VH1 and NBC News' Today Team Up Again for VH1 Save the Music Today! Week

Source: AOL News, PRNewswire, and VH1.com

June 8, 2000

President Clinton and superstar Billy Joel will talk about the importance of music education when they appear on NBC News' "Today" to cap off "VH1 Save The Music Today!" week, June 12-16. Special guests during the week also include top music artists A.J. McLean of Backstreet Boys/Johnny No Name, Goo Goo Dolls, Hootie & The Blowfish's Darius Rucker, and Bon Jovi.

VH1 and NBC News' "Today" are teaming up for the second consecutive year to present "VH1 Save The Music Today!," a week long, on-air instrument drive benefiting VH1 Save The Music, from Monday, June 12, through Friday, June 16. VH1 Save The Music is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education in America's public schools by restoring music programs in cities across the U.S.

Throughout "VH1 Save The Music Today!" week, people are asked to bring musical instruments to the sidewalks outside the "Today" show studio at Rockefeller Center for collection daily from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Each day, a different celebrity guest will assist in collecting the instruments.

The highlight of the week will be the appearance on Friday, June 16, of President Bill Clinton, who along with superstar Billy Joel will discuss the importance of arts education in the nation's public schools.

The "VH1 Save The Music Today!" week coincides with VH1 Save The Music instrument drives in communities and cities across the U.S. In addition, Borders Books and Music will serve as collection points for new and used musical instruments in more than 300 locations nationwide during the week.

Viewers can bid online in a special auction at VH1.com for instruments and items autographed by some of the musical guests appearing during "VH1 Save The Music Today!" week, including Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora's acoustic guitar, a limited-edition Taylor "Richie Sambora Signature Model."

By the end of this year, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation will have generated more than $10 million worth of donated instruments and restored more than 500 school music programs in 40 American cities, enriching the lives of more than 200,000 children.