Starburst® Continues Songwriters Music Series to Benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation With Colbie Caillat in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 22nd, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation continues the Songwriters Music Series in Los Angeles with an acoustic performance by Grammy® Award winning musician, Colbie Caillat. This marks the third stop in the series, which launched in New York City this past May with a performance by Glee star Matthew Morrison and continued in Nashville, Tennessee in June with ACM Award-winning sibling trio The Band Perry.

"Starburst is excited to be a part of the final Songwriters in the Round series in Los Angeles to help raise money and awareness for the VH1 Save the Music Foundation," said Michael Watt, Wrigley's VP and General Manager US Confections. "The first two events had Starburst contradictory elements woven throughout the evening, the venue and the artist's performance and we can't wait to bring that to the LA event."

Songwriters Music Series benefits the VH1 Save The Music Foundation in their mission to provide all children with access to a complete education that includes music.  Presented by Starburst, each event has been unique to its host city, held at an exclusive venue and featured today's most celebrated artists/bands performing their hit songs and sharing their personal stories behind the music.  Matthew Morrison and The Band Perry launched the series with highly touted, intimate sets that allowed their fans to experience their music up close and personal, all while getting some insight into the inspiration behind their favorite songs. The initial two events have raised more than $100,000 in support of their efforts to keep music education in our nation's public schools.

"We are so excited to move forward with our Songwriters Music Series and have Colbie Caillat perform," said Paul Cothran, Executive Director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. "The first two events were huge successes and I can't wait to continue with a talented artist such as her. With Colbie's help we can continue to raise awareness about the importance of a musical education in a child's life, ensuring that additional children have access to the benefits of music study."

Armed simply with her dusky vocals and acoustic guitar, Colbie Caillat and her homespun music continue to resonate with listeners and win new fans. Since the release of her multi-platinum debut Coco in 2007 and it's follow up Breakthrough, which debuted at number one on the Billboard charts, Caillat has continuously produced great music, leading up to her most recent album, All of You. As a VH1 Save The Music Foundation Ambassador, Colbie has raised more than $20,000 to help keep instrumental music education in our nation's public schools, recognizing the value it has on the development of the whole child.

"I'm so thrilled to be included in Starburst and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation's Songwriters Music Series," said Colbie Caillat. "As a Foundation Ambassador, it is always exciting to do my part in helping them spread awareness about the importance of music education in our schools. It's going to be a great show so make sure to get your tickets!"

On September 22nd, she will perform an intimate acoustic set at a soon to be disclosed location in Los Angeles to benefit the Foundation. As an added bonus, Caillat will join past performers in the series by performing a special song that is contradictory to her normal genre, in the spirit of Starburst candy's contradictory taste – solid, yet juicy like a liquid.  Attendees will be encouraged to share their own personal contradictions with the Starburst Contradictions Project to be part of the Starburst $250,000 donation to the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. Joining Starburst, additional national sponsors of the Songwriters Music Series include: Martin Guitars, William Hill Estate Wines, State Farm Insurance, JetBlue Airways, RAYMOND WEIL USA, Pioneer Engineering and Skam Artist Entertainment. Tickets are priced at $100 each for the Los Angeles event and include open bar, passed food and music by DJ Rick Rude.  Sponsorship and ticket proceeds will benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.   A limited number are currently on sale at www.vh1savethemusic.com/songwriters or by calling 212-846-7882.

In conjunction with the Songwriters Music Series, Starburst is also presenting the Contradictions auction to benefit the Foundation, which consists of a curated series of items and experiences that celebrate the contradictions that make life more interesting, in harmony with the Starburst contradictions campaign. The auction is being run through leading charity auction site charitybuzz and fans are invited to view the entire collection and bid at http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/Contradictions. Some items included are a visit to the VH1 Single Ladies set, four tickets to the SOLD OUT iHeartRadio Music Festival, two tickets to Jazz in the Gardens with a stay at the Kimpton Hotel Miami and two VIP tickets to Alicia Keys' Stick Fly on Broadway opening night and after party.

For more information please visit: www.vh1savethemusic.com.

About VH1 Save The Music Foundation

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America's public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child's complete education. To date, VH1 Save The Music has provided more than $47 million in new musical instruments to 1,750 public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the lives of over 1.6 million children.  The 2012 Ambassador Class - dedicated to raising awareness and funds to benefit The Foundation - includes:  Amber Riley, Ciara, Jewel, John Legend, John Mayer, Kristin Chenoweth, Lifehouse and Sara Bareilles.  Get involved at www.vh1savethemusic.com and follow us on twitter @vh1savethemusic.

About Wrigley:

Wrigley is a recognized leader in confections with a wide range of product offerings including gum, mints, hard and chewy candies, and lollipops. The company has operations in more than 40 countries and distributes its world-famous brands in more than 180 countries. Three of these brands - Wrigley's Spearmint, Juicy Fruit, and Altoids - have heritages stretching back more than a century. Other well-loved brands include Doublemint, Life Savers, Skittles, Big Red, Winterfresh, Extra, Starburst, Orbit, Airwaves, P.K., Cool Air and 5 Wrigley is headquartered in Chicago, IL and operates as a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated, based in McLean, VA. Mars is a $30-billion, family-owned company that produces some of the world's leading confectionery, food and pet-care products and has growing beverage and health & nutrition businesses.

CONTACT:
Nick Carcaterra
Susan Blond, Inc.
212.333.7728 ext.126
[email protected]

Emily McMahon
Dig Communications
312.377.4121
[email protected]

SOURCE VH1 Save The Music Foundation