“He had to use the cow bell to win! It was fixed. I was robbed, but it’s ok.” Chad Smith tells us all the dish on the Tonight Show, what it’s like looking a lot like Will Ferrell, his recent visit to the White House, and why he cares so much about reviving music education in America’s public schools.
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I think every kid in America, has the RIGHT to have music and arts in their school. That’s the first thing that’s cut when budgets are slashed, and it’s just wrong. I mean, that’s where I got my start. I learned how to be a drummer all the way through in the public schools.
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This is all a part of the Turnaround Arts Program. I’m going to go in and drum and get them excited. I am hoping to go in and give them some hope. I’m happy to do it, and the Turnaround Program has been happening for years and all 8 schools have been very successful. It helps schools: attendance is better, graduation rates go up, parents get involved, there’s all these great things that happen. Lawmakers see this and allocate money to arts programs, something I believe in so much. It’s about re-instilling school confidence and self-esteem for the children of these schools.