Musicians Come Out To Perform at The D’Addario Foundation Benefit Concert at Downtown LA’s Palace Theatre!

Last Saturday night (11/2), The D’Addario Foundation hosted the Back 2 School Class of 2019 benefit at the Palace Theatre in downtown LA. As the world’s largest manufacturer of music instrument accessories, D’Addario was thrilled to bring music back to schools and communities.

As a 501c3 non-profit, the money raised from this organization provide kids access to amazing music programs, college assistance scholarships, and encourage more females to pick up guitars and rock out through D’Addario’s Girls In Music Initiative. Last year, the D’Addario Foundation & Guitar Center raised over $30,000 for the D’Addario Girls In Music Initiative.  Each year, the D’Addario foundation utilizes up to 10% of D’Addario’s net earning to fund over 200 non-profit programs. On top of that, D’Addario absorbs all operational costs, ensuring 100% of every dollar goes directly to support music programs globally. 

For this special night of music, many artists hit the stage for this incredible cause including Mandy Moore, Jim James, John C. Reilly, Blake Mills, comedy duo Garfunkel and Oates and many others.

Hosted by the Watkins siblings, Sara and Sean known as The Watkins Family Hour, this 2-hour long concert experience was delightful. Each musician covered a song about school which was fitting since that was the theme of the night- Back To School 2019.

The Watkins Family Hour got the show started with a fun rendition of the Saved by The Bell theme and Jack White’s song “I Can Tell That We Are Going to be Friends.” Soon after the musicians Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Blake Mills and Langhorne Slim performed. Slim shared a charming and funny story about his troubles in school and being placed in the incorrect classes. Then he sang a song he wrote just for this very event about not wanting to go to school.

Next up, the actor John C. Reilly entertained the crowd with his funky version of Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish.” He even played wooden spoons occasionally against his knee which everyone enjoyed!

After the brief intermission, comedy duo Garfunkel and Oats got the audience laughing with their raunchy song about a women’s sexual education. Then, the musician David Garza sang a lively cover of Chuck Berry’s “School Days”. Shortly after, singer-songwriters Mandy Moore and LP wrapped up the singing of the night with the latter performing Alice Cooper’s “Schools Out.” In between the two, an impressive drumline wowed the crowd with their synchronized drumming.

For the very final number, all of the singers were welcomed back on stage to perform Fleetwood Mac’s “Don’t Stop.”

Learn more about the D’Addario Foundation Here- Website