the special edition jersey.” -
Marty Epstein, Marty's Reliable Cycle
Indie
record label, Bright Antenna, execs Scott Schumaker
and Shine,
Tiffanie DeBartolo after the ride…
"The success of this
event was just more proof that Road Recovery inspires us all to
reach above and beyond what we think we are capable of, in so many
aspects of our lives." –Shine,
Tiffanie DeBartolo
Jimmy
Gnecco (left) and OURS bandmate RACE (right)
with
Road Recovery’s
Gene Bowen
“Ride for Road Recovery? I needed some recovery from
the road ride. The only group of people that I would get such a
sore ass for.” – Jimmy Gnecco, Ours
A
quick stop at Nathan’s for a hot dog before breakfast
“What an incredible and fulfilling experience! Knowing I
was riding for such a worthwhile cause helped me push through the
physically tough times and I was able to complete 75 miles with
a smile on my face!” – Lisa Armstrong, Rider
Riders
Therese McEntee and Dan O’ Byrne somewhere in Queens
“Great weather, spirited company, what a way to see our
fabulous city from a whole range of new angles and raise a few
bucks for Road Recovery while we’re at it” - Dan O'
Byrne
Thanks to all the ‘Rock and Ride’ sponsors
and supporters
who made this fundraising event possible!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2008 :: Road Recovery Summer ’08 - Squeeze,
Keb Mo, Matt Pinfield, King Crimson & A Whole Lot More!
Road Recovery’s house band, Crazy
James, opens SQUEEZE Foxborough, MA Gig!
Squeeze
founding member and long time supporter of Road Recovery, Chris
Difford, invited Road Recovery’s house band Crazy
James to open up for his band’s standing room only New
England gig @ Showcase Live! in Foxborough, Massachusetts on
Tuesday, August 26th. Difford graciously introduced Crazy James
onstage and urged everyone to take notice of this amazing 15
plus member group! Crazy James delivered a short and very sweet
20 minute set bringing the house down with their cover of Nick
Lowe’s tune - What’s So Funny ‘bout Peace,
Love, and Understanding made famous by Elvis Costello.
"I’m really inspired and happy to have
Crazy James open for us…I only wish it could be for
the whole tour floating around together in a sober bus!"
– Chris
Difford
Crazy James onstage with Chris Difford (center) founding member
of Squeeze
Crazy James performs to a packed house of Squeeze fans
Audio Engineer, John
Schirmer, hosts Road Recovery Master Class Series and Jam with
blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter – Keb’ Mo’ during
his Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City stop.
2:00pm,
Friday, August 22 – Road Recovery young-ins turned
up at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom at the invitation
of Keb’ Mo’s front of house engineer/production manager
, John Schirmer, to learn about his career and life experiences
as an audio engineer (live & in the studio) as he prepared
for the night’s sold-out show. During his boss Keb’ Mo’s
sound check, Road Recovery program participant and blues harmonica
player Ian B. was invited onstage by John Schirmer and Keb’ Mo’ to
jam with his band!!
"Road Recovery lifts every soul!"
– Keb’ Mo’
"There are moments in life and in music production
where if you blink you miss something magical. Working with Road
Recovery was like having my eyes taped open; I didn't miss a
moment, just the kids....when the day was over."
- John Schirmer, FOH
engineer, Production Manager
FOH engineer, Production Manager, John Schirmer (second from left)
at
Mix position with Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder (far
left)
and Road Recovery program participants
Road Recovery program participant and blues harmonica
player
Ian
B. jams with Keb’ Mo’ and band
Keb’ Mo’ and Road Recovery’s
Gene Bowen reminisce about
their days on the road with Fiddler,
Papa John Creach
Year #3 - Road Recovery Travels
to Haines, Alaska To Partner With Local ‘Voices Project’ Program.
Saturday,
August 16-Sunday, August 24th. For the third consecutive year,
Road Recovery staff (involving teen & young adult leaders
from Road Recovery’s Keeping It Real program in NYC) traveled
far and wide to collaborate with Haines, Alaska teenagers, local
artists, and mental health clinicians associated with the Voices
Project*. Road Recovery’s crew shared their personal ‘sober’ life
experiences and artistry via daily recovery meetings and creative
rehearsals jam packed into five days. The culmination of their
joint efforts yielded life changing experiences for everyone involved,
concluding in a performance onstage for the community of 1,800
Haines residences.
*The Voices Project’s mission is to increase
education and awareness about the effects of substance abuse on
people’s lives.
"Road Recovery is such an inspiring
organization. I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into,
but I’m really
glad and appreciative that I was able to be a part of it. The
Road Recovery team has such energy, insight, and inspiration...
it really showed. Their energy was magnetic, as everyone in the
community wanted to get to know them and learn from what they
are able to offer."
- Malene
Gajewski, Voices Project Coordinator, Haines, Alaska
Road Recovery’s Charles McTavish collaborates
with
Voices
Project participant
Road Recovery staff and Voices Project teen participants
Voices Project teens horn section gets ready
The Agency Group – provides
Road Recovery Access to King Crimson final New York City performance.
Winding
up a four night sold-out run at New York’s Nokia
Theatre on Broadway (August 14-17th), Road Recovery young adults
were front and center for King Crimson’s final performance
experience of Robert Fripp, Tony Levin, Adrian Belew,
Pat Mastelotto,
and Gavin Harrison.
"Seeing the talented group of
musicians in King Crimson play live was a really humbling experience.
Like any musician would, I totally appreciate the playing that
goes on when these guys get together to perform. I thank Road
Recovery and The Agency Group for giving me the opportunity
to watch the show at the Nokia in Times Square."
- Michael Von Linkens
Michael Von Linkens (center) and company outside the Nokia Theater
(NYC)
Matt Pinfield - Music Personality, TV
Host (MTV, VH1) Record Producer, and DJ to name a few of his
talents…showed up at Road Recovery
headquarters on Friday, August 1st and took control – hosting
a one hour + Master Class with Road Recovery teens!
"I think Road Recovery is an amazing
organization! Road Recovery’s programs give direction to young people by helping
them follow their passion for music or whatever…find something
you love, focus on it and let it unfold is what Road Recovery is
all about!"
– Matt Pinfield, Radio & TV DJ/Personality,
Music Producer
Matt Pinfield (center) hangs with Road Recovery’s
(L-R) Jack Bookbinder,
Gene Bowen, and Owen Comaskey
Matt Pinfield (center) huddles with Road Recovery teen participants
and staff
Crazy James Provides Outreach
to St. Vincent’s
Hospital Westchester Patients, Performing Six Unplugged Sets.
Monday
- July 14th – In the span of three hours, teen/young
adult members from Road Recovery’s Keeping It Real program
in NYC performed acoustically and shared their life experiences
with adolescents to senior citizens patients in six psychiatric
care units at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Harrison, NY.
"I’m
sending out a giant 'Thank You' to the
young people from Road Recovery for last night! Their profound performance
and message is still resonating throughout the halls of St. Vincent's
Westchester Hospital. It was an absolute pleasure for everyone to
see such talented, sincere, gracious, and grateful young people.
I feel truly blessed to have witnessed such hope in the future through
these young people! Please be sure to send them my personal regards
and best wishes for their continued success." - Barbara Halla,
Nurse Manager - St. Vincent's Hospital-Westchester
Barbara Halla (center), Nurse Manager - St.
Vincent's Hospital-Westchester,
with teen/young adult members from
Road Recovery’s Keeping
It Real
program in NYC
St.
Vincent’s Hospital Westchester
Bassist & Master Instrument Craftsman/Technician
- Rick Mullen Shares His Tricks with Road Recovery Youth!
In
July ’08 - Rick Mullen was introduced to Road Recovery
and instantly welcomed Eric G. (Road Recovery 21 year old program
participant) into his guitar workshop to learn the art of instrument
repair, maintenance and restoration. Rick is generously donating
his time and skills to servicing Road Recovery’s worn and
torn guitars and basses while passing on his knowledge to the next
generation through Eric G. For more information on Rick Mullen,
visit: www.rickmullen.net
"With Road Recovery in our corner, there's
hope in helping our young people avoid making the same mistakes
we did. I’m
honored to be able to be a Road Recovery mentor, relating my life
experiences to help others. Young people are our future and they
need our support more than ever." - Rick Mullen, Bassist & Instrument
Craftsman/Technician
Rick Mullen, Bassist & Instrument Craftsman/Technician
Eric G. (left) in the shop with Bassist & Instrument
Craftsman/Technician,
Rick Mullen
FRIDAY,
August 1, 2008 :: Rock & Ride For Road Recovery Supporting
A 100 Mile Bike Ride!
Pledge Your Support!
New York, NY – August 1,
2008 -- Rock and Ride for Road Recovery on Sunday, September 7,
2008 supporting a 100 mile bike ride, when parents, supporters,
and staff join together to raise funds and awareness for the remarkable
organization devoted to empowering young people who have battled
addiction and other adversities to find their way toward a sober
and healthy future.
"ROAD RECOVERY saved my kid…and now I’m
trying to help save yours," said Ed Aussem, father, rider, and
organizer. Team Road Recovery is part of the New
York City Century Bike Tour and twenty plus team members plan to ride up to 100
miles each, throughout New York City and its boroughs to raise
money for the New York based non-profit Road Recovery, which
enlists today’s leading music industry professionals who
have dealt with their own personal adversities as role models
and mentors to work with the young people of Road Recovery.
HOW YOU can help…Make a tax-deductible Donation,
Sponsor a Rider, Join the Team ONLINE by clicking anywhere on
the image below:
WEDNESDAY, July 2, 2008 :: Ringo
Starr & Pearl Jam ‘Come Together’ for Road Recovery
Teens!
During
their recent New York area tour stops, Ringo Starr & His
Allstarr Band (Friday, June 27th- PNC Bank Arts Center)
and Pearl Jam (Wednesday, June 25th - Madison
Square Garden) invited Road Recovery teens to experience their
shows up front and very much alive!
"Wow,
Pearl Jam and Ringo Starr all in the same week! I’m grateful
and lucky for these amazing opportunities because of Road Recovery’s
friends who really care about us!" – Eric G. (Road Recovery program participant)
Thanks To: Ringo Starr & David Hart, Steve Martin (The
Agency Group, Road Recovery Executive Board), Susan Silver
(Manager), Smitty & Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam) for making
it possible for Road Recovery’s teens to witness these
incredible shows.
Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard
FRIDAY,
June 6, 2008 :: Dartmouth College, Duran Duran, Warwick & Delaware
Valley High Schools Present Road Recovery!
MAY 2008: Road Recovery receives
Ivy League recognition and legendary rock band support
while providing outreach to area high schools.
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE: Fourth Annual Dartmouth Symposium on Substance
Use
A national conference for addiction professionals,
educators, healthcare providers, justice workers, Dartmouth students
and alumni and other community members interested in addressing
the challenges of substance use in society.
Road Recovery: Harnessing
the Power of Music to Support Youth Recovery.
Presented By: Scott Bienenfeld, M.D. Dartmouth College – ‘92,
NYU School of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine,
with an ‘unplugged’ performance by youth members
of Crazy James, Road Recovery’s
house band.
Road Recovery’s ‘unplugged’ Crazy James bandmates
with Alan I. Green, M.D. Chairman Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth
Medical School (right center) & Scott Bienenfeld, M.D. (far
right) after Dr. Bienenfeld’s presentation on Road Recovery.
"As an alumni of Dartmouth College
and an addiction psychiatrist, I have the pleasure of presenting
Road Recovery, an innovative and effective community-based
recovery program for adolescents and young adults trying to
stay sober. Road Recovery is a cutting edge program that harnesses
the power of the music industry and the arts in order to offer
teens an alternative to drug and alcohol abuse. This grassroots
organization has been in existence for ten years and has blossomed
into a national endeavor reaching thousands of teenagers and
young adults." – Scott Bienenfeld,
M.D.
“Road Recovery is an impressive program
toward maintaining recovery!” – Alan I. Green, M.D. Chairman Department
of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School
Road Recovery’s ‘unplugged’ Crazy
James band performs to standing ovations at the Fourth Annual
Dartmouth College Symposium on Substance Use
DURAN DURAN: ‘Live’ at
Rumsey Playfield, Central Park – NYC.
Long time Road Recovery supporters John
Taylor - Duran Duran founding member & bassist and
his manager – Wendy
Laister (Magus Entertainment) continued their support
by inviting Road Recovery young adult participants along with
students from Orange County, New York’s Warwick Valley
High School (who attended Road Recovery’s community outreach
earlier that day) to see Duran Duran perform at Central Park
and to hang backstage with ALL ACCESS privileges after the
gig.
Warwick Valley High School students, & author – Lynn
Marie Smith (Rolling Away)(center, purple shirt) join Road Recovery
program participants backstage with Duran Duran’s John
Taylor (rear right).
Duran Duran’s John Taylor chats with Road Recovery
teens
backstage
after the bands charged Central Park gig.
Long time supporter and friend, Duran Duran manager – Wendy
Laister (Magus Entertainment) gets big hugs from Road Recovery’s
Gene Bowen for her unending support over the years!
Warwick Valley High School,
Orange County, NY: Road Recovery ‘Music & Discussion’ Outreach. Capacity: 200+ (sophomores) Sponsored by: Warwick Valley Central School District, Warwick,
NY
"The Road Recovery outreach event hosted by our school
district literally sent shockwaves through the entire educational
community. By openly sharing their powerful message through their
music, the young members of Crazy James moved everyone in attendance.
The young were forced to confront the fact that they are key
players in the shaping of their futures, and adults were reminded
of how fortunate they are to have the opportunity to work with
adolescents each day. The thing that has stayed in my mind since
the event is how Road Recovery was able to quietly "unfreeze" the
existing equilibrium of our school's culture, and "refreeze" it
so that everyone who was there left somehow changed. An hour
hadn't passed and the Road Recovery crew and Crazy James were
deeply missed.. After two hours, we were thinking about how we
could get them to return.” - Richard Linkens, Director
of English, Social Studies, and Academic Intervention Services
Warwick Valley Central School District
Crazy James onstage @ Warwick Valley High School,
Orange County, NY
Crazy James band hang with Warwick Valley
High ‘crew’ and staff (Rich Linkens, center kneeling)
who made Road Recovery’s outreach event a reality!
Delaware Valley High
School, Milford, PA: Road Recovery ‘Music & Discussion’ Outreach Capacity: 600 (freshman) Sponsored by: Delaware Valley School District, Students Against
Substance Abuse, Teens Against Tobacco Use, Area Drug Awareness & Prevention
Team, Delaware Valley Education Association, Carbon/Monroe/Pike
Drug & Alcohol Council, Pike County Teen Alcohol & Drug
Resource Center
“Road Recovery’s Crazy James band concert and interactive
discussion groups provided an effective, inviting and non-threatening
message about the reality of addiction and the benefits of healthy
living from teens and young adults involved in Road Recovery’s
program. Our high school students actually paid attention to
the message and music, AND, most importantly – actively
participated in Road Recovery’s discussion groups.” – Joseph
W. Casmus, 11th & 12th Grade Principal, Delaware
Valley High School District
Crazy James onstage delivering a 40 minute set that
caused
Delaware Valley High School students to storm the stage!
Crazy James band’s power packed performance caused
600
Delaware Valley High students to leave their seats!
Crazy James after show autograph signing with
600
Delaware
Valley High School students.
MONDAY,
MAY 12, 2008 :: Road Recovery’s 10th Anniversary
Benefit Concert Makes History! The DeBartolo Family Foundation & Tom
Morello’s Justice Tour ’08 present the non-profit’s
10 year celebration.
Thursday,
April 17th – Nokia Theatre, Broadway, NYC: Slash
(Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver), Tom Morello (Rage Against
The Machine, Audioslave), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Perry Farrell (Jane’s
Addiction), Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), comedian - Denis
Leary, Joseph Arthur, Sen Dog (Cypress Hill), Jakob Dylan (The
Wallflowers), Ours/Jimmy Gnecco, Miggs, Crazy James together
with kids from Road Recovery’s programs rocked together!
In 1998, Road Recovery founders Gene Bowen (tour manager) & Jack
Bookbinder (artist manager) set out to build a foundation whose
goal would be to impact the lives of young people through the
efforts of entertainment industry professionals, supported by
mental health clinicians, to help at-risk youth navigate their
way towards a promising future.
Bowen and Bookbinder envisioned the day when youth,
some considered outcasts in society, would share a Broadway
stage with some of rock music’s superstars. With the
help of countless dedicated music industry professionals and
the mental health field, Bowen and Bookbinder’s dream
became a reality and history was made on April 17, 2008 at
the Nokia Theater - Times Square during Road Recovery’s
10 year celebration.
REHEARSAL:
DeBartolo Family Foundation, Justice Tour, Crazy James
with
Road
Recovery staff. PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Schumaker
Crazy James and Justice Tour performers PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Schumaker
Wayne Kramer leading Crazy James PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Schumaker
Crazy James in rehearsal PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
Tom Morello, Perry Farrell PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
Crazy James in rehearsal PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
SOUND CHECK:
Crazy James vocals backed by Wayne Kramer PHOTO CREDIT:
Ann Price
Denis Leary, Slash PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Kanterman
Tom Morello, Perry Farrell PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Kanterman
Road Recovery kids with workshop music staff member Ladell McLin PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
Tiffanie DeBartolo, Jimmy Gnecco, Joseph Arthur, Jen Turner PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
Crazy James jams with Jerry Cantrell PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
Managers Susan Silver (Alice in Chains) and
Margaret Saadi
Kramer (Wayne Kramer) PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
ROAD
RECOVERY'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY BENEFIT CONCERT:
View some Amazing Photos
taken
of some of the night's
featured Artists...
Female vocals of Crazy James PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Schumaker
Overhead shot of crowd at Nokia Theater, Times Square
Members of the Justice Tour supergroup: Tom Morello,
Slash,
Perry
Farrell & Breckin Meyer
Road Recovery Benefit presented by Tom Morello's Justice
Tour '08
and
the DeBartolo Family Foundation.
Pictured:
Tom Morello & Tiffanie DeBartolo PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Schumaker
Road Recovery kids perform at the Nokia Theater, Times
Square PHOTO
CREDIT: Paul Kanterman
Slash performs onstage with a ‘blown away’ Crazy
James PHOTO CREDIT: Levi Pervin
Tom Morello, Wayne Kramer & Slash perform
onstage
to support Crazy James PHOTO CREDIT: Levi Pervin
Pink Floyd’s "Wish You Were Here"
performed by
Jerry Cantrell,
Slash & Carl Restivo PHOTO CREDIT: Levi Pervin
Road Recovery kids (ages 6 to 13) perform on stage at the Nokia PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Schumaker
In addition to the DeBartolo Family, their supporters,
and Tom Morello’s Justice Tour '08, Road Recovery’s
10 Year Anniversary Benefit Concert was made possible through
the generous efforts of:
Road Recovery’s Executive Board
Road Recovery’s Clinical Staff and Creative Staff
Steve Martin & The Agency Group
Padilla, Speer & Beardsley Public Relations
Dworkin & CO
Margaret Kramer
Susan Silver
Blair Dickerson
Nick Lawson
Bartow Church/Anna Urban
The Nokia Theatre staff
Road Recovery parents & volunteers
JBFCS (Jewish Board of Family & Children’s Services)
Boost Mobile
Condom Cents
Jeff Buckley Music
Caron Treatment Centers (NY Recovery Center)
MONDAY,
APRIL 21, 2008: Road Recovery’s Gene Bowen Receives
National Child Labor Committee Lewis Hine Award.
NEW YORK - The National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) 23rd Annual
Lewis Hine Awards were presented at the Time Warner Center in
New York City on Monday, March 31st to Ten Unsung Heroes for
Outstanding Service to Children and Youth.
Named for the acclaimed photographer who documented early twentieth
century exploitation of child labor, the Lewis Hine Awards for
Service to Children and Youth are bestowed annually to ten relatively
unknown men and women for their efforts on behalf of the health,
education, and welfare of children and youth, particularly those
at risk. The Lewis Hine Awards are given to unheralded professionals
and volunteers who devote extraordinary time and energy to helping
children and youth. The recipients, who come from many walks
of life and from across the United States, are selected by a
panel of distinguished judges from nominations submitted by elected
officials and community leaders.
"These awards offer us an opportunity to acknowledge the
extraordinary efforts of people doing extraordinary things on
behalf of young people. We applaud and elevate their work and
dedication in the hope that they are an example for the rest
of us to be agents of change in our society." said John
W. Lee II, the 2008 Awards Chairman
Gene Bowen (left) & Dr. Scott Bienenfeld,
who nominated Bowen
for the Lewis Hine Award, enjoy the moment
during the post award
reception at the Time Warner Center in New
York City.
About the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC):
The National Child
Labor Committee is a national nonprofit organization dedicated
to the well-being of children and youth in the fields of work and
education. Founded in 1904 and incorporated by an Act of Congress
in 1907, the mission of NCLC is to promote the rights, dignity,
well-being, and education of children and youth as they relate
to work and the workplace. In its eleventh decade, the NCLC continues
the work of its founding visionaries as a leading force in ensuring
child labor law compliance, transforming the workplace into a learning
environment, improving employment and training opportunities for
older youth, and securing youth occupational safety and health.
Additional information about the organization and its programs
can be found at: www.nationalchildlabor.org.
FRIDAY,
MARCH 21, 2008 :: Road Recovery at SXSW Music Conference 2008.
