Steve Miller Band Celebrates Seymour Duncan Anniversary in Notes for Notes Benefit
World-Class Rock Show at Santa Barbara's Lobero Theatre Brings in More than $50,000 for Youth Music Nonprofit
Aside from a truly remarkable performance, the one-of-a-kind evening was even more amazing because it benefited Notes for Notes, the Santa Barbara-based nonprofit that builds professional grade recording and rehearsal studios where young people can learn how to succeed in the music business. All told, with ticket sales, sponsorships, and auctions combined, the event raised more than $50,000 to ensure that Notes for Notes can continue its mission, which is about to expand to Nashville, Tennessee later this year.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome,” said Notes for Notes executive director and founder Phil Gilley. “We dreamed big, and this evening exceeded all of our wildest expectations. Big thanks to Steve, Seymour, and the crew at New Noise Music Foundation for putting it all together.”
During the show, which included performances by Notes for Notes groups as well as Seymour Duncan’s company band Flat Foot Joe, Steve Miller praised music education programs like Notes for Notes and Kids Rock Free, a school where kids get lessons so long as their parents volunteer. “Notes for Notes is a life raft in a great Pacific Ocean of ignorance,” said Miller, decrying the slashing of music funding in public schools. To help the cause even further, he auctioned off a guitar with his signature and doodles for $6,500 to winning bidder Claudia Lash, whose granddaughter Emily Lash is a Notes for Notes student and had performed on stage earlier in the night. Exclaimed grandmother Lash, “Notes for Notes is a great program!”
The Seymour Duncan crew were also thrilled. “Thanks to the wonderfully supportive community of music lovers in Santa Barbara, a very generous Steve Miller, and a great working team, we raised over $50,000 to benefit the kids at Notes for Notes,” said Cathy Duncan, CEO of Seymour Duncan Company. “Lets do it again!”
Echoing what many in the crowd were saying, Notes for Notes president Roderick Hare explained, “What a treat it was for Notes for Notes to help Seymour Duncan celebrate his 35th Anniversary. As a kid growing up in Santa Barbara, I remember when he first got started back in the ’70s. Little did I know that 35 years later he would have built a global company making the best guitar pickups in the world. And with Steve Miller to cap it off, what a special night.”
“We love what Notes for Notes is doing for our community,” said Evan Skopp, vice president of artist relations at Seymour Duncan. “Who knows? Maybe the next Steve Miller is there right now learning how to make and record music.”
Gilley said this will just be the first of annual benefit concerts for Notes for Notes in collaboration with the Seymour Duncan Company. Also involved in throwing this big anniversary bash is the New Noise Music Foundation, Musicians Institute, The Santa Barbara Independent, and Montecito Bank & Trust. For more information about Notes for Notes, see www.notesfornotes.org, email info@notesfornotes.org, or call 805-613-7308.
