*Philip Bailey, Grammy Award-winning lead singer of Earth, Wind & Fire and founder of the Music Is Unity Foundation, gives us an exclusive look into the highly anticipated return of his ‘Backstage Soundcheck’ program.
As Earth, Wind & Fire embark on their summer tour with Chicago, Bailey is using this opportunity to give back to foster youth through a unique behind-the-scenes experience. This program, “Backstage Soundcheck,” which coincides with select tour dates, offers young people transitioning out of foster care an inside look at the many roles and careers within the music industry, culminating in the unforgettable experience of attending a live concert.
The next “Backstage Soundcheck” event is set for September 1 at Concord Pavilion in Concord, CA. Bailey shares his passion for supporting foster youth and the continued legacy of Earth, Wind & Fire.
Per the news release: Foster youth from Ohio, Georgia, and California will have the unique opportunity to participate in “Backstage Soundcheck” during select tour dates. The inspiring one-day program includes exclusive access to concert preparations, a pre-concert soundcheck, and a special Q&A session with Philip Bailey and other Earth, Wind & Fire tour staff. The day concludes with a chance for participants to enjoy the electrifying experience of a live Earth, Wind & Fire concert.
The “Backstage Soundcheck” event kicked off July 19 at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH, before heading to Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, GA on August 19. To learn more about this initiative, visit the Music Is Unity Foundation.
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“As youth age out of foster care, they face unique challenges and often lack the support systems available to others,” said Bailey in a statement. “Through ‘Backstage Soundcheck,’ our aim is to introduce young music enthusiasts to the multitude of career paths within the music industry.”
The music icon told EUR exclusively, “Music is Unity started over 10 years ago to benefit foster youth who are aging out of the system. The Backstage Soundcheck program is something that we started doing a little while back,” he explained. “We just thought it would be a good idea to introduce them to all the many different facets of our touring entourage because there’s so many jobs that make up a touring unit, a company.”
He continued, “We introduced them to everything from the trucks and truck drivers all the way to catering and wardrobe people, techs, sound and lights, some of the people in the staff of the management, tour management. There’s a lot of us out here and they’re always amazed at just how many people it does take for individuals or bands to be on the road. They stay with us and we take pictures with them… we do our soundcheck and then they watch the show.”
Learn more about the Music Is Unity Foundation and the innovative “Backstage Soundcheck” program in our interview with Philip Bailey via the clip below.
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