FULLBRIGHT & Jaworski,
L.L.P. Attorneys at Law, Jeff Buckley Music, & Gibson Foundation
Sponsor Road Recovery!
March 11-15th – Road
Recovery receives widespread music industry support in Austin,
Texas & Tulsa,
Oklahoma
SXSW 2008 MUSIC & MEDIA CONFERENCE, Austin, TX: For
the third consecutive year, Road Recovery continued to gain wide
support from the music industry as the non-profit organization
expanded its involvement at the SXSW Music Conference by orchestrating
an outreach event by partnering with four Austin-based youth
support organizations: DOA (Disease of Addiction),
PDAP (Palmer Drug Abuse Program), The University of Texas Center
for Students in Recovery and Shoal Creek Hospital. Road Recovery’s trip
and youth outreach in Austin at the SXSW Music Conference was
underwritten by FULLBRIGHT & Jaworski, L.L.P Attorneys at
Law and Jeff Buckley Music.
Music Trade Show/SXSW Music Conference Big
Bag Insert: Front & Center,
Road Recovery’s Music Trade Show booth #109 was strategically
situated next to the MusiCares Foundation booth by SXSW organizers
for easy access to thousands of SXSW Trade Show visitors discovering
Road Recovery for the first time, while allowing friends and
supporters to easily find founders Jack Bookbinder & Gene
Bowen. SXSW registrants from companies as diverse as iTunes and
High Times Magazine, as well as music industry legends such as
Steve Martin (President, The Agency Group) and producer Hal
Willner visited the Road Recovery booth during the 4-day conference.
Joining the effort, Mary Guibert (Jeff Buckley
Music) sponsored
Road Recovery’s booth and info packets inserted into 15,000
SXSW Music Conference Big Bag. Beyond this sponsorship effort,
Mrs. Guibert rolled up her sleeves and ‘momed’ the
booth throughout the three-day trade show and youth outreach
event on March 15th. The Gibson Foundation donated an Epiphone
Hummingbird acoustic guitar and an Epiphone
Les Paul electric
guitar, which were part of a $1.00 ticket raffle giveaway that
involved over five-hundred (500) SXSW Music Conference registrants.
SXSW Trade Show booth neighbors (left) Mary
Guibert (Jeff Buckley
Music/Road Recovery supporter/sponsor) & Shireen
Janti (MusiCares)
find a moment to hang out during the busy 3 day
exhibition.
High Times magazine Associate Publisher, Richard
Cusick (left)
& Gene
Bowen (Road Recovery) surprisingly discover they share
similar
views about the disease of drug addiction.
(l-r) Hal Willner (legendary music producer),old
friend Mary Guibert
(Jeff Buckley Music/Road Recovery supporter/sponsor) & Jack
Bookbinder
(Road Recovery) meet up at Road Recovery’s SXSW
Trade Show booth.
(l-r) Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder, Steve Martin (President,
The
Agency Group/Road Recovery board member), & Gene Bowen
(Road
Recovery) promote Road Recovery’s 10 Year Anniversary
Concert
Benefit @ the SXSW Trade Show.
Gibson Foundation’s donated Epiphone
Hummingbird
acoustic
guitar $1.00 raffle ticket winner teen and his
proud papa holds
on tight to his new guitar!
(l-r) Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder
presents musician - ORBO
from Norway with his new electric guitar,
an Epiphone Les Paul after
purchasing only one, $1.00 raffle ticket
@ the Road Recovery SXSW booth.
Music Festival: Billy
Bragg, Eldar, Blue Rodeo, Alpha Rev, Oh Susanna, & Ladyfingers
perform MMF – US
SXSW Music Showcase and Pre-Show Networking Party.
Music Managers Forum-US is a non-profit trade group organization
formed to protect the rights of recording artists, music producers,
DJs and music managers through education, communication and
public policy work. In alliance and support of Road Recovery,
the MMF–US board promoted
Road Recovery’s efforts to artists managers in attendance
via an information booth for both a 3-hour pre-show networking
party at Club 115 (Austin) and a 5-hour SXSW music showcase at
the old Copper Tank venue in Austin.
(l-r) Jack Bookbinder (Road Recovery & MMF-US Board Member),
legendary
artist manager - Pink Floyd, The Clash, Peter Jenner (Manager
-
Billy Bragg, secretary-general of the International Music Managers'
Forum
- IMMF), Artist – Billy Bragg, & Gene
Bowen (Road Recovery)
stand united for the cause after Billy Bragg’s
MMF – US SXSW Music
Pre-Show Networking Party performance.
(l-r) Jack Bookbinder (Road Recovery & MMF-US
Board Member),
Alan
Wolmark (Manager – Eldar, MMF-US Board Member),
Grammy
Nominated Artist – Eldar, & Gene Bowen (Road Recovery)
connect
after Eldar’s breathtaking MMF – US SXSW Music
Showcase performance.
The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello) fires up the SXSW Austin crowd
in
anticipation of his upcoming The Justice Tour 2008 performance
at
Road Recovery’s 10 Year Anniversary Benefit Concert in
NYC on
Thursday, April 17th @ the Nokia Theatre.
Oklahoma friends – Colour Music deliver
a floor shaking performance
during
their SXSW World’s Fair showcase performance!
Quintessential L.A. punk rockers “X” reunite
@ SXSW!
“X” guitarist – Billy
Zoom extends a hand to lifelong “X” fan
Jack Bookbinder
(Road Recovery) swept away in the packed
crowd of astonished fans.
Community Outreach: Capitalizing on
the power of the SXSW Music & Media
Conference, Road Recovery organized a private one-hour Road
Recovery Master Class Series* with Austin based musicians;
bassist - Tommy Shannon (Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double
Trouble), guitarist - Phil Brown, singer/songwriter/guitarist
- Casey McPherson (Alpha Rev) and bassist -
Leland Parks (Mike Milligan and The Alter Boyz) for
approximately 20 high school teens and college students from
the Austin community. Road Recovery partnered with four local
organizations; DOA (Disease of
Addiction) - Danni
Morford, Gina Harlow, Donah Matza, Connor Finnigan, PDAP
(Palmer Drug Abuse Program), and The University
of Texas Center for Students in Recovery and Shoal Creek Hospital.
Feeling the connection – Road Recovery staff & supporters,
high school
teens, college students, community support organizations, & Austin
based
musicians come together after Road Recovery’s Master
Class
Series outreach event during SXSW Music & Media Conference.
"The Road Recovery Master Class held in
Austin during South by Southwest was inspiring and even magical.
You could see how the lucky young people that attended the
event were engaged and touched. The connection we witnessed
between the Road Recovery group and the students, the sincerity,
genuine caring, the way they listened was really amazing. Road
Recovery's unique way of reaching youth through music and the
powerful message of the musicians themselves can't be compared.
Like our organization, they want to make and difference and
they want to do it differently." – DOA
(Disease of Addiction) Board: Danni Morford, Gina Harlow, Donah
Matza, Connor Finnigan
*Road Recovery's Master Class Series provides
teens and young adults access, insight and understanding to
life opportunities and life experiences. Road Recovery’s Master Class Series
brings together professionals from the entertainment industry
whose lives have been touched by addiction and other adversities
and now wish to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Road Recovery’s Master Class Series is an interactive discussion
and exchange between Road Recovery music industry supporters
and young adults participating in Road Recovery’s Master
Class.
Caines Ballroom , Tulsa,
OK: Singer/Songwriter, Spoken Word Artist, Author, Actor, and
Publisher – Henry
Rollins continued his support for the New York based non-profit
by inviting Road Recovery’s Tulsa, Oklahoma supporter,
country music drummer and Vietnam Veteran – Jim
Bell to
attend his Caines Ballroom gig during his ‘Provoked’ World
Tour. Rollins, whose relentless charge in speaking out for justice,
including veterans rights and our nations wounded, requested
Mr. Bell, who served as radio operator [R.T.O.] with the 9th
Infantry Division throughout the Tet Offensive be present with
fellow comrades, for his March 11th Tulsa, Oklahoma show.
Road
Recovery’s 10th Anniversary Benefit Concert – April
17, 2008
ROAD RECOVERY MISSION:www.roadrecovery.org
Through mentoring, educational and live performance based-programs,ROAD
RECOVERY's goal is to help young people find their way towards
a healthy future. Established in 1998, ROAD RECOVERY, a non-profit
501(c)(3) organization, is comprised of entertainment industry
professionals whose lives have been touched by addiction and other
adversities and now wish to make a positive impact on the lives
of others.
The DeBartolo Family Foundation Mission:www.debartolofamilyfoundation.com
The mission of the DeBartolo Family Foundation, a non-profit corporation
founded by the Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. family, is to provide leadership
and financial resources to extraordinary organizations and individuals
to improve the community.
"The Justice Tour 2008" "is a musical
battering ram for human rights. We have come together to use our
guitars, drums, and microphones to fight for the poor, the abused,
and the dispossessed...and have a great rocking time while we're
doing it." – Tom Morello
MONDAY,
MARCH 3, 2008:: Teeing Off With Henry Rollins!
Singer/Songwriter, Spoken Word Artist, Author, Actor, and Publisher Hosts Road
Recovery’s ‘Master Class’
Thursday, February 28, 2008 – Greenpoint, Brooklyn,
NY – WARSAW
concert hall: Henry Rollins ‘Provoked’ World Tour: Sitting
in his dressing room alone with his laptop and a converted toolbox
for a suitcase, Henry Rollins, wasting no time, welcomed Road
Recovery staff, teens and young adults to sit with him and talk
about his life and theirs.
Growing up in the 1980’s in
Washington, DC, Henry explained that aside from meeting his basic
needs of food, shelter and a good high school education, his
parents left it up to him to figure out the rest. A job at a
local ice cream store filling cones and working the cash register
made him realize what it was like being stuck earning minimum
wage; doing the same task over and over for barely a few coins,
DEAD END!
His passion was live music. He was inspired by bands on tour,
for they were in motion, moving forward, doing what they loved.
In 1983 Henry Rollins hit the road as Black Flag’s vocalist
and he has not stopped since…musician, spoken word artist,
author and actor, he continues at the age of 47, moving forward
all over the planet.
Henry Rollins (second from right) full on during his Master
Class
exchange with Road Recovery’s teens & staff in his dressing room.
“Don’t get caught up in trying to figure out what
you’re gonna be when you grow up, that’s impossible
to answer at any young age. Just do something, anything that’s
positive, don’t sit on your couch or blow things up, just
do something and be open, even if you don’t know what you
want to do, boredom leads to destruction AND [be mindful that]
the distractions [in life] will kill you. If you go down that
path, it’s a dead end.”
My mantra is: Resolve & Discipline & Tenacity. For resolve,
I say each day “I’m not stopping; I keep trying,
at something.”
“You can do it, when you come out of the womb, you’re
equipped with all the right stuff. All you have to do is change
your mind. You can do it in small steps. A setback is useful
as a lesson. A triumph is useful as a lesson.”
“Success is doing what you want to do, on your own terms…and
that takes Resolve, Discipline & Tenacity on an hourly basis.”
“Get around the idea that you’re ‘no good’.
Get around the ‘snares & barbs’ [of American
society]. Get INTO yourself, look at your own shit and you will
achieve. Every time you get arrested, go to jail, get caught
up in the drug scene, be institutionalized, the man wins. The
man is the system that will control you and profit monetarily
from incarcerating you. I get up each day and stick it to the
man by taking care of myself and then going after things that
need to be done. I channel my ‘civic’ anger by sticking
it to the man each and every day”.
Henry Rollins is ‘stickin’ it to the man by donating
his time and money to worthy charities and groups, by traveling
to various countries to experience other cultures and by communicating
through spoken word tours and music projects to be influenced
by what he sees, experiences and learns from other people along
his travels.
Henry Rollins (third from right), Road Recovery’s
young
adults
with the non-profit's co-founder Jack Bookbinder (far left).
"It was very nice meeting with all of you from Road Recovery.
The biggest disservice you can do is to ignore or deny your potential,
it’s quite limitless, take control as it can be the difference
between pass & fail."– Henry
Rollins
The Henry Rollins style of saying "NICE TO MEET YOU"
Gene
Bowen
(Road Recovery founder, right)
"I never imagined making it alive to my 21. Today, I celebrated
my 21st birthday today by not getting drunk, but with support
from my family, Road Recovery and Henry Rollins. To sit with
Henry and exchange ideas and feelings is nothing I could have
ever dreamed. I will never forget this day as long as I live." – Eric
G.
Eric G. (left) celebrates his 21st Birthday with Henry Rollins!
Henry Rollins (second from right) rattles off some suggested
reading;
Tom Wolfe, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Chalmers Johnson, and
Albert Camus.
MONDAY,
FEBRUARY 4, 2008 :: Road Recovery Goes Phish’n with Trey
Anastasio!
Singer/Songwriter Participates in Road Recovery’s Master Class Series
Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - Schuylerville,
NY – population:
1,372: Road Recovery teen participants, entertainment industry
supporters and Road Recovery staff caravanned 180 miles from
NYC to a meeting room above Dwell, the home of KOBO pure soy
candles where proprietor Louis Hotchkiss graciously hosted Road
Recovery’s Master Class with PHISH frontman - Trey Anastasio.
Sharing a funny tale about himself, Trey Anastasio’s
infectious laughter
captivates everyone’s attention during
his Road Recovery Master Class.
Like the fluency of his signature jams, Trey Anastasio led Road
Recovery Master Class participants through a 3 hour journey seamlessly
weaving an interactive discussion of personnel accounts of his
childhood, the inner creative evolution of Phish, life on the
road, of music’s power to unite people, fames fleeting
lining, and humbly shared his shortcomings as a man, father,
and celebrity. Trey concluded his discussion by unveiling a NEW
untitled song that incorporated many of the sentiments expressed
during his round circle Master Class.
Trey Anastasio performs NEW music during his Master Class.
Trey dismantled any awkwardness between himself and the Road
Recovery crew of strangers by instantly seeking information about
the teens’ experiences, citing connections and similarities
to his own life. Trey’s openness and interest in hearing
from the group of teens led to a lively discussion about life
and the commonalities that forever unite us all in our human
condition.
After everything was said and done, Trey connected with everyone
by picking up his guitar and jamming with Road Recovery teen
guitarist - Ryan Aussem. Everyone witnessed how two perfect strangers
communicated clearly and effortlessly through the language of
music. The room erupted into freestyle dancing, singing and handclapping
accompaniments by Road Recovery teens, staff and supporters.
Trey Anastasio (left) and Road Recovery
teen guitarist, Ryan
Aussem
'jam', effortlessly communicate through music.
"Trey Anastasio is an amazing person to sit down and talk
to in so many ways. I feel like I’ve known him all my life!
He is an inspiration to me in both music and recovery. Trey’s
musicianship is an extension of who he is as a person and the
combination of speaking and playing with him is what touched
me the most. His playing was phenomenal and he was so supportive
of my playing. I will never forget that jam and his words of
wisdom."– Ryan Aussem, guitarist/singer,
age: 19, sober: 3 years
Feelin the love and each others
heat…Road Recovery
teens, supporters
and staff surround Trey Anastasio (center)
on a cold January afternoon.
"Road Recovery is a beacon
of light in a dark and confusing world. Addiction is so tricky
and insidious and community is the cure. Road Recovery is all
about community, a great organization with amazing programs.
I'm so happy to be sober and grateful to be in the company
of people getting the point early!" -
Trey Anastasio, singer, songwriter, Phish
(L-R) Road Recovery supporter - James Walsh, MajorWho
Media /Threshold
Music Studios reconnects with Trey Anastasio
through Road Recovery.
Founder, Gene Bowen shares in the experience...
Road Recovery wishes to thank Bob Kravitz
and Dr. Scott Bienenfeld whose efforts made Trey Anastasio’s
Road Recovery Master Class possible.
THURSDAY,
JANUARY 3, 2008: Joseph Arthur Delivers on His Promise!
Recording Artist, Painter, Curator – Joseph Arthur is
a man of his word! At the beginning of 2007 Arthur made a promise
to Road Recovery’s Gene Bowen that by year’s end he
would participate in one of the non-profits Master
Class Series*.
2007 marked one of the busiest years for the New York based artist
- Joseph Arthur formed a new band The Lonely
Astronauts, recorded & released
a new record - Lets Just Be (Lonely Astronaut Records), opened
an art gallery in Brooklyn (MOMAR - Museum
of Modern Arthur) and
toured around the globe.
In early November as the clock ticked down on 2007, Bowen received
a call from Arthur indicating he was off to Europe for another
tour and not to worry he would make it to Road Recovery before
Christmas…On the evening of Friday, December 21st, Arthur,
accompanied by band mate and lead guitarist/vocalist – Jen
Turner (Furslide, Natalie Merchant), turned up at Road Recovery’s
door shortly after touching down on NYC soil.
Joseph Arthur enjoying the exchange with Road Recovery teens
during
his Master Class.
A magical night…huddled in a circle around a clan of Road
Recovery teens, Joseph Arthur began his Master Class by stating
that every significant chapter in his career happened because of
relationships with people who had come to terms with personnel
adversity in their lives. These relationships and experiences provided
inspirational support for Joseph to forge on. In 1997, Peter Gabriel
(legendary Genesis front man & World Music label head) immediately
signed Arthur to his label after being introduced to his lyrics
by a friend.
Arthur’s round circle Master Class provided him with a forum
to share the source of his musical, artistic and personnel inspiration.
He is constantly moved by his daily interactions, experiences and
society’s presence in his life; never focusing on ‘creating’,
rather having faith in the process and allowing ideas to surface
naturally from within. Through this process he has come to know
himself better.
When asked by one of the teens, what his goals are for the future
and achievements yet obtained, Joseph Arthur laughed and without
hesitation responded that he just wants to have a positive impact
on the lives of others through his art, do good in the process
and hopefully gain a better understanding of himself. Arthur and
Jen Turner ended the Master Class with an informal acoustic duet
performance of Joseph Arthur’s music…including; In
The Sun, singing his lyrics…"if
I find my way how much will I find?"
Joseph Arthur and band mate Jen Turner conclude his Road
Recovery
Master Class with an informal acoustic performance of
old and new material.
Feeling the vibe…Road Recovery teens & staff surround
Joseph Arthur
& Jen Turner (off center) with much gratitude
for freely sharing
their life experiences and music…
"It was great to share in the process of recovery…Road
Recovery inspires me to stay on this path…" – Joseph
Arthur
Reminiscing about a time gone bye..Road
Recovery's staff Owen Comaskey
(far right) whose club Arlene
Grocery was the catalyst for launching...
(L-R) Gene Bowen & Jack
Bookbinder's Road Recovery concert events,
introducing Joseph
Arthur to a NYC audience, & Jen
Turner's record label
buzz band - Furslide to Virgin Records
during the roaring 1990's East Village
music scene.
*Road Recovery’s Master
Class Series is an informal, interactive discussion where guest
participants openly share their life experiences and in this
case, music with a group of sober young adults who participate
in Road Recovery’s New York program.
TUESDAY
DECEMBER 11, 2007:: Atlantic Records President Captivates Road
Recovery Teens + Duran Duran’s Red
Carpet Massacre Slays Them!
Midtown Manhattan
- Atlantic Records President – Julie Greenwald hosted
a one hour+ interactive Road
Recovery Master Class at her
label headquarters for more than a dozen Road Recovery teens. Greenwald’s
fast-track music industry success story began in 1992 during a
summer break from teaching elementary school in one of New Orleans’ poorest
neighborhoods. Her plan was to teach in public schools before heading
to Washington, DC to become a child advocate. That plan derailed
after she landed the job as the assistant to music industry heavyweight
Lyor Cohen at his company RUSH Management. Lyor managed many of
the biggest names in the early days of rap music when the genre
was considered a passing fad.
Deep inside Atlantic Records NYC headquarters, Road Recovery
teens
and staff huddle around label President, Julie Greenwald
(center)
for an hour + Master Class discussion and open share
about
her life experiences both professionally and personally.
A fearless attitude
combined with an unstoppable work ethic proved to be Julie Greenwald’s
ticket up the music industry corporate ladder. Within a span of
twelve years, Greenwald managed to learn and run several areas
of a major record label and eventually became President of Atlantic
Records. Within three years, she took on the daunting task of restructuring,
merging and running several labels under the Atlantic umbrella.
Wanting to develop trust and strong relationships with the label’s
artists and staff, Greenwald led and continues to lead by her own
example of giving more than 100%, being honest to everyone no matter
what the outcome, and staying behind the scenes.
Atlantic Records President, Julie Greenwald (squashed,
center) by
the love of the Road Recovery crew.
Road Recovery youth
left the master class understanding Ms Greenwald’s work ethic,
integrity, commitment and the sacrifices that need to be made in
order to succeed. They also learned that to be vulnerable, to take
risks and to make mistakes no matter what others think, is the
best way to grow and reach your goals.
Each Road Recovery Master Class participant
was outfitted with
armfuls of Atlantic Records CD’s courtesy
of Julie Greenwald.
Atlantic Records President, Julie Greenwald
expresses her support
for
Road Recovery with the non-profit’s
Gene Bowen (center)
& Jack
Bookbinder (right) after speaking with Road Recovery teens
for
more than an hour.
