Starburst® Presents Songwriters Music Series to Benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation With Matthew Morrison in NYC and The Band Perry in Nashville

NEW YORK, April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 10th, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation will kick off the Songwriters Music Series at the Hard Rock Cafe New York with a short acoustic set by musician and "Glee" star Matthew Morrison. Following the launch in NYC, the series will travel to Nashville, Tennessee on June 2nd with a performance by the ACM Award-winning sibling trio The Band Perry at the Hard Rock Cafe's Reverb Room and Los Angeles in September with a soon to be announced artist.

"Starburst is pleased to present the Songwriters in the Round series to benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation," said Michael Watt, Wrigley's VP and General Manager US Confections.  "We are honored to help support the efforts of the Foundation and bring the spirit of Starburst's contradictions campaign to various elements of this year's events."

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 will be unique to its host city, held at an exclusive venue and feature today's most celebrated artists/bands performing their hit songs and sharing their personal stories behind the music.  As an added bonus, each artist/band will also perform a special song that is contradictory to their normal genre in spirit of Starburst candy's contradictory taste – solid, yet juicy like a liquid.  Later in April, Starburst is kicking off the partnership with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation by launching The Contradictions Project.  Joining Starburst, additional national sponsors of the Songwriters Music Series include: Anheuser-Busch, Martin Guitars and William Hill Estate Wines. Tickets are priced at $100 each, all to benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, and a limited number are currently on sale at www.vh1savethemusic.com/songwriters, by emailing vh1stmtickets@gmail.com or by calling 212-846-7882.

"We are thrilled to have Matthew Morrison and The Band Perry participate in our Songwriters Music Series," said Paul Cothran, Executive Director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. "Having artists of their caliber lend their time and efforts to supporting our cause is an honor and we look forward to continuing 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."

Matthew Morrison's self-titled debut is available May 10th on Mercury Records.  In support of the album and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, Matthew is launching a major summer tour, which will feature songs from his forthcoming album, including the hit single "Summer Rain," along with many of the "Glee" fan favorites.  In tribute to the great glee clubs across the country, the tour will also offer regional glee clubs the chance to compete for the 'opening act' performance slot in each market and the winner will be chosen by Morrison. Entries can be submitted at www.matthewmorrison.com/gleeclubcontest.

Matthew Morrison is best known to millions as the eternally optimistic high school teacher - and de facto glee club director - Will Schuester, on the FOX television network's runaway hit comedy series "Glee."  The show ranks as the #1 entertainment program on broadcast television among Adults 18-34, Teens and Female Teens. Morrison has been nominated for Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe awards, and shared the 2009 SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Award for Best Performance by an Ensemble in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical, for "Glee." Morrison is no stranger to musical theatre, vocal performance and dance, which he studied at New York University's renowned Tisch School of the Arts.  His first big Broadway break came as heartthrob Link Larkin in the hit Hairspray.  Morrison was later nominated for a Tony Award for his role in The Light in the Piazza.  He received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for 10 Million Miles. Morrison also starred in the Tony Award-winning revival of South Pacific at New York's Lincoln Center Theater. 

The Band Perry's performance in Nashville, Tennessee on June 2nd will follow the Songwriters Music Series' debut in New York. One of Country music's hottest break-through acts, The Band Perry released their self-titled debut album in October 2010 and just four months later, it was certified Gold. The family trio's "modern throwback" style combines classic Country with an eclectic infusion of Rock, Gospel and Soul. As songwriters and musicians, their sound is distinct and rounded out by the rare magic of perfect three-part harmonies. Their first single, the up-tempo "Hip To My Heart" was a Top 20 hit, followed by the inspiring, reflective "If I Die Young," reached #1, was certified Platinum and racked up over 18 million views on YouTube. The Band Perry recently revealed their third single, "You Lie." The sassy anthem of a woman scorned features wordplay that proves the pen is mightier than the sword. "You Lie" is TBP's fastest-climbing radio single to date. Having previously earned CMA and Grammy nominations, the Band Perry recently earned their first ACM Awards (for New Artist of the Year and New Duo or Group of the Year). On April 8, they will join Tim McGraw's Emotional Traffic Tour in Corpus Christi, TX.

After Nashville, the series will move to Los Angeles in September with a surprise performance set to-be-announced in the coming months.

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 The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company:

The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company is a recognized leader in confections with a wide range of product offerings including gum, mints, hard and chewy candies, lollipops, and chocolate.  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®, Boomer™, Pim Pom™, Winterfresh®, Extra®, Starburst®, Freedent®, Hubba Bubba®, Orbit®, Excel®, Creme Savers®, Eclipse®, Airwaves™, Solano™, Sugus™, Lockets™, P.K.™, Cool Air™ and 5®.  Wrigley is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and operates as a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated, based in McLean, Virginia.  Mars is a $30-billion, family-owned company that produces some of the world's leading confectionery, food and petcare products and has growing beverage and health & nutrition businesses.

About Hard Rock International

With a total of 170 venues in 51 countries, including 133 cafes and 15 Hotels/Casinos, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya, Bali, Macau, Penang, Singapore and Punta Cana.  Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Panama, scheduled to open in 2012; and Hungary, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2013.  Hard Rock International is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com.  For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.

CONTACT:
Nick Carcaterra
Susan Blond, Inc.
212.333.7728 ext.126
nickc@susanblondinc.com

Emily McMahon
Dig Communications
312.377.4121
emcmahon@digcommunications.com

SOURCE VH1 Save The Music Foundation