Save The Music hosted a virtual event on December 8, 2020 celebrating eight-time GRAMMY® winner, Philip Lawrence, and raising funds to ensure that every student has the ability to make music in school from wherever they are learning during this challenging time. The benefit was sponsored by Gibson Gives, the charitable arm of Gibson Guitars, UTA and Victrola. Proceeds will go towards jumpstarting music programs in underserved schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Hosted by Matt Pinfield, the show kicked off with a heartwarming performance by STM grant recipient, Casillas Elementary in Chula Vista, CA with students singing “All On A Silent Night.”
Matt then introduced STM Executive Director, Henry Donahue, who spoke about the importance of music education especially now during this challenging time. Chloe Flower then performed her rendition of “Carol Of The Bells” on the piano with her signature sound of mixing classical music with hip hop beats. Following Chloe, music teacher Rosalee Sparks and her students from STM school Paul Revere Elementary in Anaheim, CA sang and played instruments to “What A Wonderful World.”
In line with the event’s theme, artists such as Kirk Douglas of The Roots, Andrew Watt and Why Don’t We shared personal stories of how music education has impacted them throughout their lives.
The award portion of the evening then began with David E. Talbert, director of Netflix’s Jingle Jangle, for which Philip Lawrence wrote the music. Philip then performed a medley of some of the greatest hits he worked on with Bruno Mars including “Nothin’ On You,” “Just The Way You Are,” and “Billionaire.” He concluded his performance with “Square Root of Possible” from Jingle Jangle.
Philip accepted the 2020 #MusicSaves LA Honoree Award with a moving speech thanking everyone involved with his success including his parents who raised him in a musical family. He recalled a time in high school when his music teacher believed in him so much that he chose the musical based on Philip, selected him as the lead, and even brought a Broadway star to open the show. Philip emphasized that this type of support helped him become the songwriter he is today and urged viewers to donate to Save The Music so they can provide the resources to nurture students’ talent.
The grand finale was a powerful performance of “Miles and Miles” from Jingle Jangle by Marisha Wallace. Lastly, an encore of “Carol of The Bells” was sung by STM grant recipient, Arts High School in Newark. NJ.
About Philip Lawrence: An 8-time Grammy award winning songwriter, producer, performer, personality and comedian in his own right, Phil is best known for his more than decade collaboration with Bruno Mars. Bruno puts it best when he says, “Every song that you’ve heard me sing, every song [that] they said that I produced, I produced with Philip Lawrence, I’ve written with Philip Lawrence. He is my writing partner. My right hand man!” (Phil also performs on stage with Bruno). These collaborations include, “That’s What I Like”, “Uptown Funk”, “Just the Way You Are”, “Grenade”, “When I Was Your Man”, “Treasure”, and “Locked Out of Heaven” just to name a few. He’s also credited on Adele’s “All I Ask”, CeeLo Green’s “F* You”, B.O.B.’s “Nothing on You” and Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire”. Philip also voiced the character Felipe and wrote/performed the song “It’s A Jungle Out Here,” in the 20th Century Fox animated feature film Rio 2. For the past two years, Philip has been the lead songwriter and co-music producer of Netflix’s first original movie musical entitled “Jingle Jangle,” starring Forest Whitaker, Phylicia Rashad and Keegan-Michael Key, slated for release November 2020.
Lawrence is building a multimedia venture that combines music, film, television and theater production in one space. Most recently he formed CMNTY CULTURE, a record label whose first debut artist RMR is already one of the hottest acts of 2020. Philip is the owner and CEO of legendary Record Plant Studios in Hollywood, CA which he acquired in 2016.
About Gibson Gives: For over 126 years, Gibson has been shaping sound across generations and genres through their guitars. Gibson, and its charitable arm Gibson Gives believe in the power of music, and that getting instruments into the hands of those with a desire to make music is a truly life-changing event. Gibson Gives–a 501(c)(3) committed to introduce, inspire, and amplify the power of music through guitars–believes that now more than ever we must band together to support programs for music students. Gibson Gives is committed to making the world a better place through music by creating, developing, supporting programs, and working with other non-profit organizations, in their efforts to advance youth-focused and healing music initiatives. 100% of all donations to and from Gibson Gives go towards giving the gift of music. Since inception, Gibson Gives has provided thousands of guitars and related value-in-kind of more than $30 million. In mid-2019, Gibson Gives committed to donating 1,000 guitars over the next 1000 days and is ahead, having donated over 750 guitars in less than a year’s time. Gibson Gives believes investing in music education will yield better people, better leaders, and a better world. Gibson Gives is changing lives…one guitar at a time. For more information, visit: www.gibsongives.org.
About Gibson: Gibson, the world’s most iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for more than 100 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, TN, with a premiere acoustic facility in Bozeman, MT, Gibson Brands has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson Brands portfolio includes Gibson, the number one guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, Kramer, Steinberger, and the Gibson Pro Audio Division, KRK Systems. Gibson Brands is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands. Learn more at Gibson.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Gibson TV, and Instagram.
About UTA: Leading global talent and entertainment company UTA represents many of the most acclaimed figures across film, television, news, music, sports, speakers, theater, fine art, literature, video games, podcasts and other social and digital content. A passionate advocate for artists, creators and innovators, the company also is recognized in the areas of film finance and packaging, branding, licensing and endorsements. UTA is known for its dedicated digital media group helping clients—from A-list talent to Fortune 500 companies—capitalize on a rapidly changing entertainment, media and business landscape. The agency’s worldwide presence includes its Los Angeles headquarters and offices in New York, London, Nashville, Miami and Malmö, Sweden. Information about UTA can also be found by following the company on social media on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About Victrola: Victrola, much like music, has transcended time and endured the evolution of technology. Our audio products offer the vintage look and feel that’s reminiscent of bygone memories – combined with unparalleled sound quality and exquisite craftsmanship that will provide you with the ultimate listening experience for years to come. Sleek and modern, sophisticated and timeless or bold and retro, we believe a Victrola is more than just a method of listening to music, but a statement.