Broadway, New York - Duran Duran’s Red Carpet
Massacre saw the return of one of the 1980’s premiere pop bands
to the Great White Way recently for a run of SOLD OUT shows
of dancing MTV/VH1generation boomers and iPoders!! The band’s ‘Three
Act’ set covered their new release Red Carpet Massacre
(Epic Records) in its entirety, followed by Act Two – ElectroSet,
with Act Three – Essential Duran
Duran rounding out the
two and half hour stellar performance.
Founding band member John
Taylor (bass) reached out in support
of Road Recovery by inviting a herd of their teens to experience
Duran Duran as his special guest on one of Broadway’s treasured
stages, The Barrymore Theatre.
Duran Duran, Act Two – ElectroSet (L-R) John Taylor,
Roger
Taylor, Simon Lebon, Nick Rhodes.
(L-R) John Taylor & Simon Lebon, Act
Three - Essential
Duran Duran,
bring the house down!
MONDAY,
DECEMBER 3, 2007 :: THE NEW YORK SUN Shines Down on Road Recovery!
For the second year in a row, the
Partnership for a Drug-Free America invited Road Recovery’s
sober youth band Crazy James to perform at their annual gala benefit
on Monday November 26th on the stage of the main ballroom at the
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. To top last year’s performance, Crazy
James invited Road Recovery supporter, world renowned operatic Soprano
- Andrea Gruber to sing during their set.
In the aftermath of the
successful event, The New York Sun printed on page two a large feature
with photo spread about Road Recovery, Crazy James and the gala on
November 28, 2007. Please read the story below:
Parents and Teenagers Rock for
'Drug-Free America'
By Amanda Gordon
November 28, 2007
The frying pan that launched the Partnership
for a Drug-Free America's public service announcement
campaign was a distant memory at the organization's
benefit on Monday.
The
only reminder of the spot with the voice-over, "This
is your brain. This is drugs. This is your brain on drugs," was
the award presented to the MetLife Foundation president,
Sibyl Jacobson: a gold-plated frying pan mounted under
glass. It looked like a relic, and indeed, it is.
What
didn't look like a relic was the band Crazy
James, composed
of a dozen young adults who've been sober for anywhere
from one month to five years. The band is a project of
the nonprofit Road Recovery, in which music industry
professionals help teenagers through mentoring and live
performances.
They are young adults who have struggled
with demons, yet on the stage of the Waldorf=Astoria
ballroom, in front of 600 guests, they had bright smiles
and pride in their music, which they fully deserve.
Not
discounting the 3,000 spots that have been created
in the partnership's 21-year history, nor the passion
for the cause expressed by the chairman of the partnership,
Roy Bostock, and the chief executive of Johnson & Johnson,
William Weldon, the music of Crazy James — songs
such as "Sweet Epiphany," "Disease," and “NYC
RIP" — were more inspiring.
The partnership
has recently launched a campaign to help parents, with
online resources and a soon-to-go-live toll-free hotline.
The partnership's next goal should be making sure the
nation hears the music of Crazy James, because helping
young adults tell their story to other young adults
is just as important as helping parents. At the very
least, the band's performance at the benefit next year
should come earlier in the evening, and band members
should be seated with patrons so they can tell their
stories to the people who can fund the expansion of
Road Recovery.
PDFA President & CEO – Stephen Pasierb (center w/tie) & Jeri
Milhauser, Director, PDFA Special Events (polka dot top) hang backstage
with Road Recovery’s Crazy James band & Soprano, Andrea
Gruber before taking the Waldorf-Astoria Main Ballroom stage.
Jeri Milhauser, Director, PDFA Special Events
(left) & PDFA
President & CEO, Stephen Pasierb (center) backstage
with Operatic Soprano, Andrea Gruber before her cameo appearance
onstage with Crazy James at the Partnership’s benefit.
Road Recovery’s Crazy James band, numbering
more than 15 members onstage with guest artist, Operatic Soprano
'Diva' Andrea Gruber (center right) closing out the Partnerships
benefit gala at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
THURSDAY,
NOVEMBER 8, 2007 :: Road Recovery Midwest Supporter Kicks Off
Holiday Season For NYCTeens!
Tulsa, Oklahoma – Drummer,
Vietnam Veteran & Road Recovery Midwest point musician, JIM
BELL jump starts this year’s holiday season by donating
to Road Recovery’s New York teens one of his own…a
2004 Pearl maple S.M.X Session Series 5 piece drum kit, fully
loaded with a 16”x24” kick drum, Gibraltar hardware
and road cases worth over $3,000.00!
Jim Bell & his Road Recovery Holiday
Gift - 2004 Pearl maple
S.M.X. Session Series 5 piece drum kit.
For the past two years, Jim Bell’s
tireless efforts have paid off for Road Recovery to expand westward,
allowing the NYC based non-profit organization to connect with
sponsors, and outreach opportunities in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bell’s
drive to establish a Road Recovery Tulsa, Oklahoma presence came
to fruition this past July when the organization’s teen band,
Crazy James was invited to perform at the DFEST – Oklahoma’s
Music Conference and Festival. Crazy James performed alongside
the Flaming Lips, Amos Lee, the Format and Leon
Russell. While in Tulsa, the teens also gave back via their "Meeting & Music"
outreach to inpatients at 12&12, Inc.- Center for Addiction
Treatment & Recovery housed in the old Sheraton Hotel whose guests included Elvis
Presley!
"I believe in what Road Recovery is doing and will support
them as much as I can in any way! To all of the members of Crazy
James that came down to Tulsa this past summer, I’m impressed
by all of you crazy people, you’re wiser beyond your young
years, and us adults need to support you any way we can! That’s
why I’m donating one of my kits to Road Recovery."– Jim
Bell
For Jim Bell, by the age of six his mother Hazel was told by
a local drum teacher that her son was born with a God given gift
and she’d better get him a drum kit fast! At ten years
of age the young Bell stumbled over legendary drummer, Buddy
Rich while chasing down bandleader – Harry
James’ autograph
for his mother. By 16, Jim was working for a furniture mover
and had saved up $150.00 to buy a set of Stewart
Drums. His pursuit
of playing drums was interrupted when in 1966 the U.S. Army drafted
him to serve in the Vietnam War as a radio operator
[R.T.O.] with the 9th Infantry Division throughout
the Tet Offensive.
"My drug problems, specifically my addiction to amphetamines,
started about two year's after I came home from the war. My life
shifted to 'speed' first, and then music. Tulsa, Oklahoma in
the early 1970’s was a music hot spot. Everyone came to
Tulsa to jam and make music…I saw Jimi
Hendrix play one
of his last U.S shows…I played drums for Billy
Parker’s KV00 – Big Country Express along with a host of country
and western stars (Billy Walker, Johnny
Russell, Merle Travis)
for the next thirty years!
Jimi Hendrix concert poster from his June 7, 1970
Tulsa, OK
show
which Jim Bell attended.
Looking back there was nothing
available for people, be it musicians, or young people like Road
Recovery! I believe in the power of music! Helping kids get off
drugs or out of trouble is one thing…giving them the tools
needed for them to keep their sobriety and sanity is where Road
Recovery is different from all the rest. They give them something
to focus on, the opportunity to collaborate with professionals
from the entertainment industry to create amazing artistry is what
saves these kids lives!
Road Recovery teens kick-it on Jim Bell’s
generous Holiday drum kit gift!
I don’t think there’s
enough being done to help our kid's today. If you don't believe me
just take a good look at our schools. If it were up to me, I would
make Road Recovery the 7th hour class in every high school across
this nation. I hope all the young people at Road Recovery enjoy the
drum set; I know ya’ll will make good use them!"-
Your friend, Jim Bell, clean & sober 20 years.
Jim Bell was awarded The State of Oklahoma “Veteran
of the Month - September 2007” and was issued a Proclamation
by Oklahoma Governor, Brad
Henry & Representative, Eric Proctor.
WEDNESDAY,
OCTOBER 31, 2007 :: Austin, Texas – Alpha Rev ‘s
Frontman, Casey McPherson, Visits Road
Recovery During CMJ Music Marathon.
Austin Texas buzz
band, Alpha Rev lead vocalist, Casey
McPherson joined Road Recovery
an hour after touchdown into the Big Apple for this year’s
CMJ Music Marathon. Sandwiched between his band’s top billing
at the Numinous Music showcase at Mo
Pitkins and a solo acoustic
performance at the same venue, Casey rolled up his sleeves and
opened his heart for Road Recovery’s teens
by participating in the non-profit’s *Master Class Series.
McPherson who was
classically trained as a child on piano for 12 years, learned to
play guitar left handed after figuring out it only worked when
he played it upside down. His first band Endochine, performed with
Staind, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Pete
Yorn all over the U.S.
During this time, McPherson lost his only brother and father to
suicide. Although the band was succeeding on many levels, Endochine
broke up as touring took its toll and McPherson began to realize
that his music, and his life, needed to take a turn in a more positive
direction.
Finding meaning through these tragic experiences resulted in Alpha
Rev's groundbreaking sound that connects with people at their core.
With Alpha Rev, McPherson's songwriting dares others to search
out hope in the bleakest of circumstances, including his own. The
result is soulful American rock, and a sound that inspires others
in meaningful ways. McPherson's own background helps him produce
music with a searing yet inspiring depth.
Road Recovery’s *Master Class Series is
an informal, interactive discussion where guest participants openly
share their life experiences and in this case, music with a group
of sober young adults who participate in Road Recovery’s
New York program. McPherson’s
sharing and his emerging from such tragic experiences provided
these young adults with hope to carry on!
Road Recovery staff, Jay Rodriguez (left),
Jack Bookbinder (3rd from left) & Chris Theberge (far right)bookend teen participants as
everyone surrounds Casey McPherson (center w/ hat) and his manger,
Karryn Scott (front & center) after Casey’s moving Master
Class.
Already making a mark
in print, film, online and TV, Alpha Rev and Casey
McPherson’s songs have been featured in a handful
of MTV shows. They were the first unsigned band
on Yahoo! Music, their song "Lower
me Down" was featured in the independent film "Pineapple",
and most recently their track "Colder Months" won
the 2007 American Songwriter/SNOCAP competition and
will be featured in a compilation CD issued out in the Nov/Dec
issue of the magazine.
They are currently in and out of the studio working on material
for their next album, which is scheduled to be released early 2008.
"Road Recovery is putting action behind the power that music
brings. Their groundbreaking implementation of successful recovery
methods with the community and emotional healing that music creates
will change many lives. It has changed mine. I am honored to be
apart of it!!!" - Casey McPherson
Casey McPherson (left w/hat) in the thralls of it with
Road Recovery teen band,
Crazy James
"Participating
in Road Recovery’s Master Class Series was one of the most
meaningful parts of a busy week for both Casey and I. It is great
to see musicians reaching out to kids with a real message in a
deep and meaningful way. The honesty and heart that everyone at
Road Recovery gives their young people is inspiring, and made me
realize why I wanted to get involved with music in the first place.
I will never forget the experience, and I hope I can help them
expand their efforts in the Austin area. Thanks Road Recovery for
letting us be a part of it all." - Karyn Scott, manager
Casey McPherson (left) feelin’ the musical love with
Road Recovery
teen participant/Crazy James band member - Ryan Smith
after cookin’ up
an hour long jam after Casey’s Master
Class.
THURSDAY,
OCTOBER 18, 2007 :: Operatic Soprano – Andrea Gruber Gives
Back To Road
Recovery & Ends Up At Silver Hill Hospital!
Soprano – Andrea Gruber "On-Stage" photo credit: Roberto Ricci
On break as she prepares for her Spring 2008 Metropolitan
Opera performances
of Verdi’s Macbeth, Soprano Andrea
Gruber is rolling up her sleeves
to donate her time and talent, and sharing her life experiences with
Road Recovery teen participants!
"Road Recovery is an amazing power of example; I am truly
blown away by the simplicity of their message and the honesty
with which they bring it. Road Recovery’s magic lies in
its people; there is an overwhelming sense of family that emanates
from each one of the members and welcomes everyone that comes
into the mix." - Andrea Gruber, Soprano
Born and raised in New York City, Andrea Gruber is an operatic
soprano treasure whose touring career has found her center stage
at most of the renowned opera houses throughout the world, including
the Royal Opera at Covent Garden, San Francisco
Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro Regio di Parma, Carnegie
Hall, and Arena di Verona - which bestowed upon her its coveted "Premio" Award
for the season's outstanding artist.
What started out as an informal
Friday night Road Recovery Master Class
Series event, where Ms.
Gruber shared her life journey and experiences both on and off
the stage, grew into a weekend visit to Silver
Hill Hospital to support Road Recovery’s
teen participants in their "Meeting & Music" outreach
program for inpatients (adults & teens) at the New Canaan, Connecticut
facility.
Andrea Gruber (front, second in from right) & fellow opera
singer
-
Jill Grove (center) with Road Recovery teens after
Ms. Gruber’s
Friday night Road Recovery Master Class.
The herd of Road
Recovery teens, accompanied by Road Recovery staff, parents, siblings,
and Ms. Gruber, spent their Sunday afternoon giving back to inpatients
at Silver Hill Hospital by sharing the stories of their painful
but meaningful journeys from active addiction to a life of recovery.
The teens’ message of hope and possibility was carried on
through three performances of original music by their band Crazy
James. Together, the teens support one another through life’s
twists and turns.
Pamela Alvich, Silver Hill Hospital - Community & Business
Development
Liaison & Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder
"relax" before
Road Recovery/Crazy James teens deliver '3' "Meeting & Music"
presentations
@ the New Canaan, Connecticut facility.
Road Recovery teen, Biz (left) bonds with Andrea Gruber at
Silver
Hill Hospital Sunday outreach.
In a 2005 Ms. Gruber went public about her addictions to painkillers
and prescription drugs, revealing that her problems with drugs
began at age 11 and lasted until she got clean in 1996. By the
time she embraced a lifestyle of recovery, her drug abuse had so
impacted every facet of her life that her art and career were inevitable
targets of her addiction – after a disastrous performance
at the Met of Aïda, in which she recalls that at one point
she could not hit a note, the Met bought out the remainder of her
contract and dismissed her from the company. She sang in a few
engagements at the Seattle Opera and at the Vienna State Opera
in the early 1990s, but was later asked not to return to either
Vienna or the Salzburg Festival.
By 1999, Ms. Gruber was 3 years sober and back on stage all over
the world. The Met re-engaged her for performances of Nabucco
and Turandot, which in the Spring of 2007 led to an invite for Road
Recovery teens and staff to attend one of Ms. Gruber’s Metropolitan
Opera performances of Puccini’s last opera.
Ms. Gruber’s set-lists include such operatic leading roles
in Turandot, which she has sung on three continents, La
fanciulla del West, Aïda, Macbeth, La gioconda, Nabucco (Abagaille)
and Simon Boccanegra (Amelia). In the German repertoire, she has
sung Elsa in Lohengrin, both Venus and Elisabetta in Tannhauser,
and the Third Norn in Götterdämmerung (which was recorded
by the Metropolitan Opera). She has performed Beethoven's
Ninth Symphony and Missa Solemnis,
Verdi's Requiem, Britten's War Requiem, Strauss's Four Last Songs, and Schoenberg's
Gurre-Lieder.
"I have known Andrea for over fifteen
years, and she has always been a person of strong passions. Her
great love is her work as a leading diva in the world's opera
houses (as well as her dog Max), but her true passion is helping
younger people and those who need her help. She was an amazing
support to her block's firehouse after their many losses on September
11, and she has been active in both New York and other US cities
in helping young people. I am so pleased that she has been working
with Road Recovery to bring all of these talents together." – Mathew
A. Horner, Manager – IMG Artists
All mixed up…Road Recovery staff, Silver Hill staff,
Crazy James
band mates & singer, Andrea Gruber mush together
for an
amazing day of giving & getting so much, together!
"She’s the most punk rock chic I’ve
ever met! Rising from the ashes of self-destruction to reaching
diva capo status in the operatic world is very chill!" – Charles McTavish, Road Recovery/Crazy James band
member
Road Recovery’s Gene Bowen & Andrea
Gruber share war stories
about touring Classical Music style...
"There is nothing more powerful than
seeing the gift of recovery being freely shared between addicts
and alcoholics of all ages, but particularly by kids in their
late teens and early 20's when the pressures to get high are
everywhere. Road Recovery gives them a safe place to go talk,
listen, get and give support and create their artistry in a sober
environment. The music that is written and played by Crazy James
has a great message and they really know how to rock!!! My life
has been changed in the short period of time since they have
come into my life." – Andrea Gruber, Soprano
THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 :: Road Recovery Returns To Alaska!
Sung H. shows off his moves and music during his band, Steel Fetish’s
final performance.
HAINES, ALASKA (population: 2,500) - For the second year running,
Road Recovery joined up with Voices
Project to deliver their extraordinary
Performance Workshops Program, a week of inspiration,
hope and music to a group of teens in the small rural Alaskan
community. A collaboration between the Haines Borough
Public Library and KHNS-FM,
the local community radio station, the Voices Project’s mission
is to increase education and awareness about the effects of substance
abuse on people’s lives. Last year, Road
Recovery’s
Jay Rodriguez and Charles McTavish left
the community wanting more, inspired by the prospect of hosting
this amazing organization’s
program again.
Most the Haines, Alaska teen participants from last year’s
program returned for the 5 day Road Recovery Performance Workshops
Program, this time with three Road Recovery staff: a returning Charles
McTavish, Owen Comaskey, and Meghan Breen.
Understanding Road Recovery’s message and methods, this year,
the kids embarked on a week of astounding creativity. Rehearsing
for five hours a day, they prepared an arsenal of original music,
stretching their own creative muscles with poignant, introspective
lyrics and complex musical compositions. They also participated
in the daily recovery meetings, sharing reflections on the problems
they see caused by alcohol and talked about the pressures and anxieties
teens everywhere have to face. The teens were also moved by the
powerful stories of recovery shared by Meghan, Owen, and Charles.
The week ended with a concert and dance at the local Chilkat
Center For The Arts where the kids performed to the
cheers of the crowd. The event was supported by local youth substance
abuse prevention organizations, as well as local businesses,
who backed the effort by donating door prizes for the show. Yet
again, Road Recovery left Haines, Alaska hungry for more and
ready to turn the experience into an annual event for the community’s
youth.
Members of the Steel Fetish band front and
center with the Road Recovery crew. (front row: L-R) Ryan S., Road
Recovery’s Meghan Breen, Jeremy L., David
B., Road Recovery’s Owen Comaskey. (back row: L-R) Road Recovery’s
Charles McTavish, Aihan G. , Sung H., & Cory G.
Road Recovery’s staff together with Haines, Alaska teens
join forces for more than five hours a day to create from scratch
their master piece performance ‘live’ on
stage at The Chilkat Center For The Arts.
Road Recovery’s Owen Comaskey (left)
works out a bass riff with Ryan S., who started playing the bass
guitar a couple of months before Road Recovery arrived in Haines,
Alaska.
“It was unreal,
beautiful literally and figuratively speaking. The immediate gratification
of seeing these awesome kids high on music and recovery- it was just
a once in a life time experience!” - Meghan Breen, Road Recovery staff
"Thank you all for sharing your lives."
"Thank you Road Recovery for coming to this town that nobody has heard
of and working with a bunch of teenagers so we could play a kick ass show."
“Thank you so much, I had the funniest time with you guys (girl).”
"These guys are awesome; they helped us make 4 songs in three days.
They were patient, helpful and very, very supportive."
"I had a great time and I’m
glad they came here to Haines."
"I hope Road Recovery happens again next year, and they stay for more
than 5 days next time." - Haines, Alaska Teen Participants
“The kids in Haines Alaska totally rocked, they were eager
to learn and… with a little help and guidance we managed
to write and perform 5 original compositions in 5 days. As we
worked and gained their trust the kids opened up during the pre-rehearsal
meetings allowing the Road Recovery team and a clinical professional
working beside us a better insight about living a small isolated
community, where the option of drugs or alcohol are an easy escape.
Hopefully with our encounter they will continue to share their
feelings, pursue their musical leanings and avoid that path as
an option.” - Owen Comaskey, Road Recovery staff
The culmination of Road Recovery’s (5) day Performance Workshops program
in Haines, Alaska, local teens band, Steel Fetish blasts the roof off The Chilkat
Center for the Arts. (L-R) Sung H., Aihan G. , Jeremy L. & Jae M .
Gus R. (left), Road Recovery’s Charles McTavish, and Cory
G. rock out on multiple drum sets at Steel Fetish’s debut
performance at The Chilkat Center for the Arts.
“The three musicians from Road Recovery who held the workshops
here not only connected well with the teens and young adults
during the workshops, but connected with other community members,
like myself, as well. They were inspiring and different, and
in rural Alaska, that is a true gift to a community. Having people
come into our community, who have real experiences with substance
abuse is so valuable to us all. Road Recovery’s team mentored
so many young people, and brought out their talents, channeled
their energies, and provided a forum to showcase skills that
none of new existed! Helping young adults, who are in a transitional
time of their lives, feel positive about themselves and their
talents is essential in helping them access healthy choices in
the future. I hope very much that Road Recovery returns to the
upper Lynn Canal, and continues to help us flourish.” - Suzanne Vuillet-Smith, Care Coordinator REACH, Inc
“I have had the privilege of collaborating with and supporting
the Voices Project- Road Recovery for two years. To be able to
weave substance abuse prevention and recovery stories into lyrics,
music and friendships is the ultimate way to help youth develop
protective factors for their future. The friendships which developed
in one short week will last a life time. The depth of talent
of the visiting musicians and participating youth has been phenomenal.
