CMA Foundation Donates To Music Programs Affected By Louisiana Floods

Kix Brooks (center) gathers with event organizers Chris Foreman (left) and Wayne Toups at #AcadianaStrong, a concert to benefit flood victims in South Louisiana. Photo: Scott Clause

On behalf of the CMA Foundation, Kix Brooks has announced a donation of $30,000 to music education initiatives that have been affected by recent flooding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Brooks, a Shreveport native who also serves on the CMA Foundation Board of Directors, made the announcement Sunday (Sept. 3) during his set at the “Acadiana Strong” benefit concert for flood victims held in Opelousas, Louisiana.

“I’m very proud of the CMA Foundation and what they’ve done for music education around the country,” said Brooks. “We sometimes don’t realize until a disaster of this magnitude happens how important it is to be able to rebuild music programs that otherwise may take years to rebuild. Being from Louisiana, this is heartfelt appreciation just knowing what the folks in my home state are going through.”

Funds will be donated to Music Rising, an organization that responds specifically to the emergency needs of schools in communities that are devastated by a natural or economic disaster taking away their ability to teach music.

“The Edge (U2) and I are truly thankful to the CMA Foundation and all its members for supporting Music Rising, especially at this time when there is so much need being created by natural and economic disasters all across the country,” said music producer Bob Ezrin, co-founder of Music Rising. “I am particularly proud that this comes from the great city where I reside–Nashville!”

This donation brings the CMA Foundation’s total contributions in Louisiana to $325,000. Current grant recipients include Notes for Notes, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, and VH1 Save The Music, which is rebuilding music education programs in Saint John the Baptist Parish Public Schools.