350 Strangers Play Together Proving That Music Is "The Original Social Network"

CARLSBAD, Calif., March 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- What happens when 350 people meet for the first time, to play a song never before performed? As revealed in the NAMM Foundation's new public service announcement (PSA), when people play together they share, comment, connect, like and friend in real life. Real connections are made every day by joining "The Original Social Network"—music!

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150304/179434

"Since the dawn of human history, people have come together with the goal of creating connection and community," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. "When we saw this spontaneous gathering last summer we thought, 'that's it!' that's the original social network. Of course, it's music!"

NPR Music captured the footage and music featured in this piece for a Make Music Day Field Recording on June 21, 2014. On that sunny June day, 350 strangers gathered to play "100+ BPM," an original composition by Sunny Jain of Red Baraat. The people in the crowd had never performed this song or together as a group before. No one knew who would show up or how it would sound. But it did work and sounds (as you can hear) amazing! The joy, community and energy witnessed in this video are completely authentic.

The NAMM Foundation's Just PLAY campaign is a multilingual public service effort designed to inspire people to feel the benefits and power of playing music. Just PLAY has earned more than $20 million in donated airtime, placing the spots in the top 1% of PSAs played in the U.S. in 2014. "The Original Social Network" begins airing this spring in an international campaign including television, radio, billboards, digital, and social platforms.

View NAMM Foundation's entire Just PLAY PSA campaign by visiting: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWy7ZAnb00SVYpUOi8Xyq9y2bE0w-UtjA

Just PLAY underscores the NAMM Foundation's year-round initiatives designed to advance active participation in music making, including support of scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. To run NAMM Foundation's Just PLAY campaign, please contact TV Access or the NAMM Foundation. Death Cookie Entertainment produced the spot in collaboration with NPR Music and Red Baraat.

About NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a (501c3) non-profit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 9,200 members around the world. The NAMM Foundation works to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About Red Baraat
Red Baraat's critically acclaimed high-energy fusion of North Indian bhangra, jazz, and hip-hop has made them one of the most unique and exciting bands performing today. www.redbaraat.com

MEDIA CONTACT:            
Lora Bodmer | NAMM Public Relations Director | 760-438-8007x102 | [email protected]    

SOURCE NAMM Foundation

Related Links

http://www.nammfoundation.org