To be able to participate in and observe the intensity of putting
it all together for a concert brings immense joy, pride and hope.” - Cheri Hample, MPH MSW, Program Coordinator
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s Behavioral
Health Prevention
“Watching Charles, Meghan, and Owen literally create an
instant connection and rapport with the teens in the workshop
was astounding to behold. I was impressed, again, by Road Recovery’s
ability to share their enormous talent, model courage and communication,
and inspire kids to do the same. This year, I was most impressed
with the meetings, and the level of sharing that came from the
youth, some of whom struggling with serious issues. They felt
safe beginning to talk and share – which is especially
difficult to do in a small town. The music rocked, the meetings
were powerful, and the kids left the experience expressing a
great sense of accomplishment and hope. All the youth who participated
continue to rave about the experience and plead for more. We’re
definitely looking forward to next year!” - Tania Danielski,
Voices Project Coordinator
David B. performs his amazing song about leaving
his small town for big city life with Road Recovery’s Owen
Comaskey providing back-up vocals.
Jeremy L shines on stage.
THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 6, 2007 :: Wayne Coyne, Ozzy Osbourne, Squeeze, Joe Walsh, & Velvet
Revolver – Show Up For Road Recovery!
Wayne Coyne (The Flaming Lips), Ozzy Osbourne, Joe Walsh (The Eagles), Chris
Difford (Squeeze), and Velvet Revolver band members – Slash & Dave
Kushner step up in support of Road Recovery, sharing hope and possibility
with the non-profit’s teens and young adults!
Ozzy Osbourne (rear/sunglasses) in his dressing room with
Road
Recovery teens & staff.
Ozzy Osbourne (center) stirs the kettle with Road Recovery
teens & staff backstage at his Ozzfest!
For nearly ten years Road Recovery has been helping young people
find their way towards a healthy future through the efforts of
entertainment industry professionals whose lives have been touched
by addiction and other adversities who wish to make a positive
impact on the lives of others.
Recently, an onslaught of artists whose careers span more than
forty years of rock history, humbly participated in Road Recovery’s Master
Class Series. The series is an informal, interactive
discussion where guest artists openly share their life experiences
with a group of sober young adults who participate in Road Recovery’s
New York program.
In a dressing room, a hotel kitchen, on the side of stage, on
a tour bus, or after sound check, Road Recovery teens and staff
were invited to huddle together around the likes of Wayne
Coyne, Joe Walsh, Chris Difford, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash,
and Dave Kushner to share their day-to-day life
experiences – the good, the bad & the ugly, music,
family, friends, work, and the hope for each other to carry on!
"Road Recovery is one of the few adolescent recovery
programs that is able to help teenagers successfully maintain
sobriety within their home communities. Success occurs through
a balance between: creative arts and music, the power of affiliation
with other sober teens, and the ability to interact with inspirational
and notable people who have been touched by either addiction
or other life challenges. In my practice, I regularly utilize
Road Recovery as a powerful clinical tool for treating adolescents
and their families who face substance use disorders or other
addictive problems." - Scott Bienenfeld, M.D.
Ozzfest Agent - Marsha Vlasic (MVO Ltd.), supporter & friend of Road
Recovery catches up with Road Recovery founder - Gene Bowen backstage before
Ozzy's descent on stage!
"It took me 23 years to get there. It
was a long and limey road. I’m not doing anything again
if I’m not sober. Sobriety is worth it! Road Recovery is
worth it! If you want it, stick it out, you’ll get there.
If we follow these principals to the best of our ability then
we don’t have to go back!"
– Ozzy Osbourne
Joe Walsh's Tour Manager (right)- Smokey & 'retired' tour manager - Gene
Bowen cross paths during Joe Walsh 's hang with Road Recovery teens.
Joe Walsh (second from left) with Road Recovery teens & staff
after his
post sound-check Master Class inside NY's Beacon Theatre.
Joe Walsh (far right) shares with Road Recovery teens & staff his
life experiences
before his 'sold-out' NY gig.
Joe Walsh (right) autographs a rare copy of the 1971 record
California '99 to
Road Recovery's Tulsa, OK supporter, drummer, Jim Bell.
“It’s wonderful to see these young
people getting sober! I really regret that I didn’t get it
early, I wasted so much time. I wish Road Recovery well…their
young people could have continued …but they didn’t
miss nothing, I speak from experience. Together we all get to go
on with life! Road Recovery’s great!” – Joe Walsh, Solo Artist, The Eagles
“I think Road Recovery is great! As a parent
and Tour Manager for more than twenty years I have witnessed the
devastation addiction has had both backstage and out in the audience.
I support Road Recovery’s work with young people connecting
them with positive alternatives via folks in the entertainment
industry. Sign me up whenever you need help!” – Smokey Wendell, Tour Manager, Joe Walsh
Velvet Revolver guitarist, Dave Kushner (center) hangs with
Road Recovery
teens off stage as his band mates start the show
without him - "Oh Shite!"
Velvet Revolver's guitarists, Slash & Dave Kushner
(rear center)
in their dressing room bunker with the Road Recovery
family.
Steve Martin (center)- Road Recovery 'Super Supporter' & President,
The Agency
Group Ltd. stands in front of his ‘booking’ - Squeeze's
'sold-out' venue
with Road Recovery teens prior to yet another dressing
room hang with band member
- Chris Difford.
Chris Difford (center) shares some quality 'quiet' time with Road Recovery
teens before
facing his 'sold-out' audience of devoted Squeeze fans.
"As happy as the Road Recovery team seemed
to be at the Beacon Theater, Squeeze’s Chris Difford and
I were glad they were there to share their experiences. They are
really inspirational!" – Steve Martin, President, The Agency Group Limited
Scott Booker (lower right)- World’s Fair, Manager of The Flaming Lips,
huddles
with Road Recovery’s Gene Bowen (left) Flaming Lips frontman,
Wayne
Coyne (center), Angie DeVore – World’s Fair, & Road Recovery’s
Jack
Bookbinder (right) to discuss their life experiences and common goal of combating
negativity in the world through positive action.
"Pot is fun and should be legal. For some that’s all
it is…for those with addictive personalities they can face
a treacherous road and I’ve seen it happen to some of
my friends over the years. Crystal Meth, Heroin, Coke, all
that stuff can overtake you. This idea of Road Recovery helps
kids avoid the treacherous road of the drugs that can overtake
you." – Wayne
Coyne of The Flaming Lips 'category'
“I greatly admire Road Recovery’s
tenacity in tackling such a tough problem. The world is lucky
to have people so willing to give of themselves to help others.” - Scott Booker, World’s
Fair, Manager for The Flaming Lips
Road Recovery recognizes
the behind the scenes support of: Michele
Anthony, Sharon Osbourne, Steve Martin, Irving Azoff, Scott Booker,
Dan Chiacchietta, Michael Guarracino, Chuck R., the DFEST family,
Smokey Wendell, Karrie Morton, Harold Owens, Marsha Vlasic, photographers – Scott
Schumaker, Matthew Isaac, & Ed Aussem, and everyone’s
staff who made it possible for Road Recovery’s Master Class
Series to happen!! THANK YOU ALL!
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST 22, 2007: Road Recovery Joins Vans Warped Tour Take Action!
For Third Year.
August 2-11, 2007: For the third consecutive year, Road
Recovery’s sober teens from the Crazy
James band along with entertainment
industry professionals, meet up with the Vans
Warped Tour and
join forces with the Take Action! crew
for some blazin punk rock hot and sweaty fun. Dedicated
to encouraging awareness of social issues and activism,
the Take
Action! tent is centrally located
onsite in the midst of the music and extreme sports Warped
Tour festival storm. Road Recovery’s onsite
outreach booth provides the more than 20,000 daily Warped
festival goers with interactive
peer to peer dialogue about cool alternatives to getting F*#@ed
up along with informative printed materials (stickers, guitar
picks, handouts) and access to win Road
Recovery’s unbelievable
$1.00 raffle ticket drawing each day of a Gibson/Fender electric
guitar and case!
Road Recovery booth staff – David Wodka (left) greets Valencia band members
George & Brendan with Baltimore, Maryland concert promoter – Stephanie
Dickard (right) @ Road Recovery’s Take Action! booth.
Road Recovery/Crazy James bassist – James Nelson & Gallows
vocalist Frank Carter send out their best wishes to everyone! "Road
Recovery is fu*#@$ excellent" – Frank Carter,
vocalist, Gallows
Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder fighting
off Warped Tour crowds with a NEW Fender
Jazz Master electric guitar raffled daily for a $1.00 ticket from the Road Recovery
Warped Tour/Take Action! outreach booth.
(L-R) Road Recovery’s Gene Bowen , Jack Bookbinder , Ryan Aussem hangout
with Janco truck drivers – Rick Laney & Shane after an all night haul
to the next Warped Tour sight. Anyone seen Janco man – Christopher Darling?
Tweeter Center - Mansfield, MA: Sam Young
gets a hoist from Road Recovery’s
Jack Bookbinder after picking his own winning ticket to take home his first electric
guitar, a Gretsch 'gold top'!
Darien Lakes Fields - Buffalo, NY: Mark Lorello
(center) feeling the shock after plunking down $5.00 to win a Gretsch ‘gold top’ electric guitar
as Road Recovery’s booth staff help him reconnect with reality!
Nassau Coliseum - Uniondale, NY: Road Recovery booth clan puts
the grip on Pat Leahy (center) after buying a single $1.00 raffle
ticket to win a Fender Squire Jazz Master guitar.
Tweeter Center - Camden, NJ: Ralph Ritter III (center)
holds his Fender Squire Jazz Master guitar with Road Recovery’s
Jack Bookbinder (left), Ryan Aussem (rear) and Lucky O’Donnell
(right) at Road Recovery’s Warped/Take
Action! outreach booth.
Warped Tour’s "Scene Queens" Audrey Kitching (left) & Hanna
Beth (right) share their love for Road Recovery with Crazy James vocalist – Lucky
O’Donnell! Kisses…
Road Recovery’s Got dope DICK ? Get Recovery sticker gains
true Warped tour positioning & visibility!
That’s not all…After
more than ten hours in the hot festival sun, Road Recovery’s
touring entourage pack up and visit local youth facilities to deliver
their outreach program entitled "Meeting & Music".
The teens share their personal struggles with drug/alcohol addiction,
mental heath and behavioral issues, and the steps they struggled
through in order to lead a sober life with a plan! Their brutal
honesty with an audience of total strangers their own age inevitably
sparks positive reactions and discussions. Once everyone has had
a chance to speak, those interested join Crazy James band members
and Road Recovery staff in a circle to recite the serenity prayer
before plugging into a quick electric set of original music and
then the crew packs up and moves on to the next city.
"It was a fantastic experience
having the guys from Road Recovery not only share their experience,
strength and hope with the young adults getting sober, but also
share the common language of music. It meant allot to the kids
that were there to hear Road Recovery share the language of hope
in recovery telling their stories and playing their music... thank
you soo much Gene, Jack and the Road Recovery touring team." -
A. Michael Blanche MSS LCSW - Comprehensive Counseling Specializing
in Addictions, West Chester, PA
Therapist - A. Michael Blanche (left), Crazy
James band mates and Road Recovery’s
Jack Bookbinder (far right) emerge from the Rehab After Work outpatient basement
in Paoli , Pennsylvania after shaking the foundation with the band’s music
and message!
Northshore Recovery High School, Director – Michelle
Lipinski (second from left) and students hang with Crazy James
band members & Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder (standing
center) after the band’s outreach at the Beverly, Massachusetts
high school.
"Road
Recovery and Crazy James have left their mark on the adolescents
in recovery on the North Shore (of Boston). They have the ability
to reach many those children who have yet to make a connection
with those in recovery in their world. Thank you for sharing your
stories and keeping the word alive." -
Michelle D. Lipinski, Director, Northshore Recovery High School,
Beverly, MA
"Road Recovery provided our
youth with an amazing and interesting outlook on sobriety, addictions
and mental health issues. The interaction was phenomenal and the
bands music was truly enjoyed. Thank you for this opportunity to
allow our youth in program to connect with other teens battling
many of life's hardships and displaying hope, dedication to healing,
and stability in working through mental health/addictions. Thank
You!" - Audrey Connell, Aurora House, Lockport, NY
Aurora House staff - Rebecca Ruchames (far
left), Audrey Connell (rear left), Pat Davis (center) Khalid Siddiqui
(center rear) wish Road Recovery’s
Jack Bookbinder (far right) & Crazy James band members safe passage after
their “Meeting & Music”outreach outside the Lockport, NY
facility.
Take Action! tent Tour Manager – Sumner Komro (left), Road Recovery booth
staff Tim Barr, Jack Bookbinder, Warped Founder – Kevin Lyman and Road
Recovery’s Ryan Aussem (far right) join forces for a third consecutive
year!
"All
of us at Vans Warped Tour are proud to support Road Recovery with
their mission of helping those with drug and alcohol abuse problems.
The Music Industry can be a stressful and often times destructive
influence in a person's life. We are proud to work with an organization
like Road Recovery who wants to re-imagine that lifestyle and hopes
to use music, and the connections that it can make, to help people
in need."– Sumner
Komro – Tour Manager, Vans Warped Tour, Take Action! non-profit
outreach tent.
FRIDAY,
AUGUST 3, 2007 :: Road Recovery Summer '07 Tour Returns To Tulsa,
OK – DFEST
DFEST '07 [Diversafest] (July 27-28th), TULSA,
OK – In
reaction to the outpouring of support after last year’s
Road Recovery Exhibition Booth by DFEST
Founders – Angie
DeVore, Tom Green and her team, SPIN
Magazine, Gibson Guitars, The Music Store (Tulsa, OK), Jeff
Buckley Music, Scott Booker (World’s
Fair, manager for The Flaming Lips), and Jim
Bell (legendary Tulsa drummer, Road Recovery’s ‘ground
support’), Road Recovery returned to DFEST ’07 with
their band Crazy James to stake claim in Tulsa,
Oklahoma!
Road Recovery Exhibition 'outreach' Booth
(Friday-Saturday): [sponsored by: SPIN Magazine,
Gibson Guitars, The Music Store (Tulsa, OK), Jeff
Buckley Music] provided information to DFEST attendees
along with free SPIN Magazines, Jeff Buckley guitar picks, and
$1.00 raffle tickets to win a NEW Gibson Epiphone Les
Paul Custom guitar donated by Gibson Guitars and an Alvarez
RD-10 Acoustic guitar donated by The Music Store (Tulsa,
OK).
Drawing the winning $1.00 raffle tickets at the Road Recovery DFEST booth for
donated guitars by Road Recovery Sponsors – Gibson Guitars & The
Music Store (Tulsa, OK).
Crazy James lead vocalist – Meghan Breen expresses her appreciation to
Road Recovery’s Tulsa man – Drummer, Jim Bell for all his help
in bringing Road Recovery/Crazy James to Tulsa, OK.
Kenio Chavero (center) from Chihuahua, Mexico who purchased a single
$1.00 raffle ticket wins an Alvarez RD-10 Acoustic guitar donated
by The Music Store (Tulsa, OK) with Road Recovery’s Gene Bowen
(left) and Jack Bookbinder (right) at the Road Recovery’s DFEST
booth.
Jill Richardson (center) from Oklahoma City struts it after winning
a Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Custom guitar donated by Gibson Guitars
with Road Recovery ‘Dad’ Doug McTavish (left) and Jack
Bookbinder @ the Road Recovery DFEST booth.
Crazy James DFEST
gig @ The Blue Dome Diner (Friday night): Road Recovery’s
Crazy James band created a stampeding, altered set of music that
confronted such realities as addiction, insanity, murder, pain,
misery, hope, joy, possibility and a way out. Crazy James, consisting
of all sober members, performed a forty-minute set that reached
out and grabbed the attention of DFEST press bloggers and festival-goers
curious to experience the un-alternative NYC band.
Mikey, Drummer, Shiny Toy Guns (front/kneeling) & his
Production Manager – Rob Dubuss (bearded, second from right),
members of the Road Recovery family 'crossroads' with Crazy James
bandmates @ DFEST, Blue Dome Diner in Tulsa, OK.
Crazy James onstage during their DFEST – Blue Dome Diner gig located
in the downtown Blue Dome District of Tulsa, OK
Flaming Lips
front man Wayne Coyne 'in the kitchen' meeting with Road Recovery
Founders (Saturday afternoon): In support of Road Recovery’s
non-profit outreach for teens suffering from addiction issues
and other adversities in the NYC area and now beyond, Scott
Booker (manager for The Flaming Lips) orchestrated an
impromptu meeting between Road Recovery Founders – Jack
Bookbinder & Gene Bowen with the front man of The Flaming
Lips and veritable ‘Willy Wonka of Alternative Rock’ -
Wayne Coyne. ‘The kitchen meeting’ yielded an in-depth
discussion about Bowen’s substance abuse adventure into
near death as a result of his fears and inability to navigate
from adolescence into adulthood. Bookbinder and Bowen provided
Coyne insight into Road Recovery’s programs where teens
gain much needed support, resources, and skills in order to find
their way toward a happy future after suffering through the horrors
of drug/alcohol addiction.
"Pot is fun and should be legal. For some that’s
all it is…for those with addictive personalities, they
can face a treacherous road and I’ve seen it happen to
some of my friends over the years. Crystal Meth, Heroin, Coke,
all that stuff can overtake you. This idea of Road Recovery
helps kids avoid the treacherous road of the drugs that can
overtake you."
-Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips ‘category’
Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder (second in from the right),
an old school Flaming Lips fan exposes Crazy James band members & Road
Recovery’s
Jim Bell to their first Lips show!
Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder (left) and Gene Bowen (center) hide out "in
the kitchen" with Wayne Coyne, The Flaming Lips [category], to chat about
Road Recovery’s history, mission and programs.
Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips SPINS it with Road Recovery’s Gene Bowen
(left seated), DFEST Founder, Angie DeVore (center seated), Road Recovery’s
Jack Bookbinder (second from right seated), and Scott Booker (World’s
Fair, manager for The Flaming Lips) (right seated) and other DFEST staff (standing)
in support of SPIN Magazines sponsorship of Road Recovery’s participation
@ DFEST!
Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips 'category' signs his
regards to Road Recovery’s Crazy James: "Hey Crazy James – Good
Luck in the Mid-West, Wayne".
Road Recovery/Crazy
James "Meeting & Music" outreach/give back @ Tulsa’s
12&12 Center (Saturday night): The members of Crazy
James band whose ages range from 17-24 years, and with clean
time spanning from one to five years, delivered their message
of hope and possibility from active drug/alcohol addiction into
an exciting life being clean and sober. Crazy James delivered
their message through an interactive share with inpatient and
outpatient folks and alumni of Tulsa’s 12&12
Center For Addiction Treatment and Recovery (formerly
the Sheraton Hotel where Elvis Presley once stayed!). The night
culminated when Crazy James band amped-up, plugged in, and ignited
a fully charged electric set of original music, sending the already
emotional gathering into a complete frenzy!!
"Spectacular, awesome, appreciated and incredible!!!
I want to express my sincere appreciation to Road Recovery
and your mission. This was such a successful evening for us.
The clients and I just loved Crazy James!! Wow, their recovery
stories touched and moved so many and the music was simply
outstanding. My hats off to you folks! Thanks for coming to
Oklahoma, thanks for coming to 12 & 12 and thanks for your
mission. I look forward to keeping in touch, and hopefully
working together again! Please extend my deepest appreciation
and respect to everyone in the band, they will be remembered
for a long, long time around here."– Bryan Day,
Director of Business Relations, 12 and 12, Inc.
Road Recovery’s "Tulsa Ground Support" Drummer – Jim
Bell (left) brings 12&12 - Bryan Day, Director of Business Relations
(center) together with Road Recovery’s Gene Bowen for Crazy
James band’s "Meeting & Music" outreach event.
12&12’s Bryan Day (second from left standing) feeling the love from
Road Recovery team and Crazy James musicians after their emotionally powered "Meeting & Music" outreach
event at 12&12 Center in Tulsa, OK.
TUESDAY,
JULY 10, 2007: Road Recovery Gives Thanks To Jeff Buckley Family & Fans!
It’s surreal to know that ten years have passed since
Jeff Buckley’s death and in the foreground, Road Recovery’s
ten year celebration is quickly approaching. At the crossroads
of these two anniversaries it seemed timely to express our sincere
thanks to the fans who have given freely of themselves to assure
that Road Recovery continues to have a positive impact on the
lives of young people.
Amanda
Armstrong - The Fall in Light Foundation Inc (Australia) – In-Kind
Support
Gareth Bidder (United Kingdom) – In-Kind Support
Mike Davies (United Kingdom) – In-Kind Support
Tiffanie DeBartolo (NY) – Financial/In-Kind Support
Beth Eisenberg, Amy Capomacchio - A Grateful Company (PA) – Financial
Support
Catherine Harrison - Purple Voodoo Productions (Toronto, Canada) – Financial/In-Kind
Support
Mike Mahoney (Florida) – In-Kind Support
Jaqui Maylott (Florida) – Financial/In-Kind Support
Jeff Buckley hired me to be his tour
manager for two reasons: my devotion to Frank Zappa, and the fact
that my two-year and counting sobriety from active drug/alcohol addiction
took precedence over anything or anybody – including Jeff Buckley…
The support of my life choices and the respect I received from
Jeff, Michael Tighe, Mick Grondahl, Matty
Johnson, our road crew, Jeff’s management team, especially Jack
Bookbinder, the many
folks at Sony Music Entertainment worldwide, Mary
Guibert (Jeff’s
mom who wrote beautiful notes of support and prepared wonderful
home-cooked meals) and countless others whose paths we crossed
during the two year Grace campaign is something I will carry in
my heart for rest of my days.
