home


Photo Files
(Click for high-res
JPG images)


Autographed Roland Blues Cube Amp Ready for Bidding!

Attendees Trying to Outbid Each Other During Roland’s Silent Auction

CHAMPS Students Entertain the Attendees with Gear Donated by Roland

Autistic Singer-Songwriter Nikki Nik Performs



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Press Contact:
Robert Clyne  
President    
Clyne Media, Inc.
(615) 662-1616
robert@clynemedia.com    

Company Contact:
Rebecca Eaddy
Marketing Communications Mgr.
Roland Corporation U.S.
(323) 890-3718
Rebecca.Eaddy@roland.com

 


Roland Corporation U.S. Proudly Supports Light Up the Blues Concert


Autographed musical instruments donated for silent auction in support of Autism Awareness


Event emceed by Jack Black featured special performances from Stephen and Chris Stills, Neil Young, and more


Los Angeles, CA, June 30, 2016 — Hollywood’s famed Pantages Theatre was host to the fourth annual Light Up the Blues concert, as several rock legends and Hollywood celebrities came together to help raise awareness for autism. The sold-out event was emceed by Jack Black — who wore blue suede sneakers in honor of the cause — and attended by celebrities including Christina Applegate, Andy Dick, Patricia Heaton, Matt Walsh, and many more. Attendees enjoyed musical performances by Neil Young, The Rides (featuring Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Barry Goldberg), Jakob Dylan, The War On Drugs, Nikka Costa, Chris Stills, and others.

As part of its ongoing initiative to help raise awareness of autism, Roland Corporation U.S. donated a dozen musical instruments — ranging from pianos and keyboards, to percussion instruments, to guitar effects and amps — that were hand-signed by the performers, as well as a Rock n’ Roll Fantasy Camp package, tickets to future shows at The Pantages, and autographed Light Up the Blues posters, all of which were included in a silent auction to benefit Autism Speaks. Autism currently affects 1 in 68 children in the United States and millions more worldwide.

This year’s event was again hosted by Kristen and Stephen Stills, and featured a performance by the students from CHAMPS (Charter High School of the Arts Multimedia and Performing). This all-student band performed on instruments provided by Roland and BOSS, entertaining attendees in the lobby before the main Light Up the Blues event and during intermission. Also present were hands-on stations where all attendees were invited to have fun playing a selection of Roland and BOSS musical instruments, with the assistance of Roland staff.   

A highlight of the evening was a special set of performances by three artists with autism: Nikki Nik, Soulshocka, and Kyle Cousins. Matt Asner, director of corporate development for Autism Speaks, commented, “I hope our guests take away a realization of the incredible talent that exists in the autism world. The unbelievable intelligence and beauty of the people who are going to be performing tonight — the three artists on the spectrum — to me, that’s the most important part. The fact that they can get up there with these super stars of rock and blues, with all of the lights and the crowds, and be super stars as they are. It’s incredible. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Chris Halon, Roland Corporation U.S. vice president of marketing, commented, “It was touching to see so many great names in music and movies come together in support of such a great cause. We are extremely proud to be able to do our part to help raise awareness, and we look forward to working with Autism Speaks on many more worthy initiatives.”

The concert spotlights Light It Up Blue, Autism Speaks’ annual global awareness and fundraising campaign celebrated by the international Autism community during World Autism Awareness Day and throughout Autism Awareness Month each year. Proceeds from the concert go toward Autism Speaks’ research and advocacy efforts for families and individuals impacted by the disorder. 

For more information, visit RolandUS.com


---------


Photo File 1: Autographed_Roland_Blues_Cube_Amp.JPG
Photo Caption 1: Autographed Roland Blues Cube Amp Ready for Bidding!

Photo File 2: Attendees_Bid_Silent_Auction.JPG
Photo Caption 2: Attendees Trying to Outbid Each Other During Roland’s Silent Auction

Photo File 3: 2016_LUTB_ChampsBand.JPG
Photo Caption 3: CHAMPS Students Entertain the Attendees with Gear Donated by Roland

Photo File 4: 2016_LUTB_Nikki_Nik_Performs.JPG
Photo Caption 4: Autistic Singer-Songwriter Nikki Nik Performs

 

About Roland Corporation
Roland Corporation is a leading manufacturer and distributor of electronic musical instruments, including keyboards and synthesizers, guitar products, electronic percussion, digital recording equipment, amplifiers, audio processors, and multimedia products. With more than 40 years of musical instrument development, Roland sets the standard in music technology for the world to follow. For more information, visit RolandUS.com or see your local Roland dealer.

About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005, by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $570 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 70 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Copyright ©2016, Clyne Media, Inc.,
All Rights Reserved.