(audience cheers) - All right, what's up y'all?
We are back with The Chicks.
Give it up.
(audience cheering)
All right.
So I think these ladies will agree with me.
Music isn't just our career.
It has what has grounded us our whole lives.
Our next guest wants to ensure every kid
gets the chance to feel grounded
in their lives through music.
Money shouldn't stand in the way of any child.
That's why he's provided free lessons and instruments
for hundreds of kids in Massachusetts.
That makes him a rad human.
(upbeat music)
All right, everybody.
Let's welcome the founder of Rock Stars.
Jonathan Jacob, give it up for him!
(audience cheers)
- Thank You
- So meet The Chicks, meet everybody.
_ Hey how's it going?
You guys can call me JJ.
It's a lot easier.
- [Kelly] Okay fine.
- [JJ] Yeah. - I like a nickname.
- [JJ] Thank you. - We're close already.
So wait, how do you think music has helped shape you?
Like as a human?
- Yeah. Wow.
How long do we have?
(women laughing)
Oh yeah.
Music has shaped me in every way shape or form.
You know, there's probably a big three
that I might point to.
I think self-confidence is probably number one.
- [Kelly] Absolutely.
- You know, music has a way
of making you fall in love with who you already are.
And then I would point to just listening and communication
you know, again, in the business world
and with your husband or wife or friends.
You have to learn how to give and take
and to develop long-term relationships.
Those are just like the most important life skills
that I feel anybody could learn.
And music teaches those in spades,
even if you don't think so.
- Yeah.
How do y'all feel about music?
Like how do you think it shaped you as a human?
- I mean, growing up, playing, since we were little
in band situations,
we were in a teen bluegrass band.
It's, it's learning those different roles
in the different parts.
And like you said,
working together and learning to compromise.
Sometimes, sometimes it's not a time for compromise
but a lot of times in a band situation there are,
and we, you know, a sisterhood has helped us a lot,
and we've been each other's rocks.
So you kind of go through life
with the same people
that have been there for you through music.
- And I wasn't a great student.
And so having music, having that be my thing
gave me something I was good at,
and made me feel good about myself.
And my mom played violin and she was a teacher
and she'd sit on my bed and grade her papers
while I was playing or she'd play with me.
And then I got to play with my sister.
So it also made these family connections stronger.
- I was an average student as well
but I think that's what kept me going in school.
And that's why I think keeping the arts in schools
is so important, because (audience claps)
that is what kept my grades up.
Okay so explain to everybody exactly how Rock Stars works.
- Sure thing. Great question.
So we really have- - Thank you.
- Yeah, you're good at this.
- [Kelly] I'm amazing.
- So we kind of have three pillars with Rock Stars.
The first one is, we know you're into music
but we need to get you an instrument.
Right.
That's kind of the origin here.
Because just like, we all kind of dress
and wear our heart on our sleeves as musicians.
We know that that's important.
So we try to find you something
that really reflects your personality.
The second thing we do is once you have an instrument.
We find a teacher to show you how to play that instrument.
And we partner with all these great community music stores.
And the music store becomes an extension
of the home for the kids.
It's a safe haven.
They go every week, it's consistent.
There's music teachers that often become mentors
to these kids and they don't necessarily have those at home.
- [Kelly] Yeah.
- And then the third opportunity.
I think the best expression is to experience music,
and to perform music.
- 100 percent. - It's a completely different
brain, you know, artistic expression than practicing scales
or sitting in your bedroom with a teacher.
And we look for ways to get kids on a stage.
To get them into a studio. - It's empowering.
- And it really is empowering.
And you know, we're lucky we live in a society now
that encourages people to bring their full selves
to the table- - Mhm
and to fly your flag.
And nothing can compare to performing
and playing music than that.
So- - Yeah.
- that's kind of the third pillar.
- It's so important.
It's so important for all these kids too.
I'm glad I had that outlet.
It kept me out of trouble too (Kelly chuckles)
- Yeah.
- So we wanted to meet some of these budding musicians.
So we asked our NBC10 Boston partner for some help.
HubToday's Colton Bradford is standing by
at one of the music shops that provides lessons
for kids at Rock Star.
So Colton, great to see you.
So where are you and who are you with?
- What up Kelly?
What up guys?
(kids cheering) - Right?
Listen, KC.
I know you have some legends in studio,
but we got some rock stars
(kids cheering) hanging out here today.
We are inside TJ's Music Shop.
Come on over TJ,
here in Fall River, Massachusetts.
Now this guy started this shop 25 years ago.
Originally as a drum shop.
And it has become so much more than that.
25 years later, you are now inside the home
of the largest independently owned music school
in the area, the Fall River Arts Academy.
(kids cheering) Give it up for TJ everyone.
Congratulations.
- Oh, that's awesome.
Well introduce us to some of the students as well.
If you don't mind.
- Of course, yeah we got some superstars in the making here.
What up Kyle?
- What's up? - What's up?
So Kyle is a drummer,
he's booking gigs left and right.
We got Joe here.
Hey Joe.
Actually, these are JJ's kids back here, you guys.
Yes, Quincy, Bella.
All right, next up.
We got two ladies who love to shred back here.
Give it up for Brooke. - [Kelly] I love that.
- Yes, Elijah, Elon make some noise.
They drum and also play the viola.
(Kelly imitates air horn noise)
We got Katie, we got Ethan, we got Jessica,
and we got Tammy right over there too.
So a lot happening here.
And also TJ's Music Shop doubles as one of the homes
for all of the rock stars to come.
And of course get their music lessons here inside as well.
- That is so cool.
Well all you kids, y'all keep playing.
Even if you don't do it for your career, you love it.
It's great therapy.
It's great fun just to hang out with people,
and play and write.
You all look amazing.
I just love how confident you all are as well.
That was amazing.
Nice to see y'all.
Thank you so much, everyone.
Thank you Colton.
(audience claps)
All right.
So we think what you're doing is amazing.
And that's why we're gonna give Rock Stars $5,000
to keep on helping kids
(audience cheers) discover the magic of music.
And I'm actually gonna double that because,
I'll add another five.
(audience cheers) 'Cause this is the kids
that I was.
So- - Thank you.
- thank you so much it really does help out a lot.