The experience of returning to the road as a ‘sober’ tour
manager, matched by the amazing team of people surrounding Jeff
Buckley, was the seedling for what became The Road Recovery Foundation
in 1998.
While in Memphis during the recordings for My Sweetheart The Drunk,
Jeff and I discussed my idea of creating a non-profit organization
for entertainment industry professionals who had come to terms
with life adversities (addiction, mental health issues, diabetes,
etc.) and provide them with the opportunity to share their life
and professional experiences with young people. Jeff decided that
Road Recovery’s outreach would play an active role throughout
his next world tour.
Road Recovery’s front line – (L-R)
Jack Bookbinder, Anthony Nater, and Gene Bowen.
Not long after May 29,
1997, Mary Guibert, who was in the midst of suffering the loss of
her son, took on the responsibility of making sure that Road Recovery
and its work became a reality. Her personal commitment, big mouth,
resources, including financial, techno-internet wizardry, and savvy
street smart business experience made it possible for The Road Recovery
Foundation to be launched in February 1998, and it continues to grow
beyond our wildest dreams.
On behalf of everyone involved with Road Recovery, we are deeply
grateful to the Jeff Buckley worldwide family for transforming
loss and pain into ‘random acts of kindness’ for the
sake of others!
FRIDAY,
JUNE 22, 2007 :: Road Recovery’s Spring 2007 Programs Sadly
Come To Fruition!
Road Recovery’s Graham A.R.T.S.
(A Road To Success)
teens let loose under the lights.
Graham-Windham (helping under-served children overcome obstacles
on the path to self-sufficiency for more than 200 years - www.graham-windham.org)
located on Hastings-on-Hudson and Notre
Dame of Mt. Carmel, (a
Roman Catholic parish dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional,
and spiritual needs of their parish & community - www.ndcarmel.com)
in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey celebrate the impact on all those
involved in Road Recovery’s Performance Workshops 2007
programs.
Charles
McTavish – Road
Recovery Peer Support Staff After nearly three years being
involved with Road Recovery as a participant, I’m now a Road
Recovery peer support staff which allows me the opportunity to give
back to those in the same situation as I was in. It’s the coolest
thing. Working with Road Recovery has reconnected me with music in
my life. I play violin, drums, guitar, piano, saxophone, and I sing.
The main thing that makes Road Recovery work is that it opens
the kids’ eyes out there. They learn that they are not alone
and that you can be sober and not feel like you live in a convent.
You can love life, after trudging through addiction.
I’m nineteen years old…I know what works with young
people and what doesn’t! Road Recovery’s Performance
Workshops Programs work!
Kathy – parent of Road Recovery program participant Before
our daughter entered into recovery, our family life was in turmoil.
We walked on egg shells, trying not to upset her. She was the center
of our lives and orchestrated everything that went on.
Every other day, the police were at our door. She stopped taking
care of herself. She was hard to awaken each day. She cursed at
us on a regular basis, which she had never done before drugs. Life
was out of control.
We made her attend Road Recovery’s program in New Jersey.
Even though she was sober, she didn’t want to go at all.
After the first night, and I cannot say this without crying, she
said, “These people are so happy and not doing drugs. I want
to be like them.” She has been coming ever since.
Burnt Toast band ablaze during their finale at Road Recovery’s
Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel, NJ program.
Graham A.R.T.S. singers mix old & new school with back
beats provided by Road Recovery teen staff Charles McTavish.
Tommy Dudley – Road Recovery Staff
(singer, Blues Buddha)
I began chasing Road Recovery with all the passion I could muster up
after attending one of their Saturday Matinee shows at The Living Room
on the lower east side of Manhattan. I was totally inspired by the
love and creativity and intrigued by the concept behind Road Recovery’s
work with young people.
Addiction is a family disease. Road Recovery works because of
the way it is set up. Road Recovery addresses the disease of addiction
via the clinicians who are overseeing the kids care. There is much
love and healing from the Road Recovery staff and among the young
people participating in the program. The music and artistry itself
is healing. The disease of addiction is self-centered fear. Road
Recovery uses the arts to help young people face that fear screaming
inside them, builds self-esteem, pulls them together as a community,
and in the end without even knowing gets them out of themselves.
Jenna – Road Recovery program participant (17 years
old) I always thought no one would understand me or what
I’m
going through. At Road Recovery, I’m an addict who is bi-polar,
with all these emotions. At Road Recovery, I immediately met four
people just like me. I am not alone.
At first, my parents made me go to Road Recovery. I am really
shy, so it was hard to go. When I arrived, I saw people my age
having fun, and having fun without drugs. I had no musical background,
but shared that I could write. The staff asked me to put words
together on how I was feeling right then and how I felt in the
early days of my recovery. I just put it down on paper, with another
girl who was going through the same thing as me. The Road Recovery
crew turned my words into melodies and soon an amazing song appeared!
That’s how the “No Easy Way Out” song got written.
Now, I feel like I accomplished something, and that's not something
drug addicts get to feel.
Now that I am sober, having fun with people is a much better high
than drugs. People don’t think it is, at least the active
users don’t, but it is true. At Road Recovery, I feel close
to everyone. They genuinely care and support me. I feel safe at
Road Recovery.
Road Recovery teen staff - Ryan Aussem ‘jams-it’ with
Burnt Toast saxophonist - Ryan Smith center stage.
Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel Parish Volunteers, (left) Linda LaVitola
(Fundraising), Agnes Loughlin & Spags (Hospitality) along with more than 100 fellow
parishioners rolled up their sleeves each week in support of Road Recovery’s
New Jersey program.
Nick – Road
Recovery program participant (19 years old) I was in denial
for a lot of years, and did not feel like I really needed help.
I was inspired by my older brother who quit drugs. He helped me
quit, and now we help each other stay clean.
When I first heard about Road Recovery, I figured I would check
it out. After I quit drugs, I kept my distance from people, even
people in recovery. I was afraid that people who were newly sober
could relapse, which could make me relapse. Road Recovery has been
pretty nice and chilling, meeting with people who have been through
the same things as I went through. Addicts are people who need
help but don’t ask. Road Recovery gives help without waiting
to be asked. The Road Recovery staff share from their own experience,
and I learn and relate a lot to them.
For the music, I am playing the conga drums which are fun to play.
I was not inclined for drums, since you need to use both hands
for different things. One instrument I would like to learn is the
guitar. You look good when you play. And it gets you chicks.
Elisa Street – Road Recovery Staff (percussionist) When
young people first join Road Recovery, they are nervous, fearful,
closed and suspicious. Because the Road Recovery staff has lived
through similar adversities in their lives as the teen participants
a mutual respect exists which causes the kids to open up.
Road Recovery works because the whole staff is ignited and passionate
about the process of coming together to create something greater
than ourselves through the kids. The outcome is amazing. The songs
are astounding. I sit with the young people and simply ask them
what is on their mind. They think they’re speaking gibberish,
they give me one sentence at a time and before you know it, the
sentences form poems and then lyrics which become songs.
This year, the kids wrote a song about wanting an easy way out,
only to realize there is no easy way out. No matter who you are,
whatever you’re plagued with, you want an easy way out. The
song speaks to everyone.
I am so happy to have the opportunity to make a difference through
music.
Amber – Road Recovery program participant (17 years
old) I am both bi-polar and an addict. Before recovery, I
was not going to school. I tried to commit suicide. I was with an
abusive boyfriend. Basically, I was out of control and no one knew
how to handle me. I knew I needed help and was sent away…
In other programs, people are there because they have to be. The
court made them go. In Road Recovery, people come because they
want to. Road Recovery is fun. The staff people are fun. The music
is fun. I feel free when I’m at Road Recovery. It doesn't
matter what you sound like, the staff always says we are great.
I had no music experience at all. The Road Recovery folks always
find a part for you and encourage all of us to keep moving forward.
Road Recovery is a place where I want to come. We’re like
a little family.
Inha – Road
Recovery program participant (17 years old)
Before recovery, I got arrested and I violated probation twice
with narcotics. I was sent to an in-patient place. I knew I needed
it. I had wanted to stop for a year before that, and I just couldn’t
stop.
The Road Recovery staff gives us a place to share what’s
on our mind; no matter what it is...everyone gives feedback from
their experiences. No one is judgmental. We all learn from one
another.
Road Recovery’s amazing staff find a moment to stand still: (front row)
Charles McTavish (left), Ryan Aussem (center), Tommy Dudley (right) – (back
row) Ilya Mandel (left), Owen Comaskey, Elisa Street, Lucky O’Donnell,
Dr. Scott Bienenfeld (right).
After we huddle together
to share what’s going on in our lives we practice and create
a performance. I have never performed. I was really scared the
first time I sang in front of people. Everyone was so supportive
and helpful which relieved a lot of the stress.
The creative aspect of Road Recovery is so special and very important.
It expresses everything we are feeling. The music excites things
more, and addicts need to be excited. We all play together, so
we work as one, we become one through the process of Road Recovery.
MONDAY,
JUNE 11, 2007 :: Joan As Police Woman Invites Road Recovery Teens
Backstage!
Joan Wasser (far right) & old friend Jack Bookbinder (Road
Recovery) exchange ‘life’ experiences with Road
Recovery sober teens after Joan As Police Woman’s soundcheck.
Road Recovery teens sandwich together next to Author & Road
Recovery Executive Board member, Tiffanie DeBartolo (center)
Joan Wasser (right), and Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder
(far right) backstage @ the Blender Theater at Gramercy in NYC.
On June 6th, 2007, the Road Recovery teens met up with singer/songwriter/
pianist/violinist/guitarist and
all around cool girl, Joan Wasser, formerly of The
Damnbuilders, Black Beetle, Those Bastard Souls, as well
as other renowned musical projects.
Joan, who currently fronts Joan As Police
Woman, was opening
that night for her pal Rufus Wainwright at the sold-out Blender
Theater at Gramercy in New York City, but took time out of her
soundcheck to spend some quality time meeting with the youthful
gang from Road Recovery, and sharing her experiences.
Joan was candid enough to offer her impressions on how life
on the road is different and more rewarding as a sober individual,
and she talked at length about how much she enjoys going to meetings
in new places, particularly the United Kingdom, from whence she
just returned. Joan, who lives in Brooklyn when she's not on
tour, then asked the Road Recovery teens where they attended
meetings, and the whole group compared notes on some of their
favorite spots in the city. Joan even bonded with one of the
teens over a shared love of Bikram Yoga.
"Road Recovery is part of the incredible
path to ultimate freedom! Thank You!" - Joan As Police Woman
Joan's new record, Real Life, will be released in the United
States on June 12, 2007 on Cheap Lullaby Records.
For more information on Joan As Police Woman, or to check out
the tour dates, go to www.joanaspolicewoman.com,
or www.myspace.com/joanaspolicewoman.
FRIDAY,
MAY 25, 2007: All Access with Slash & Velvet Revolver For Road
Recovery Teens!!!
(L-R) Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder, teens - Amanda
B. & Dave S. along with Gene Bowen (Road Recovery) huddle
around Slash and Dave Kushner backstage at the Nokia Theatre.
Slash (left) joking offstage with Road
Recovery teens during soundcheck.
"I
found it inspiring to be in the company of two rock stars who were
so humble and willing to sit among us and share their life experiences
without reservations with the sole intention of making a positive
difference in our lives."
– Dave S. (Road Recovery teen)
New York, May 22, 2007 – MusiCares Senior
Director, supporter and friend Harold Owens connected
Road Recovery teens with legendary Guns n' Roses axe-man Slash and
his childhood friend and band mate Dave Kushner (Wasted
Youth, Loaded) of the
five-headed rock and roll beast known as Velvet
Revolver.
Slash and Kushner jammed with ex-Gn'R & The
Cult drummer
Matt Sorum for soundcheck which was ONLY witnessed by the Road
Recovery group. Slash and Kushner spent more than an hour backstage
with the teens for an unforgettable first-hand musical experience
and supported the kids and their sobriety. They autographed Velvet
Revolver t-shirts and a Gibson black Epiphone
Les Paul electric
guitar for Road Recovery to sell for a future eBay charity auction.
Slash then requested a copy of the kids’ Crazy James 2-song
CD and offered tickets to the Road Recovery group for the final
night of the band's 'preview tour' at the sold-out Nokia Theatre
in Times Square, New York City.
"Once you find that you want this [Road Recovery], it’s
something tangible that you can achieve & very much worth the
effort…"
– Slash, guitarist, (Velvet Revolver)
"Road Recovery…It’s the one program that actually
helped me as much as I helped them! Thank You!!"
- Dave Kushner, guitarist (Velvet Revolver)
Velvet Revolver is Scott Weiland (lead vocals), Slash
(guitars), Kushner (guitars), Duff McKagan (bass) and Matt
Sorum (drums). The members each bring a wealth of
rock history to the band: Weiland fronted Stone Temple Pilots
and Slash, McKagan and Sorum were the heart of Guns N' Roses.
The band releases their second CD entitled 'Libertad' on July
3, 2007 on RCA Records. "The feel, the energy of Libertad
is about the eternal struggle for freedom - personal and social
freedoms."
Gibson Guitars/The Gibson Foundation continues
their generous commitment to the non-profit organization by
donating a black Epiphone Les Paul & hard case which was signed
backstage by Slash and Kushner. Proceeds from the autographed Gibson
guitar will go to furthering Road Recovery's outreach programs
to young people in the NYC community and beyond...
Thank you Harold Owens - Road Recovery sends you our very best
wishes!
Velvet Revolver guitarist – Dave Kushner (center) discusses
Road Recovery’s mission with founders, Gene Bowen (left),
Jack Bookbinder (right), and discovers many mutual friends
involved with the non-profit organization.
Velvet Revolver guitarist – Dave Kushner autographing Gibson’s
donated black Epiphone Les Paul guitar.
Slash autographing Velvet Revolver t-shirts for all the Road Recovery
teens backstage
Slash & Dave Kushner onstage during their
blistering Velvet Revolver NYC show
Slash
autographs Gibson’s donated black Epiphone Les Paul guitar
with his classic skull & bones signature
Gibson’s donated black Epiphone Les Paul guitar autographed
by Velvet Revolver’s guitarists – Slash and Dave Kushner
FRIDAY,
MAY 18, 2007 :: Road Recovery’s Jewish Board Program Scores
A Hit!
(Left) MajorWho Media - Jeremy Sklarsky,
Sheldon Steiger hang after recording 'For the Kids' with Drummer,
Parker Kindred (center), James Walsh - Threshold Music Studios & Bassist,
Lee Nadel (right)
Parker Kindred recording 'For the Kids' drum tracks @ Threshold
Music Studios in NYC
Some of the Ittleson Center children getting ready to record
their backing vocals
Wednesday, May 16th marked the culmination of Road Recovery’s
fourth year partnering with the The Henry
Ittleson Center and
Jewish Board for Family & Children Services (JBFCS) by supporting
Road Recovery’s successful Performance Workshops program
to more than thirty-eight incredible kids. The Ittleson Center
serves children (ages: 6-13 years) with emotional needs and serious
psychiatric issues.
Success with this program is a result of the dedicated efforts
by Road Recovery’s creative staff who each have overcome
enormous personnel adversities in their own lives, and are now
transforming the young lives of others. Each member of Road Recovery’s
creative staff has found a way to combine their life experiences
and professional artistry in a healthy and creative forum spanning
several weeks. The end process culminates into a stage performance
for all to witness the gifts that these talented children possess.
This year a spark occurred over thirty-eight kids at the Center
were lead by Road Recovery’s creative staff (vocalist
- Wendy Caplan, musician - Owen Comaskey, dancer - Jesse Phillips-Fein,
musician/teen support leader - Charles McTavish, percussionist
- Elisa Street & teen volunteer, Hillary Reinsberg) who began
an exploration of what they were feeling about their world and
other kids through writing, music, percussion and dance.
In less than a week…a roughly recorded scratch track
with lyrics by twelve year old Brianna surfaced. The track was
enhanced by backing vocals by more than a dozen Ittleson Center
kids. The recording was overheard by the owners of MajorWho
Media including Producer – Sheldon
Steiger (credits include Joe
Jackson, Joss Stone, Bon Jovi, Desmond Child, The Verve Pipe,
Paul Simon, PM Dawn, Larry Mullin) and partner James
Walsh who
both immediately opened their studio (Threshold
Music) doors
for the kids to experience the recording process for a series
of studio sessions.
Like an uncontrollable wildfire,
Steiger and Walsh drew the support of drummer Parker
Kindred (Adam
Green, Antony and The Johnsons, Jeff Buckley), bassist Lee
Nadel (Life House, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer) among other friends to help
track the music of Road Recovery’s Owen Comaskey to tape.
Finally, legendary mastering engineer Fred
Kevorkian (Willie Nelson,
Ryan Adams, The White Stripes, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Iggy
Pop and many others) was invited to master the Steiger and Walsh
produced track which the kids entitled For
the Kids.
"The effect a little girl's song had on all of us, well...it
was quite overwhelming to be truthful. What seemed like a simple,
cool idea and a way of giving back snowballed and eventually
drew a crowd of talented folks who wanted to get involved and
make a difference in their lives. We just did our best to facilitate
the process, keep it organized, and let it happen in an honest
and organic way.
The Ittleson Center gang hanging out in the control room @ Threshold
Music Studios in NYC after recording 'For the Kids'
Writer/Singer - Brianna @ Threshold Music Studios recording her lead
and backing vocal tracks
In the end we all
got more out of working with the kids than we ever gave! I believe
that the experience of involving the kids directly in producing
their art and staying involved in the entire recording process
actually makes a positive difference in their lives!
The kids really had a ball and were like
sponges, soaking up the knowledge and the experience as it happened.
The whole thing was really great." - James Walsh, Major Who Media, Threshold Music
Studios
Threshold Music Studios - James Walsch (left),
MajorWho Media, Producer - Sheldon Steiger, Singer/Writer - Brianna,
Ittleson Center Staff & Backing
Vocalist - Antonia Barba, Road Recovery Creative Staff - Owen Comaskey
(right) are all smiles after hearing the final mix of 'For The Kids'
The magic mix...Road Recovery's Creative Staff
(left) teen volunteer - Hillary Reinsberg, Dance - Jesse Phillips-Fein,
Singer - Wendy Caplan, Percussionist - Elisa Street, Music - Owen
Comaskey, & (far
right) Music - Charles McTavish, get chummy after their weekly
creative workshops at the Ittleson Center in Riverdale, The Bronx.
Click the CD cover For the Kids for a sample listen:
For the
Kids
(This recording is an outgrowth of Road Recovery’s Performance
Workshops program at the Henry Ittleson Center)
Produced by James Walsh, Sheldon Steiger and
Jeremy Sklarsky for
Major Who Media.
Recorded and Mixed by Major Who @ Threshold Music Studios, NYC.
Mastered by: Fred Kevorkian @ Kevorkian Mastering, NYC.
Road Recovery wishes to thank our amazing Creative Staff…Wendy,
Owen, Jesse, Elisa, Charles, Major Who Media, Threshold Music
Studios, the entire Ittleson Center staff who, without their
support this CD would not be possible! Our Ittleson kids – we
love you!!!, Dr. Elizabeth Osborne, Sonya Fluskey, Kathy Forte,
Antonia Barba, Carter, and Hillary Reinsberg.
Special Thanks to the Ittleson Center Divisional Committee for
their continuous generosity and support of enriching our children’s
lives through Road Recovery. Ms. Lori Reinsberg, Ms. Laurie Sprayregan,
Ms. Andrea Feirnstein, Ms. Lauren Bloom, Ms. Marla Helene, Ms.
Vicki Aronstam, Ms. Toni Bernstein, Ms. Amy Liss, Ms. Ellen Lowey,
Ms.Cheryl Rosen, Ms. Susan Bram, Ms. Elizabeth Sahlman, Ms. Janet
Ginsberg, Ms. Debra Staley, Ms. Stacey Bennett, Ms. Kay Adler.
WEDNESDAY,
MAY 2, 2007 :: ROAD RECOVERY’S CRAZY JAMES LANDS ON PRINCETON
HIGH SCHOOL!
Crazy James band delivering their message at full volume in front
of 400 Princeton High School freshmen
Princeton High School seniors: Singer/Songwriter,
Sarah Wilson (center) & Vocalist,
Zanna (right) perform Sarah’s pop-hit ‘Cry’ onstage
with Crazy James!
DAWN - Wednesday, April
25, 2007: Road Recovery staff, Crazy James band members,
and Boulevard Pro’s 24-foot truck packed with concert sound
gear all traveled in formation through the pre-dawn hours to
New Jersey’s colonial town of Princeton. Today’s
mission had Crazy James jam live in front of four hundred freshman
at Princeton High School to deliver a message
of hope and possibility via their music and personal life stories.
Giving back to others is what drives the members of the sober
youth band Crazy James to show up at any hour! Together, with the
support of facility at Princeton High School (Joyce Jones & Gwen
Kimsal), approximately forty senior class peer leaders collaborated
with Road Recovery and Crazy James to present a concert featuring
Crazy James whose teen and young adult members are all sober. Additionally,
Road Recovery & Crazy James invited two performing artists
(singer/songwriter Sarah Wilson and the band Atlas Ataxia) from
the senior class at Princeton High School, to join the sober youth
band onstage.
