NAMM Artists Join Music Industry’s D.C. Fly-In to Advocate for Music Education

On March 19 and 20, artists Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bernie Williams, former NY Yankee and Latin Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist join leaders of the music instrument and products industry in Washington, D.C. …On March 19 and 20, artists Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bernie Williams, former NY Yankee and Latin Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist join leaders of the music instrument and products industry in Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress on the importance of comprehensive music education in our nation’s schools. The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) organizes the annual Advocacy Fly-In on behalf of school music education programs in public schools, to promote the benefits that playing music can have for children and teens, and to assure that federal education policy and funding advance access to music learning for all children.

Smith, long known for his music-education advocacy efforts adds his voice to NAMM’s Advocacy Fly-In and efforts to support music in America’s schools. “I am a perfect example of someone who’s been musically educated exclusively throughout grade school, middle school and high school by the public school system,” the GRAMMY-winning drummer said. “If there hadn’t been a music program in my public schools, I would not be where I am today. Every kid – and I mean everyone – needs a chance to learn and grow with music.”

The issue of music education in schools is also close to the heart of longtime music-education advocate and gifted jazz guitarist Williams, who attended previous NAMM Advocacy Fly-in and has taken up the cause as a national advocate for music education. “A lot of what music taught me led to my success in other areas – including professional baseball,” he said. “Music has a profound effect on kids, and education must include music and the arts.”