"Performing with Crazy James was an amazing experience. I
had so much fun and will never forget it!" - Sarah Wilson, Artist/Singer, Princeton High School
senior
After the one hour concert event, the masses of more than four-hundred
freshman students moved into classrooms for small group breakout
sessions with each member of Crazy James. Facilitated by Princeton
High senior peer leaders, the breakout sessions gave each band
member the opportunity to field questions and share their stories
more in depth. These incredible life stories included messages
that explain from the members how they ‘lived to use drugs & used
them to live’, and their ‘living examples’ that
no matter how bad life gets…there is a way out!
The funding for Road
Recovery’s concert/discussion event at Princeton High School
(Freshmen Class Conference) was provided by Corner House (Gary
DeBlasio & Jacqui Schreiber) and the Princeton Alcohol
and Drug Alliance through the Mercer County Office
on Addiction Services and the Governor's Council
on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
FRIDAY,
APRIL 20, 2007 :: Road Recovery Teens Experience The Metropolitan
Opera & Primary Stages
In the tradition of ‘Doing Service/Giving Back’ Road Recovery supporters
Julie Borchard and legendary actor, news commentator and writer Charles
Grodinmade it possible for teens associated with Road Recovery up front access to two
amazing performances.
Sunday, April 15th – Youth
supported by Road Recovery plus staff were personally invited by
Charles Grodin to attend 'An
Evening of Humor and More with Charles Grodin', a benefit performance for Primary Stages artistic programs.
Two youths, one an aspiring actor, the other a hip-hop recording
artist, both attended for free the staged event at the new 59E59
Theater in Midtown Manhattan.
Road Recovery youth supporter Mr. Grodin talked about his amusing
adventures on Broadway, in Hollywood, on TV, and in the radio
and literary worlds. Mr. Grodin further mentioned Road Recovery
to the packed house, and then proceeded to recant some famous
lines from the film Midnight Run (1988). At a post-show reception,
Mr. Grodin spent several private moments with the youth supported
by Road Recovery, offering advice, support and encouragement
with their career goals. Thank you Charles Grodin and “We
got the Duke”!
Monday, April 16th – The
Metropolitan Opera Presented – TURANDOT,
Puccini’s last opera, staring sopranos Andrea
Gruber & Hei-Kyung
Hong and tenor Richard Margison who all performed on a breathtaking
stage production created by Franco Zeffirelli. In an effort
to expose Road Recovery teens’ ‘eyes & ears’ beyond
a rock show, Julie Borchard, a Road Recovery Executive Board
Member and the Director, High Definition Distribution for The
Metropolitan Opera, provided box seats to the SOLD OUT performance
at New York’s Lincoln Center.
“Going to the opera??? I had no idea what to expect! I can’t
get Puccini’s melodies out of my head, especially Nessun
dorma from Act III, I had tears running down my face. The staging,
costumes and sets are breathtaking…you can’t explain
it…it’s unbelievable! Thank You Julie, We Love You!” - Lucky, Road Recovery teen
Julie Borchard (Road Recovery supporter/Director, The Metropolitan
Opera)(far left) pre-performance hang with Road Recovery teens
outside The Met @ Lincoln Center
Puccini’s Turandot on-stage at The Metropolitan
Opera, Lincoln Center, NY
FRIDAY,
MARCH 23, 2007 :: SXSW Music Conference Rolls Out The Red Carpet
For Road Recovery
BJ O’Shea from Edmond, OK making her
purchase of 200 raffle tickets!
BJ O’Shea cleans up, winning both
donated Gibson Guitars!
Tiffanie DeBartolo (Road Recovery Executive
Board Member, novelist, and Bright Antenna Entertainment co-owner/executive)
front & center
workin’ Road Recovery’s booth with her label mates;
L-R, Jack Bookbinder (Road Recovery), Scott
Schumaker (Bright Antenna
Entertainment), Gene Bowen (Road Recovery), Ben
Heldfond & Sep
V. (Bright Antenna Entertainment).
SXSW turned up the volume for Road Recovery at
this year's
SXSW Music Conference in Austin, Texas from
March 14 to 17, 2007. In an unprecedented outpouring of support,
the non-profit organization Road Recovery received widespread
industry recognition thanks to the committed efforts by the SXSW
organizers. SXSW selected Road Recovery to present a panel entitled
"Doing Service, Giving Back" in addition to assigning
Road Recovery a booth with a premier location in the trade show
exhibition hall so the staff could outreach to the 12,000 attendees.
Leading up to the SXSW Music Conference, Road Recovery received
support from PROMETA who
underwrote Road Recovery’s
attendance/ booth/ giveaway bag stuffer. In addition, the law
firms of Akerman
Senterfitt underwrote Road Recovery’s
panel. The Gibson Foundation’s guitar donations (Epiphone
Acoustic DR 200 SVS and a Gibson
Les Paul Standard) were each
auctioned off at the Road Recovery booth via a $1.00 raffle.
100% of all collected proceeds will go towards Road Recovery’s
non-profit programming.
The presence of Road Recovery supporters
was deeply felt; Mary Guibert (Jeff Buckley Music, Road Recovery
Advisory Board Member), Alex Rene, Esq. (Akerman Senterfitt,
Road Recovery Executive Board Member), Margaret
Saadi-Kramer (Artist Manger, Muscle Tone Records), Tiffanie
DeBartolo (Road
Recovery Executive Board Member, novelist, and Bright Antenna
Entertainment co-owner/executive) and her label mates from
Bright Antenna joined fellow Road Recovery supporters by flying
into Austin to support the cause!
Road Recovery’s proactive
SXSW panel "Doing Service, Giving Back" brought
together Wayne Kramer (Owner, MuscleTone Records, and founding
member of the legendary music group MC5), Tom
Morello (Artist:
The Nightwatchman, Audioslave, Rage Against The Machine), Harold
Owens (Senior Director, MusiCares/MAP Foundation), Dr.
David Smith (Medical Director, Prometa), Walter
Yetnikoff (Road Recovery Executive
Board Member, Legendary Music Industry Executive) and Road Recovery
Founder Gene Bowen who moderated the panel.
Road Recovery’s panel provided an informal forum for all-star
panel participants to discuss the benefits of giving service by:
helping
others has filled a void in their lives
establishing unbelievable
personal relationships
providing indescribable life experiences
revealing the ability
to think beyond oneself
Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder (center)
hanging with Oklahoma friends & supporters Kunek (Play
Tyme Entertainment) after their breathtaking SXSW show.
Joan As Police Women ,
Road Recovery supporter Joan Wasser center
stage at SXSW.
Participants were motivated to do something for others and were given
simple suggestions on how to get started. In response to the panel,
Road Recovery has received a tremendous outpouring of emails from
various music industry professionals who want to get involved in
outreach through Road Recovery. For more information on "Doing
Service, Giving Back", please visit: www.roadrecovery.com/help_us.html
"They say 'if you don't stand up for something,
you’ll fall for anything' and I think that’s
really true. Have the courage to stand up for one another and
those less fortunate. I support Road Recovery’s efforts
and everyone involved in the work of this amazing organization.
I wish them all the best"– Tom Morello, The Nightwatchman,
Audioslave, Rage Against The Machine
"Road Recovery is THE music industry organization
that addresses the issues of substance abuse prevention and
education for teenagers and young adults. MusiCares is proud
to have a professional working relationship with this wonderful
organization."– Harold Owens, Senior Director, MusiCares/Map Foundation
Wayne Kramer (founding
member of the legendary music group MC5) and self professed ‘Thorrior’ takes
control of the stage in putting the icing on another Valient
Thorr experience. GO SEE THIS BAND!
Mary Guibert (Jeff Buckley Music & Road
Recovery supporter) gets squeezed by members of the Kunek family,
all of whom are Jeff Buckley devotes.
Road Recovery’s SXSW panel in action (L-R) Wayne
Kramer, Dr. David Smith, Harold
Owens , Tom Morello, Walter
Yetnikoff , and panel moderator, Gene
Bowen.
Nightwatchman front man, TomMorello (Audioslave,
Rage Against The Machine) raises his fist for positive
change after participating at Road Recovery’s SXSW
panel.
Feeling All The Love…supporters,
sponsors, Road Recovery personnel, and guest panelists come together
to further the cause!
Artist, writer, activist, Wayne Kramer, Road
Recovery supporter (center) working the Road Recovery SXSW Trade
Show booth with Jack Bookbinder (left) & Gene Bowen (right).
FRIDAY,
MARCH 16, 2007 :: Founding Member of Squeeze – Chris Difford
Welcomes Road Recovery!
Chris Difford (front left) hanging out with
Road Recovery teens and staff - Tommy Dudley (Blues Buddha)(left
rear) & Jack Bookbinder
(right rear) after sound-check.
In the midst of a solo US tour supporting his second solo album “South
Eastside Story”, founding member of the 80’s pop
rock group Squeeze, Chris
Difford, discovered Road Recovery during
a breakfast meeting with his booking agent, Steve
Martin, President, The Agency Group.
Martin serves on the Road Recovery supporter board and his stated
personal goal is to expose Road Recovery to a wider contact base
in the entertainment industry. Upon learning about the non-profit
organization from Martin, Difford and tour manager Stuart Caldor
begin making arrangements for teens and young adults involved
in Road Recovery to attend Chris Difford’s long awaited
New York show, the first in over ten years.
Road Recovery teens were given ALL ACCESS to in-demand show
at BB King’s including a late afternoon Sound Check (with
insider commentary from Difford’s sound person) followed
by a roundtable discussion with Difford about life, music, getting
clean, staying sober, songwriting stories, bands he likes, living
in Brighton, England, and an insight into the upcoming Squeeze
reunion tour.
"Meeting the people from Road Recovery
lifted my day, we swapped Grateful Dead stories and shared in how
much being sober means to us all. Each day is a bonus, I'm so happy
to be here it’s so far from where I have been in my life,
and I'm inspired by meeting my new friends!" – Chris
Difford
Road Recovery teens and staff were given VIP seating for the
90-minute set which included Squeeze hits…"Tempted", "Pulling
Mussels (From the Shell)", "Black Coffee In Bed", "Cool
For Cats" and "Annie Get Your Gun", just to name
a few…
"I wasn’t even born during the height of Squeeze’s
popularity, and yet I catch myself without even knowing, humming the
melody of their song "Tempted"! To meet and sit with Chris
(Difford), a perfect stranger who has a genuine interest in helping all
of us stay sober, simply by taking the time to hang out and talk with
us, is an awesome experience! A memory I will never forget."
– Danny
R. (Road Recovery young adult)
MONDAY,
MARCH 12, 2007 :: Road Recovery Returns to Austin, TX for SXSW
Music Conference.
Non-Profit Gains Widespread Support for Trade Show Exhibition & Unique Conference
Panel.
Thanks to SXSW Music Conference's continued commitment
and the generous sponsorship support of Hythiam, creator of Prometa treatment protocol (prometainfo.com), the law firms of Akerman
Senterfitt (akerman.com), The Gibson
Foundation (gibson.com), & Jeff
Buckley Music (jeffbuckley.com), Road Recovery returns to Austin,
TX this week to exhibit and host a star studded innovative music
panel including Wayne Kramer, Tom Morello,
Harold Owens, Dr. David Smith, Walter Yetnikoff.
SXSW – TRADE
SHOW: Austin Convention Center, Upper Level,
Grand Ballroom
Thursday, March 15 (11:30am-6pm)
Friday, March 16 (Noon-6pm)
Saturday, March 17 (Noon-4pm)
Road Recovery will be front and center (Booth
A7) on the exhibition
floor in an effort to further the non-profit’s reach, introducing
more music industry professionals and those in attendance to
the organization’s youth driven outreach programs.
Gibson Guitars Giveaway! The Gibson Foundation has
again donated two brand new guitars, an Epiphone Acoustic
DR 200 S VS and a
Gibson Les Paul Standard to be raffled away
at the Road Recovery booth for this year’s conference.
Simply buy your raffle tickets ($1 each) and
on Saturday, March 17th at 2:45 PM CST, Road Recovery will pick
the winning raffle tickets and declare the winners!
Road Recovery
friends Wayne Kramer (MuscleTone Records,
MC5), Walter Yetnikoff (Road Recovery, Legendary Music Industry
Executive), Dr. David Smith (Medical Director – Prometa, Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic), Harold Owens
(Director, MusiCares) & Mary Guibert (Jeff Buckley Music) will visit Road
Recovery’s booth on Friday, March 16th from 1:30PM-2PM for press interviews
and a chance to connect with conference attendees. Stop by the Road Recovery
booth and say hi!
SXSW – MUSIC PANEL: Austin Convention
Center, Upper Level
Saturday,
March 17 (12Noon-1:15pm) – Room 19A
Road Recovery has been
invited by SXSW to present a unique panel at this year’s
SXSW Music Conference entitled "DOING SERVICE, GIVING BACK"
Artists
and executives who have weathered personal and professional crises are
compelled to share their experiences. Their hard-won experience
has impacted their lives both personally and professionally and
has influenced many aspiring musicians and professionals to give
back. The panelists will provide simple ways music industry professionals
can make a difference in the lives of others while managing life's
demands...DO SERVICE, GIVE BACK!
Wayne Kramer, Owner, MuscleTone
Records, MC5 "Being of service is consistent
with the Athenian code that I strive to leave Athens a little nicer
than I found it. In our case, Athens is right here and right now.
It's the City Mission in Los Angeles, CA. It's in Baghdad's
medical city and in the subways of Tokyo, Japan. And it's as much in Road
Recovery at a rock and roll conference in
downtown Austin, Texas."
Tom Morello, The Nightwatchman,
Audioslave, Rage Against The Machine "My twin passions
have always been music and activism. I didn't choose to play the
guitar, it chose me. I DID however choose to fight for social justice
in my life and in my music. I believe that no one really wins unless
we all win. And if we don't stand up for each other, who will stand
up for us?"
Harold Owens, Director, MusiCares
Foundation "Service is so important to my life both
in and outside my job; it’s
what gives me inner peace…come join us!"
Dr. David Smith, Medical Director,
Prometa "I am very happy to unite with Road Recovery
who are continuing the mission of recovery of all kinds through
music and it’s industry."
Walter Yetnikoff, Road Recovery,
Legendary Music Industry Executive "We only get to
keep what we have if we freely give it away."
Road Recovery is grateful to all our SXSW ’07 Sponsors:
MONDAY,
FEBRUARY 19, 2007 :: Road Recovery Crosses the River & Launches
NJ Pilot Program
Crazy James band feelin' the love from Fr. Jude (rear center)
and members of his Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel core team.
Road Recovery's Jack Bookbinder & Notre
Dame's Fr. Justin discover a family resemblance.
The Star Ledger in
New Jersey recently reported fatal accidental drug overdoses in
the Morris County, (Morristown area) New Jersey area hit a 10-year
high in 2006, with 44 people dying from heroin, cocaine and other
drugs. The number of deaths climbed almost 70 percent
from the previous year's total of 26, with victims between 17 and
59 years old, according to law enforcement officials.
August 2006: Fr. Jude
Salus, Pastor - Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel, a Roman Catholic
parish in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey began searching for a solution
to his community’s crisis after witnessing firsthand the
devastation of drug overdoses and deaths among the youth in his
community.
Fr. Jude was introduced to Road Recovery by his old
friends, the Aussem family, whose 18 year old son Ryan credits
his two plus years of continued sobriety to being involved with
Road Recovery’s New York City program since his return
from inpatient drug rehabilitation.
Fr. Jude, with the
assistance of key members of the Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel parish,
the Aussem Family and Road Recovery staff began steps in bringing
Road Recovery’s Performance Workshops program to the Cedar
Knolls community. For more than five months, members of the Notre
Dame of Mt. Carmel Road Recovery team, lead by 'mom',
Pat Aussem, went door to door speaking with community officials,
substance abuse/outpatient programs, parents, store owners, grandparents,
and anyone who would listen….about Road Recovery and the
parishes’ efforts in launching a pilot program on March 1,
2007.
By December 2006, Fr. Jude, with the generous financial support
of his parish, committed the necessary funds to launch a Road
Recovery twelve week pilot program for Morris County teens actively
involved in staying sober and under the care of either a licensed
outpatient program or private clinician. In addition the Road
Recovery program will provide a parent drug/alcohol addiction
education program for families whose teens participate in the
program.
This past weekend, members of
the band Crazy James from New York City’s Road Recovery program,
who range from ages 16-23 and whose sobriety spans six months to
five years, shared their experience, strength, music and a message
of hope during each of the five masses held at Notre Dame of Mt.
Carmel church. The band’s appearance this past Sunday and
their upcoming Road Recovery Coffee House performance in the church
hall on Saturday, February 24th at 7:00pm will kick-off Road Recovery’s
pilot program.
"At a time when most Catholic churches
are being forced to close their doors, Fr. Jude’s church is standing room
only and in need of an addition to accommodate his growing congregation!
Fr. Jude, his core team (Pat & Ed Aussem, Joanne
Brashier, Lois DeCaro, Mary Kochan, Jean Pankow, Dr. Phil Scaduto,
Eileen Stock) and it’s more than 5,000 parishioners have rolled
up their sleeves for the young people in their community. We
are deeply affected by the overwhelming generosity, support,
living faith and unshakable optimism the members of Notre Dame
of Mt. Carmel church possess! They ‘Walk the Walk’!" – Gene
Bowen, Founder, Road Recovery
For more information on Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel, please visit:
www.ndcarmel.com
Crazy James delivering a message of hope to the Notre Dame
Mt. Carmel congregation.
Notre Dame Mt. Carmel Church,
Cedar Knolls, NJ
WEDNESDAY,
JANUARY 31, 2007 :: Road Recovery/Crazy James ‘Triple Set’ Saturday
Features: WCBS-TV 2 Saturday Morning; Poet Robert Astor, Comedian
Mike D. & Jimmy
Gnecco of OURS.
Road Recovery’s Gene Bowen (far left) & Crazy James vocalist,
Lucky O’Donnell (far right) join WCBS-TV Co-Anchors, Cindy
Hsu (left) & Kirsten Cole (right) at the news desk in the early
AM.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
WCBS-TV,
CBS 2 Saturday Morning: 6:45am: Lucky O’Donnell, vocalist for Crazy James and Gene
Bowen, Road Recovery Founder, appeared ‘live’ on WCBS-TV,
CBS 2 Saturday Morningwith Kirsten Cole and Cindy Hsu to discuss the organization’s success in
providing peer-to-peer support relationships. Such relationships provide teens
vast opportunities to realize their dreams and aspirations.
Caron 50th Anniversary Alumni Celebration: 12:00pm: Crazy James guitarists Tim Barr and Ryan
Aussem, accompanied by 2007 Grammy Nominated - Groove
Collective woodwinds master, Jay Rodriguez, performed
a musical set on the New York City’s Upper East Side at
Caron Treatment Center’s 50th Anniversary Alumni Celebration
before a packed house of alumni spanning years of sobriety time…
Jay Rodriguez (left) with Crazy James guitarists,
Tim Barr & Ryan
Aussem enjoy the after affects of an amazing trio performance
New York ’s Poet & Legend, Robert Astor performs backed by Crazy James ‘jazz
orchestra’
Comedian, Mike D. dishing out
a dose of sad reality…
Crazy James performs The Living Room
Jimmy Gnecco , OURS quietly levels The
Living Room
Jimmy Gnecco , OURS surrounded by Crazy
James & Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder (left
rear)
"Meeting, Music & Laughs": 2:00pm: Road Recovery’s "Meeting,
Music & Laughs"
matinee at The Living Room on Ludlow Street in NYC kicked off with
a one-hour Recovery Meeting hosted by Road Recovery and Crazy James.
The purpose of the one hour non-threatening Recovery Meeting is
to support those interested in staying sober or those interested
in learning more about sobriety and Road Recovery.
3:15pm: After a brief intermission…New
York City poet Robert Astor was accompanied by the Crazy James ‘Jazz
Orchestra’,
lead by the baton of Jay Rodriguez. The group traveled back in
time to the early 1990’s when New York embraced the Café Sin-e
experiences of Dorothy Scott, Katell Keineg, Daniel Harnett for
a mere moment, now gone…Road Recovery additionally mourns
the end-of-March 2007 closing of Sin-e on Attorney Street, yet
acknowledges the incredible influence Sin-e owner Shane Doyle has
had on the music community.
3:30pm: From the Bronx, comedian
Mike D. gave it…shared
it…stuck it to the seated audience as only he can…in
the darkest, most offensive way possible, by transposing evil angst
into gut wrenching laughter…forty minutes later ‘D.’ left
the room standing and screaming for more…do your life a
favor and see Mike D. live in NYC or at the HBO Comedy Special
in Aspen, Colorado which takes place from February 2 to March 4,
2007.
“By providing
a channel of self expression, Road Recovery helps fill the
void…
Plus, if these kids don't play music they will probably rob
you.” - Mike D., Comedian
4:15pm:Crazy
James performed in ever-expanding numbers by exceeding
a dozen. The music group delivered a mix of old favorites and new
tunes soon to debut on their upcoming 2007 EP being recorded at
The Lodge recording studios in NYC with producers
Drew Stein, The Prodigy’s Neil McClellan, David ‘DibbS’ Shackney,
Colin Thibadeau and mastering engineer Emily Lazar.
5:00pm: In closing, Jimmy
Gnecco of OURS acoustically strummed
a dark backdrop of old and soon-to-be- released NEW material as
he transcended the heavens vocally and invoked Roy Orbison by performing “Cryin”,
leaving everyone spellbound in complete disbelief…
“Road Recovery is an organization
that believes in you even when you've lost belief in
yourself. Road Recovery is an amazing group of people and great
friends to all.” - Jimmy Gnecco, OURS
MONDAY,
JANUARY 8, 2007 :: Grammy Nomination and a World Tour – Road
Recovery Celebrates Its Own in 2007!
Groove Collective’s Jay Rodriguez (center left) & Chris "Ifatoye" Theberge
(center right) flanked by their band mates
Road Recovery is proud to announce that the music group Groove
Collective has been honored with a Grammy
nomination and Road Recovery alumni Rob Dubuss is
named the Production Manager for the world
tour for Shiny Toy Guns!
Groove Collective's ‘PEOPLE,
PEOPLE, MUSIC, MUSIC’ (Savoy
Jazz Worldwide) has been nominated for BEST CONTEMPORARY
JAZZ ALBUM (category 45). The 49th annual Grammy
Award winners will be announced February 11,
2007.
For more than seven years, Groove Collective’s
principal members – Jay Rodriquez (saxophones,
flutes, bass clarinet) and Chris "Ifatoye" Theberge (congas,
bata drums, percussion) with the support of their band mates,
have quietly, yet critically been involved in Road Recovery’s
outreach programs in the New York Metropolitan area, directly
impacting the lives of thousands of at risk teens and young adults.
Groove
Collective’s Jay Rodriguez and Chris "Ifatoye" Theberge
are true heroes to many young people in our community and the
Road Recovery Foundation! Their dedication and commitment to
use their incredible artistic talents and life experiences in
order to make a positive difference for youth of our community
needs to be told!
The Grammy nomination,
the first in Groove Collective’s 13-year history, came at
a critical time for the group. In fact, Groove Collective and their
label had basically decided to "put the album to bed" due
to the lack of attention it initially received. On the day before
the Grammy nomination announcement, a soul-searching meeting had
been planned to reassess the direction the group was taking. Instead,
that planned meeting turned into a celebration.
Groove Collective
exploded out of New York City ’s jazz-funk-hiphop
scene in the early 90s, along with bands like Tribe Called Quest. Groove
Collective immediately earned high praise for their unique blend of sounds:
Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban, funk, dance, and 70’s soul. Initially signed
by Road Recovery supporter Mo Austin, the former President of Warner
Brothers Records, Groove Collective is truly a musical voice of New York
, encompassing all the multiculturalism that the city represents.
Over the years Groove Collective has built up a loyal following,
particularly overseas, and they have earned the respect and admiration
of artists such as Roy Nathanson, Elvis Costello, Dave Matthews,
Widespread Panic, Chucho Valdez, and many others.
Road Recovery’s Rob Dubuss lands
a gig with Shiny Toy Guns (Universal Music Group) for
a World Tour. A miracle of miracles…DJ, bass player, and
now Production Manger for one the hottest touring indie bands out
there, Rob Dubuss celebrates his twentieth birthday on the road,
determined to never turn back at a life that nearly took him down.
After
years of battling his own personal demons, Rob gave up the futile
fight and got sober in June of 2004. He never looked back….Fresh
out of treatment, Rob hooked up with Road Recovery and quickly
became an unstoppable force in Road Recovery’s
Performance Workshops program at Caron Treatment Centers NY Recovery
Center.
Utilizing his talents as a DJ, and later expanding to
playing bass guitar, Rob solidified the rhythm section for Crazy
James, a band born out of Road Recovery’s Performance Workshops
program at Caron. Seeing the band needed help in overseeing all
the production details surrounding their ever growing string
of live performance dates, Dubuss was a one man road crew. His
efforts caught the recommendation of Road Recovery’s staff
who began calling up production companies in the New York metropolitan
area suggesting that they hire the talented Rob Dubuss for their
next live show.
While in town recording their latest record – " We
Are Pilots" at the beginning of 2006, the drummer
for Shiny Toy Guns, Mikey Martin, stumbled
upon Road Recovery and instantly found a connection and friendship
with Dubuss.
When it came time to tour the world to support
of the band’s
music release….Mikey called upon Rob to join the crew
and hit the road…Road Recovery is unbelievably proud of
Rob Dubuss and the immeasurable feats he has achieved with his
life, plus the impact he has had on the Road Recovery family!
Rob Dubuss on
tour
Shiny Toy Guns (L-R) Carh, Mikey, Road Recovery's Jim
Bell, Chad, & Jeremy visit Tulsa, Oklahoma
MONDAY,
DECEMBER 18, 2006:: Joan Jett & The
Blackhearts Together With Gibson Guitars Throw A Party For Road
Recovery Teens!
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts rock
New York’s
Irving Plaza
Joan Jett signs donated Gibson
Epiphone
’57 Reissue
Les Paul Junior
Road
Recovery teens hang on tight to
Joan Jett’s autographed
Gibson Epiphone ’57 Reissue Les Paul Junior
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, together with Gibson
Foundation/Gibson Guitars, The Agency Group and Blackheart
Records, rolled out
the red carpet for Road Recovery teens during the band’s
triumphant NYC gig at Irving Plaza to support their latest release
Sinner (Blackheart Records).
It all started last
summer when Joan Jett was on the road headlining the Vans
Warped Tour ’06 and Road Recovery Founder Gene
Bowen bumped into Jett backstage one night, which planted the
seeds to
making a wonderful event happen.
Fast forward to November 2006 when Steve
Martin, President, The Agency Group President (also
the booking agent for Joan Jett and a member of Road Recovery’s
Supporter Board) discovered a photo of Jett with Bowen from the
summer tour printed in the November 2006 issue of SPIN
magazine.
Steve Martin quickly went to work for more than a month pulling
together all the pieces for Road Recovery teens to be on hand
for and amazing night which included a…
Joan Jett sound-check
Hang with Joan and her band mates
Meeting with Joan’s
manager and legendary producer Kenny
Laguna (Darlene Love, Andy Warhol,
Bow Wow Wow, Joan Jett)
Tickets to mosh up front for a two hour
set of Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
Complementary copies of
Jett’s latest release – Sinner (Blackheart
Records)
The Gibson Foundation,
an ongoing supporter of Road Recovery’s mission ‘flew-in’ a Epiphone ’57
Reissue Les Paul Junior guitar from Los Angeles. Jett autographed ‘Rock
This Sucker’ on the guitar which will be auctioned and/or raffled
in a future effort to keep the non-profit organization moving forward.
Joan Jett (center) with manager/producer, Kenny Laguna (left) hang
with Road Recovery teens
Joan Jett greets Road Recovery teens after her sound-check at Irving Plaza gig in NYC
That’s not all folks…The Agency Group – President,
Steve Martin will be participating in…
MMF Training, in association
with MMF US, invited managers and/or their personnel to the first professional
management development program in New York: "Artist Management in
2007 and Beyond".
As technology evolves, traditional roles within the industry
are changing. We are all interacting with brands, broadcasters,
telcos and ISPs in ways that we never imagined. The need to understand
both the opportunities for and threats to our business models
has never been more important.
MMF Training is the business support division of the Music
Managers Forum - the trade association for artist managers in the music
industry, with chapters in 15 countries throughout the world.
We have delivered practical business support sessions for over
a decade in Europe. On Wednesday 10th & Thursday 11th January
2007, MMF will present their first event in New York. The event
is scheduled to run over two consecutive evenings from 6:30-9:30pm.
Steve Martin
"As a member
of Road Recovery's Supporter Board, one of my functions with the
foundation is to further expose the music industry to this amazing
organization. I am honored to participate in the MMF hosted event
allowing me to share my professional experience as an agent for
more than 25 years to an audience of young industry professionals.
The MMF event will also provide a great opportunity to turn more
music industry folks onto Road Recovery!"- Steve
Martin, President, The Agency Group
GUEST PANELISTS INCLUDE: Andy Kipnes - Advanced Alternative Media (AAM) Marty Diamond - Little Big Man/Paradigm (Pollstar
Small Booking Agency of the Year 1996-2000 & 2002-2005) Steve Martin - President - The Agency Group (Clients include: Dave Gilmour,
Billy Bragg, Bryan Ferry, Dream Theater) Ken Anderson - Partner Loeb & Loeb LLP (Clients include:
Dixie Chicks, Ben Folds, Beastie Boys) Alan Wolmark - CEC Management Michael Hausman - Artist Manager, Co-founder of SuperEgo Records and United
Musicians (Roster includes: Aimee Mann, Suzanne Vega, Marc Cohn and Angie Mattson) Andy Karp - Atlantic Records (Head of A & R) Paul Katz - Founder/CEO of Commit Media (Former Senior Executive Jive/ Zomba,
Former Head of Sony BMG's Visual Media Division) Stuart Ditsky - CPA, PC (Clients include: Matchbox 20, STAIND, Antigone Rising,
Pink Spider, Rob Thomas, Suzanne Vega, Aaron Lewis, Jem) Loren Chodosh - Loren Chodosh P.C. (Clients include: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Secret
Machines, TV on the Radio, Nada Surf, Buddy Guy)
VENUE:
BMI
320 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019-3790
FEES:
MMF Members: $50 (covers both nights)
AFTRA, AFM, AIMP, A2IM, MPA, NARIP, NMPA, RIAA members: $75 (covers
both nights)
Non-members: $100 (covers both nights)
TO BOOK A PLACE:
If you would like to reserve a place please complete the booking
form and email it to angela@mmf-training.com.
SEND PAYMENT TO:
Music Managers Forum-US
P.O. Box 444
Village Station
New York, NY 10014
FRIDAY,
DECEMBER 8, 2006 :: Road Recovery Supports the Soldiers of the
32nd Transportation Company, Camp Liberty, Iraq
PFC, Jeremy Bell prior to his deployment to Camp Liberty, Iraq
– September
2006
Jim Bell, Road Recovery supporter, Drummer, Vietnam Veteran & father,
PFC, Jeremy Bell
Tulsa, Oklahoma – Road Recovery supporter Jim
Bell (30+ year professional drummer, formally
with Billy Parker’s KV00 – Big Country Express along
with a host of country & western band credits.. too many
to name) and decorated Vietnam Veteran (PFC - Private
First Class, RTO – radio operator, 9 th Infantry division,
3 rd battalion, 39 th infantry January-December 1968) who
served in four TET offenses, received word in September 2006
that his 27 year old son , PFC – Jeremy Bell and
company were being deployed to Camp Liberty, Iraq.
Camp
Liberty/ Camp al-Tahreer, located Northeast of Baghdad International
Airport is one of the largest US overseas posts. Known to troops
as BIAP, Camp Liberty is home to approximately 14,000 troops
including PFC
- Jeremy Bell and the men & women of the 32nd Transportation
Company.*
In an effort to show support
for our amazing troops serving in Iraq, The Road Recovery Foundation,
with the help of Jim Bell, decided to send each of the thirty-one
soldiers of the 32 nd Transportation Company their own ‘Rock & Roll
holiday care package’ consisting
of commercially released entertainment CD’s & DVD movies.
Within
24 hours of the word of this effort hitting the street, major record
companies, independent labels, movie/film distributors and individual
supporters showed up at the Road Recovery office with bag loads
of entertainment CD’s and DVD’s consisting
of a wide range of musical genres and movies, along with boxes
of popcorn to wash it all down!
To
the members of the 32nd Transportation Company
Happy & Safe
Holidays – "You
All F***** ROCK!"
From all of us at Road
Recovery Especially…
Jim Bell ,
Drummer, Vietnam Veteran & Father
of PFC – Jeremy Bell
We Support You! Enjoy…
For anyone interested in supporting the soldiers of the 32nd
Transportation Company
On
order, the 32nd Transportation Company deploys and establishes
a unit area of operations in order to conduct transportation
support of Class V and IX, and general cargo to Divisional and
non-Divisional units.
Rock legend, Joan Jett, (left) surrounded by Road Recovery supporters and members of
Joan ’s band - The Blackhearts in NYC, show their support
for the men & women of the 32 nd Transportation Company
MONDAY,
DECEMBER 4, 2006 :: Road Recovery Finale at the Partnership for
a Drug-Free America 20th Anniversary Gala!
Jeri Milhauser, Director of Special Events – the Partnership
(center) "gets
down" with Crazy James during the band’s pre-gala sound check.
Monday, November 27th - Road Recovery’s Crazy James performed
the finale at 20th Anniversary Gala for The
Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA). In attendance were over 700 CEO’s,
media executives, government officials, MLB baseball owners,
and the host Diane Sawyer in the famed Waldorf-Astoria Main
Ballroom.
As the evening event was winding down with the serving of dessert
to the packed house, Mistress of Ceremonies, Diane
Sawyer, Co-Anchor, ABC News, eloquently explained Road Recovery’s mission
and the organization’s long-standing ‘on the street’ working
relationship with PDFA since 1998. Ms. Sawyer then introduced
two members of Crazy James who captivated the audience with laughter
and tears. The speakers shared their unbelievable journey back
to life from substance abuse and self-destruction via the support
of Caron Treatment Centers and Road Recovery…one speech
even included the subtle influence that PDFA ads (i.e. the egg & frying
pan - this is your brain on drugs) had on the speaker.
With the audience
completely awestruck by the strength, determination and hope exhibited
by these two young people after delivering their powerful speeches,
it was time, in true rock & roll fashion, for Crazy James to
take control of the stage at The Waldorf-Astoria Ballroom to perform
a powerful two song set.
Fully charged and ready, the band brought the audience to their
feet as they finished their opening song "Sweet Epiphany"
and kept on rolling with their newly recorded song “Untrue”.
After bows and 'thanks' to PDFA and with the energized
audience applauding, the band attempted to leave the stage but
were blocked by PDFA President – Stephen Pasierb who, with
the audiences urging, asked for 'one more'!
"The performance by Crazy
James at our 20th Anniversary gala was the perfect ending to an
incredible evening. As Diane Sawyer said, the members of the band
represent in many ways 'the reason' why the Partnership
exists. In addition to being talented musicians, the members of
Crazy James and everyone associated with Road Recovery provide
a great deal of hope to other young people who are struggling with
issues related to drugs. Thank you Gene, Jack and the entire Road
Recovery family." – Stephen Pasierb,
President, The Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Road Recovery and Caron Treatment Centers manufactured a commemorative
Crazy James 2-song CD in celebration of the Partnership’s
20th Anniversary Gala, which was inserted in the more than 700
gift bags.
"It's been a beautiful amazing adventure
to work with the Partnership these past years. Together we have
brought our message of awareness, hope and possibility to some
of the oddest venues and audiences imaginable. Always steadfast
to their goal of utilizing any means possible in order to communicate
with families, young and old about drug-alcohol prevention, abuse,
and resource alternatives available, Road Recovery is proud and
honored to be a partner in their efforts!"– Gene
Bowen, Founder, Road
Recovery
Crazy James on-stage during their performance which received a standing ovation.
Mistress of Ceremonies Diane Sawyer hangs out before the gala with Crazy James
band members as Road Recovery Founder Gene Bowen (Center) smiles on!
Diane
Sawyer (center) smushes together with Crazy James band mates and
Road Recovery staff Jack Bookbinder (third from top right) and Chris
Theberge (second from top left) backstage.
MONDAY,
NOVEMBER 27, 2006 :: New York Public Relations Firm - Padilla Speer
Beardsley (PSB) Leads the Media Charge for Road Recovery!
Tony Berlin (left) PBS-Media Relations Manager & Road Recovery’s
Gene Bowen, inside BBC Radio studios.
The PBS team- (from left) Mike Greece, Managing
Director, Deanna Decker, Account Executive & Tony Berlin, Media
Relations Manager relax for a moment!
In 1996, the concept and mission
for a non-profit organization called Road Recovery moved from ‘theory’ to ‘reality’ for
co-founders Jack Bookbinder and Gene Bowen. The commitment and
tremendous level of responsibility was established in the organization’s
mission; to “help young people find their way towards a
healthy future”. The mission quickly became a daunting
challenge for the Road Recovery mentoring staff as they began
working with the first wave of teens and young adults who participated
in Road Recovery’s early programs.
Upon the early establishment of Road Recovery, it was decided
that the non-profit would not seek any organized publicity campaign
surrounding the organization’s work for the first ten years
in order to allow the program to ‘walk the walk’.
Sony Music Entertainment and DreamWorks Records put up the initial
seed money for Road Recovery, and were informed that their donations
were to remain silent until the organization had proven itself.
Literally ten years from the month of Road Recovery’s
inception, Mike Greece, Managing Director
for Padilla Speer Beardsley (PSB), an employee-owned, multi-specialty public relations consulting
firm headquartered in Minneapolis with an office in New York,
heard about Road Recovery and came knocking. After several months
of showing up to learn more about the inner workings of Road
Recovery, it became apparent that Greece and his PSB staff "got
it".
The service and story
was ready to be told to a wider audience with the goal of gaining
exposure and support to broaden Road Recovery’s positive
impact both in the Tri-State New York area and beyond. For nearly
a year starting in January 2006, Mike Greece
and the PSB team including Tony Berlin, Media Relations Manager
and Deanna Decker, Account Executive, have generously given their time pro-bono. PSB has provided
the marketing muscle and commitment to create a grass roots groundswell
about Road Recovery in the same manner that the organization has
established for their first ten years.
The PSB slow-growth media campaign has not only yielded amazing
media coverage but has established respected ongoing relationships
with local and national journalists who have become involved personally
with Road Recovery. Coverage telling the RR story appeared in the
N.Y. Daily News and on WNBC-TV in
New York City recently as well as North Jersey’s leading
daily newspaper The
Record (Bergen
County) which printed a cover
story in their Living Section
on November 5, 2006. On November 14, 2006, Road
Recoverycrossed the
Atlantic Ocean for a feature on Colin Murray’s BBC
Radio 1 documentary to discuss positive alternatives in
the music industry that exist today, contrary to the old cliché of
drugs, sex and rock & roll…archived at: www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/documentaries
"We are deeply indebted to Mike, Deanna, Tony and everyone
at PSB for everything they have done this past year. Their consistent,
daily action in presenting Road Recovery to a wider audience has
directly helped several young people and their families find assistance
and positive alternatives to alcohol/substance abuse or death.
All it takes is to affect one life for positive change, and PSB
has far exceeded that goal."– Gene
Bowen and Jack Bookbinder, Road Recovery
Padilla Speer Beardsley’s New York
office serves as a front-line public relations arm in the nation's
media center providing marketing communications, strategic communications
counsel, messaging and traditional as well as online media coverage
for its clients. Serving a variety of companies in a number of
sectors including manufacturing, market research, technology,
finance, and healthcare, PSB New York has the experienced, high
octane, savvy staff to deliver leveragable results for clients
that make a business impact. For more information on PSB, please
visit:www.psbny.com
FRIDAY,
NOVEMBER 17, 2006 :: PERRI PELTZ, ANCHOR, NEWSCHANNEL 4 – Hosts
Road Recovery Master Class at NBC Rockefeller Center Studios in
New York.
Road Recovery teens gain access to Studio 6A, home of
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Road Recovery's Jack Bookbinder divulges new technical
insight about the Doppler 4000 weather radar system while visiting
WNBC Channel 4 weather news studio
Perri Peltz, co-anchor of WNBC-Channel 4 News "Live
at Five" (Mon-Fri, 5-6 p.m. EST) and contributor
of a wide-range of reports for WNBC news programs, hosted a Road
Recovery Master Class Series* event for teen participants
involved in Road Recovery’s "Keeping
It Real", a program in partnership with Caron Treatment
Centers.
After moving the army of teens swiftly through NBC security,
passing comedian/actor Steve Martin in the process, the teen
clan was ushered into the central control room to witness the
6:00pm WNBC-TV Channel 4 News. The teens witnessed producers
and the technical crews working in a precise rhythm to cut, paste,
and mix all the visual and sound elements necessary in delivering
the news program seamlessly through their brand new digital HD
(High Definition) studio.
Working backward,
Peltz guided the teens on a tour through the maze of offices and
small editing suites where the writing, crafting, and editing of
the news in preparation for delivery to the viewing audience. From
the hectic control room of live news, to the central desk where
reporters and staff monitor incoming phone calls, emails, sky-cameras
and emergency service scanners for breaking news all over the New
York City tri-state area.
Everyone was invited to enjoy a dinner in the famous NBC Commissary
followed by a relaxed roundtable discussion with Perri Peltz. Peltz
described the twists and turns that awaited her after graduating
from Brown University. While planning to attend Medical School,
her plans were permanently interrupted by a fluke opportunity that
led to her to pursue television journalism, a career spanning more
than twenty years after earning a masters degree in Public Health
from Columbia University.
Never venturing from her passion for the medical field and her
inner drive to help those in need, Perri Peltz has built a career
in television on the foundation of using the media as the prescription
toward positive change both individually and as a community.
Her commitment for the good work of 'underdog' community
organizations matches well with her hard earned position at WNBC
where she has earned the freedom to explore and unearth stories that
need to be told. Peltz described some highlights from her career
in investigative journalism including:
Posing as a crack addict living
among those in the thralls of the drug epidemic.
Exposing corrupt
city building contractors and the deplorable living conditions
of tenants.
Featuring the story of David Macanulty, the public school
teacher from the South Bronx who taught his
students chess and together won the national championships.
Road Recovery's Alissa & Charles are
all about breaking the rules...
Road Recovery teens James & Charles settle in for
a relaxed chat in the WNBC Channel 4 NEWS studio
The message delivered from Peltz was clear; find yourself through
what you like to do, and without knowing, you will find ways
to help others in the process and as an outcome. Nothing could
be any clearer than the tremendous effort and help from Peltz
who has rolled up her sleeves to get involved with Road Recovery
through her efforts in championing the organization’s work.
Finally, after inundating Perri with no less than several hundred
questions, everyone was given access to Studio 6A, the home of
Late Night with Conan O’Brien and full access to the WNBC
Channel-4 News Studio.
*Road Recovery’s Master Class Series introduces career "success
stories": individuals from a variety of fields who have
achieved success and happiness in their careers present to the
teen participants in Road Recovery’s programs.
Prior to visiting the many NBC studios, Road Recovery teens
freshen up!
Road Recovery teens take over the controls in the News Channel
4 studio
Perri Peltz shares her life experiences as a TV journalist
with Road Recovery teens in the NBC Commissary over dinner.
Perri Peltz guiding Road Recovery teens
through a tour of the inner workings of News Channel 4 offices & studios
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2006 :: MC5 Founder & Alice In Chains – kick it
with Road Recovery
Road Recovery Executive Board Member, Walter Yetnikoff, Manager, Margaret Kramer, Wayne
Kramer, Road Recovery’s Gene Bowen & Jack Bookbinder get close!
Wayne Kramer jams with Road Recovery teen ‘indi’ rock
band Crazy James
The prototype band for Punk Rock
music - MC5 – had its
founder/musician, speaker and activist Wayne Kramer, accompanied
by his manager Margaret Kramer, fly from Los Angeles (home of
their indie label MuscleTone) to NYC to hang out, share humble
life lessons and 'Kick Out The Jam' with teens involved
in Road Recovery. Road Recovery Executive Board Member & legendary
record company executive Walter Yetnikoff showed up to meet one
of his punk-rock idols "Last night I spent three hours
with a group of a dozen kids in Road Recovery. We talked and
we jammed and it was a great experience for me.
Road Recovery
is comprised of people with a hope of teaching kids that they
can draw a map through this world that doesn’t
include a stop at the liquor store or the dope house. I saw myself
in that room and I realized that to be 16 or 19 or 22... and
clean... and totally uninhibited was living proof of principles
in action. What appears to be contrary to the laws of nature
are HAPPENING in Road Recovery. If I hadn’t seen it with
my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it.
It’s a true
hands-on program for young people and it needs to be duplicated
around the world. Do whatever you can to support them." – Wayne Kramer
Wayne Kramer meets his biggest young fan, punker, Eric G.
Charles M. provides
Wayne Kramer the beats to the groove
Long time supporter
and friend – Alice In Chains manager
Susan Silver, together
with band members Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez,
Sean Kinney and
tour manger Chuck Randall, welcomed Road Recovery teens into
an ALL ACCESS experience during the first of two Alice In Chains
sold out shows at the mosh- packed Nokia Theatre in Times Square,
New York City.
Gibson Guitars/The Gibson Foundation, long time
supporters of Road Recovery, continued their generous commitment
to the non-profit organization by donating a White Epiphone
Les Paul-Special & hard
case which was signed backstage by the band members of
Alice In Chains for a future eBay charity auction anticipated for
the upcoming holiday season. Proceeds from the autographed Gibson
guitar will go to furthering Road Recovery’s outreach programs
to young people in the NYC community and beyond…
Alice In Chains Tour Manager, Chuck Randall gives Road Recovery Entourage a backstage
tour.
Long time Road Recovery supporter and friend,
Alice In Chains Manager – Susan
Silver & Road Recovery’s Gene Bowen smile about how great life is!
Tour
Manager, Chuck Randall (left) and Manager, Susan Silver (center)
meet & greet Road Recovery Crazy James band mates after Alice
In Chains full throttle set.
Alice In Chains bassist, Mike Inez autographs Gibson Guitars/Gibson
Foundations donated Les Paul Epiphone Special for Road Recovery e-bay
charity auction during the upcoming holiday season.
Alice In Chains band members Jerry Cantrell & Mike Inez (far
right) with Road Recovery teens show off the band’s autographed
Gibson Les Paul Epiphone Special, donated by Gibson Guitars/Gibson
Foundation to help raise funds for Road Recovery mentorship programs.
Alice In
Chains guitarist & singer, Jerry Cantrell speaks with Road
Recovery teens about the music.
TUESDAY,
OCTOBER 31, 2006 :: Crazy James band Jamin’ Roctober!
Roctober proved to be
jam-packed for Road Recovery’s Crazy James band performance
presentations at the Caron Classic 1st Annual Golf Tournament, Phoenix
House, IMPACT Program and Tenafly High School student assembly.
Monday, October 16th, Phoenix House – IMPACT
Program
Road Recovery
together with Crazy James and the Caron New York recovery clinical
staff presented a one hour interactive education-performance event
for Phoenix House IMPACT Program parents and teens on West 74th
Street in Manhattan. Crazy James band members shared their personal
life experiences through discussion and music to a packed house
of outpatient teens and parents.
"What a wonderful event for us here at Phoenix House to
experience such a talented and insightful group of young-adults
who are not only embracing their love of music and the arts through
Road Recovery, but also embracing their love of themselves thru
sobriety." - Tessa A. Vining, Director, Phoenix House, IMPACT
Program
Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey hosted
Caron’s
fundraiser toward inpatient treatment scholarships. The brisk Fall day
did not affect the shotgun start of the 18 -hole groups of foursomes.
An early evening reception and dinner followed with guest speakers
Christopher Kennedy Lawford (son of Pat Kennedy & Peter Lawford)
and a member of Crazy James who spoke about how Caron Treatment Center’s
scholarship funding truly saved her life by providing access to extensive
inpatient treatment for her drug/alcohol addiction.
The results of Caron’s
scholarship support was heard loud and clear as Crazy James band members,
all of whom are Caron alumni, closed the fundraising event under the
twinkling stars with their heartfelt set of original music.
Thursday, October
26th – Tenafly High
School , Tenafly , NJ
After twenty-four years, Road Recovery Founder Gene Bowen returned
to his alma-mater at Tenafly High
School to provide a message of hope for more than five-hundred
students and staff. The event was presented via Gene ’s
organization Road Recovery and the youth rock group Crazy James
which consists of teens involved in Road Recovery’s program
with Caron Treatment Centers in NYC.
With the support and
sponsorship of Tenafly High School administration, faculty, student
assistance staff and senior class mentors, Road Recovery, Caron
clinicians and Crazy James took over periods 3 and 4 in the early
AM hours. Members of Crazy James shared their message of hope from
their personal life experiences as teens, supplemented by a jolting
live performance to their fellow teen peers in the audience.
Following the packed assembly of Tenafly High School’s
freshmen and senior classes, students went into breakout sessions
which were held throughout the school in smaller class settings
to allow Crazy James members the opportunity to share in a more
intimate and interactive environment. The members shared their
journey from social using to inpatient drug/alcohol treatment.
Most importantly, each band member cited the endless list of achievements
and goals they have reached through living a sober life.
Unlike the way Gene Bowen left Tenafly High back in 1982 as
a confused, lost and substance abusing teenager, his self-started
organization Road Recovery along with Crazy James and Caron provided
Tenafly High School students the concrete evidence that no mater
what the circumstances are, there is hope and a means to a find
a better way…
MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2006 :: SPIN magazine Publisher Speaks Out!
SPIN magazine publisher Malcolm Campbell speaks out in the November 2006
issue about Road Recovery:
"Since SPIN changed ownership in the Spring of 2006, everyone
involved has focused on making it a cutting-edge media company.
The irony is that in our effort to embrace a brave new world, we
came to realize that we are creating a company reflecting the best
attributes of old-school rock’n’roll. Terms like community,
credibility, and making a difference continue to creep into our
daily strategic discussions. To me, this hearkens back to the origins
of rock’n’roll
and the aspiration to be a catalyst for positive social change.
As
a part of this desire to make SPIN more than just a magazine and
website, we have embarked on an exciting charity initiative – the
Subscription Donation Program. For every new subscription we receive
at Spin.com, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to one of
five charities which include Road Recovery.
SPIN is proud to work with these exceptional charity partners,
and we hope that you will join us in supporting them."
Malcolm Campbell,
Publisher
Click
To Subscribe and Support Road Recovery
FRIDAY,
OCTOBER 6, 2006 :: WNBC-TV Channel 4 News - Breaking Story on Road
Recovery!
WNBC-TV Channel 4 News Reporter Perri Peltz breaks the story
on Road Recovery to New Yorkers
Adjust your antennas…On the heels of WNBC-TV
Channel 4 News ‘Not
My Kid’ Special Report on teens and alcohol which featured
Road Recovery’s "Keeping It Real" program at Caron
New York Recovery Center, reporter Perri Peltz is coming back for
more coverage on the program and more...
During her research, Ms. Peltz was shocked to learn that Road Recovery
had eluded television media attention for so many years. In response,
Ms. Peltz is spearheading the first television feature on the non-profit’s
mission, history, programs, and positive impact on young people in
the New York metropolitan area for over eight years.
In an effort to expose
Road Recovery’s reach to more young people (and parents watching
WNBC-TV news) and further generate needed avenues of support to
keep the non-profit organization moving forward, WNBC-TV
Channel 4 News will run Perri Peltz’s
feature story about Road Recovery’s program at Caron New York on Monday,
October 9th at 5:00pm.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2006 :: Giving It Back, Again & Again with Crazy James!
Pat Pollok, Executive Director, Caron New York Recovery Center & Foreigner’s
Mick Jones present Road Recovery Superstar awards for excellence
in fundraising
Road Recovery Superstar award recipients
Doug & JoAnn McTavish
with Foreigner's Mick Jones
Ryan on guitar
On Wednesday, September 20, 2006, Caron New York packed the house for
its first Caron C.58 rooftop event. The inspiring evening featured a
live performance by Crazy James and testimonials from parents and teens
of the ‘Keeping It Real’ program, a partnership between Caron
Treatment Centers and Road Recovery. In addition, Foreigner’s
Mick Jones presented Road Recovery Superstar awards for excellence in fundraising
to two Road Recovery parents: Doug and JoAnn McTavish. The next Caron
C.58 will be held in Spring 2007.
"I'm delighted that several of
our board members and supporters were able to be here tonight. They had
a chance to see firsthand the impact Road Recovery’s program has
on the kids who participate in it, their families and those who hear
their music and message. In addition to hearing Crazy James perform their
heartfelt, original songs about recovery, you could appreciate how professional
they have become in the short time they have been working together, and
with the music professionals who mentor them. The whole evening made
for a very inspiring experience, and Caron is extremely proud to be associated
with this outstanding program." - Pat Pollok, Executive Director of the Caron New York Recovery
Center
Tim
on conga
For a new form of "Sunday
service", Road Recovery with Crazy James presented three
unplugged performances coupled with personal testimonials from
the band members at the campus of Silver Hill
Hospital in New Canaan,
Connecticut on Sunday, September 17th.
The sunny day event kicked off with a noon cookout, after which
all of the guests, patients and staff gathered in the Martin
Center of the Silver Hill Campus to hear the members of Crazy
James speak about their journey back to life. The brief shares
were followed by an unplugged performance by Crazy James to nearly
seventy guests in attendance.
Crazy James band members tell their story to Silver Hill Hospital patients
Without missing a beat, the band
regrouped in Silver Hill Hospital's Main House living room. Each
band member spoke and then performed as a group for the second time,
but this time they spoke/played to Silver Hill Hospital's adolescent
patients. The setting was up-close and personal, which contributed
to the intimate feeling of the performance.
"The talented
band members provide a valuable and deeply appreciated message
to people in recovery and to those who try to guide them along
the way. Many thanks for the memorable performances. We hope Crazy
James will be a regular contributor to our patient's recovery." – Elizabeth
Moore, Chief Operating Officer – Silver Hill Hospital
The adolescent in-patients speak out:
"I enjoyed how every single person was loving life and being sober. It was
easy to relate to their stories and songs. That made me feel happy and made me
feel like I wasn't alone and I could get better and be sober and still be able
to have fun." – Anonymous Adolescent
"When I heard the first song I started bawling, in a good
way, and every song that I heard I could relate to. And now I am
motivated to stay clean and sober." – Anonymous Adolescent
"The members of Crazy James are an inspiration to us all;
they are introspective and insightful people as well as incredibly
talented musical artists. Their compassionate words and beautiful
lyrics touched us all here at Silver Hill and I look forward to
listening to their music in the future. It made me want to stay
clean seeing how happy they were and how much fun they were having." – Anonymous Adolescent
As the sun set behind the wooded forest, Crazy James
finished the day by performing to a small group of in-patients at the Acute
Care unit on campus.
"I’ve spent time being locked up
in a lock down unit. I know the feeling of losing control of my
life. I only wish our music brought some relief and hope from those
folks’ pain." – Charles McTavish,
Crazy James
WEDNESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 20, 2006:: MEDIA ALERT – WNBC-TV Channel 4 NEWS
SPECIAL REPORT & SPIN magazine expose & support Road Recovery
WNBC-TV Cameraman shoots a Crazy James rehearsal featuring
Charles McTavish on fiddle and new member Tim Barr on guitar
Crazy James member Lucky O'Donnell interviewed by WNBC-TV news
producer Victoria Garcia-Levy for a TV news segment dealing
with teens and alcohol
Turn on & tune
in your TV sets this Thursday, September 21,
2006 @ 6:00pm for
WNBC-TV Channel 4 News – reporter Perri
Peltz’s week-long special report on teen involvement in gangs, drugs and alcohol
use. Thursday’s segment focuses on teen alcoholism and Road Recovery’s
partnership program with Caron New York.
WNBC-TV Channel 4 News were given special access to Road Recovery’s
bi-weekly program at Caron (East 58th building) to witness a ‘mock’ recovery
meeting where teen participants support each other through the
ups and downs of life as a sober young adult and the creative
workshops/rehearsals of their band Crazy James.
Teen participants shared their personal accounts of alcohol
use, abuse and now life beyond chemical dependency with the segment’s
producer Victoria Garcia-Levy and WNBC Channel 4 reporter Perri
Peltz. Ilya Mandel, Coordinator of NY Support
Services for Caron,
provided clinical insight about Road Recovery’s program
at Caron New York and information for viewers to be mindful when
observing and approaching teens at risk of alcohol abuse.
Road Recovery’s
co-founder Jack Bookbinder explained the mission of Road Recovery’s
work in helping young people find their way toward a healthy future,
why Road Recovery’s unique program works by using music as
the ‘hook’, and the success of the partnership program
with Caron Treatment Centers.
Crazy James joins Caron's Ilya Mandel with the TV crew from
WNBC-TV
Newscaster Perri Peltz, Amanda B. (Crazy James)
and Road Recovery's Jack Bookbinder
pose in the WNBC-TV News lounge after taping interviews for
a news story on teens & alcohol
SPIN ANNOUNCES
THE LAUNCH OF UPICK CHARITY PROGRAM - Magazine to Donate $2 from
Every Online Subscription to Five Charity Partners Including Road
Recovery
September 20, 2006 (New York, NY)—Spin
magazine announced
today and in a full page advertisement in their October 2006
issue the launch of UPICK, an online subscription
donation program. Each year, Spin selects five charity partners
to receive a quarterly contribution from revenue generated
from subscriptions made via Spin.com. Each online subscriber
will have the opportunity to allocate $2 of their subscription
cost to the charity partner of their choice.
The 2006/2007 charities were chosen based on
their affiliation with the music industry and relevance to Spin’s
audience. This year’s charities are: Road Recovery, Silverlake
Conservatory of Music, Surfrider Foundation, VH1 Save the Music
Foundation, and YouthAIDS.
Road Recovery's Jack Bookbinder & Gene
Bowen celebrate the launch of SPIN
UPICK charity program with the magazine's Executive Editor Doug
Brod and
Publisher Malcolm Campbell at SPIN headquarters in New York City
"I have always
believed that by giving you get so much more in return,” says
Spin President Tom Hartle. “This program will provide our
readers with the opportunity to make a positive contribution to
causes that they really care about."
About SPIN:
From next big things to innovative icons, Spin, launched in 1985, covers music
for life. With a guaranteed circulation of 450,000, Spin, a monthly, currently
reaches an audience of nearly 2 million. Spin magazine is published by Spin
Media LLC.
MONDAY,
SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 :: Shaking The Disease with Katell Keineg
The members of Crazy James gather o' round Master Class guest
Katell Keineg
Eric G. of Crazy James gushing with songstress Katell Keineg
While in the midst of a East/West Coast United States tour including
a recent performance at New York’s Bowery Ballroom and a New
York Times Magazine (July 2, 2006) feature profile, songstress Katell
Keineg*, graciously participated in Road Recovery’s
Master Class Series with Crazy James, whose members number more than
a dozen ranging in age from 16-24 years old.
Katell freely shared with the young group
of artists her personal journey that led her into a life of music
sparked by a mono-record player and a stack of Beatles records.
Though she never formally studied music or voice, Katell credits “Busking” - ‘street
performing’ in Dublin as her teacher in determining her ability
to attract an audience and maintain their attention against the
backdrop of a bustling metropolis!
Sharing her intimate
approach to songwriting, citing her relationship between the
lyrics, melody and the evolution of her songs, Katell revealed
one of her secrets – how eavesdropping on conversations,
especially on the subway, is a means to finding lyrical gems! Katell
admits that she is not a prolific songwriter, churning out a small
amount of songs each year, but stressed the realization within
herself the need to express life as she experiences it through
songs makes her feel whole, even with the instability that comes
with a life of music.
Together Katell and
Crazy James shared their music together and discussed the process
that led to the final outcome… Katell left everyone in awe,
mouths wide open as she performed “There You Go”, “One
Hell Of A Life”, “Hitler Was A Mamas Boy”, “Franklin” and
others…Fired up by her artistry and presence, Crazy James
ripped into versions of “Disease”, “I’ll
Drink To That”, “Erica’s Song”, and “I
Can’t Tell Time” which evoked the radical in Katell
who replied with yells, hoots and body shaking grooving.
"I support anything that liberates people from oppression,
that’s what Road Recovery continues to provide all of us
- young and old."– Katell Keineg, Artist
Be on the lookout for possible Katell Keineg + Crazy James billing
at a lower eastside New York venue in the near future!
*Since the early 1990’s, Katell Keineg has been musically
active in both Ireland and the United States as a solo artists
and with such musical friends as Iggy Pop and Natilie Merchant.
Katell has been steadily emerging into one of the most inspiring
and deeply moving performers around. Born in Brittany and brought
up in Wales, Katell
Monday, September 21, 2009: MOBY @ The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
Road Recovery’ Graham School Performance Workshops Program Yields EP Release!
Vic Firth, Gibson & Baldwin Pianos – Continue to Support Road Recovery
As guests of guitarist/social activist Tom Morello (formerly of Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman) of his new band Street Sweeper Social Club (SSSC), select Road Recovery youth participants gained ‘all access’ backstage for the Jane’s Addiction / Nine Inch Nails / SSSC summer tour date stopping in Jones Beach, New York. Morello spent ‘quality time’ for Road Recovery backstage, then granted his guests a side-stage view for NIN followed by an historic performance by the reformed original line-up of Jane’s Addiction (aka Juanos Addiction).
Yet again, Tom Morello provided complimentary concert tickets and after-show access to a young group of Road Recovery participants and staff to experience up-close SSSC performing their CD release party supporting their self-titled Warner Bros Records release. At the after-show party, several members of the ‘Social Club’ including Morello, drummer Eric Gardner, guitarist Carl Restivo and vocalist Boots Riley spent time with Road Recovery, posed for photos, and reminisced about the historic 
“We designed our Road Recovery Performance Workshops Program around the themes of “Vulnerability, Struggle, and Triumph” with the hope that the adolescent voices from young adults involved in Road Recovery’s NYC program would communicate the negative effects of alcohol and drugs. What we didn’t expect was that this “unplugged” message, when “amplified”, became a call for young people to empower themselves to take responsibility for carving out their place in the world. A place discovered through forward, positive thinking. A place characterized by growth and achievement. A place where youth is understood as a gift and giving is the only way to truly receive.” - Richard Linkens, Director of English, Social Studies, Academic Intervention Services, Warwick Valley Central School District, Warwick, NY
Nokia Theater crowd. At the end of the benefit concert, Road Recovery Executive Board Member and Benefit Sponsor Tiffanie DeBartolo (Bright Antenna Records), together with Margaret Kramer presented Wayne Kramer with the keys to Sing Sing Correctional Facility and the honor of the night. The show was going to Sing Sing. The following day, a group of the artists who had performed the night before boarded a bus and traveled to Ossining, NY to play a historic show at Sing Sing Prison in order to carry out Mr. Kramer’s vision.
New York, NY - April 30, 2009 - Road Recovery, a nationally recognized nonprofit music-based mentoring organization, is proud to announce the establishment of Road Recovery Honors, a new award given annually to an individual who shares its vision of giving back through action and service to those in need. This award affords its honoree the opportunity to select any U.S. organization and, together with Road Recovery, create and participate in an outreach event that positively impacts its constituents. 
Saturday, March 28, 2009 – DENIS LEARY,
