The VH1 Save The Music Foundation's Songwriters Music Series Returns with Robin Thicke in Chicago

CHICAGO, March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, April 26th, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation will launch the 2012 Songwriters Music Series in Chicago, IL with an acoustic performance by Award-winning, soul singer-songwriter Robin Thicke. This marks the first stop in the series, sponsored by Swiss watch company RAYMOND WEIL and William Hill Estate Wines, which will then travel to New York City in June and close out at the breathtaking William Hill Estate in Napa Valley this September. Last year's Songwriters Music Series featured performances by Glee star Matthew Morrison in New York, ACM Award-winning sibling trio The Band Perry in Nashville, Tennessee and Grammy® Award winning musician Colbie Caillat as well as Billboard Magazine "2011 Artist To Watch" Andy Grammer in Los Angeles.

Songwriters Music Series benefits the VH1 Save The Music Foundation in their mission to provide children with access to a complete education that includes music.  These intimate evenings serve as a platform for energized, informed and socially conscious individuals to network amidst great music, a sponsored bar and food.  Each event will also feature today's emerging musicians and most celebrated artists/bands performing hit songs in support of the cause. In total, the 2011 Songwriters Music Series raised over $358,000, which was enough to restore 11 music education programs nationwide.  This year, the Foundation hopes to raise even more so that a greater number of students are provided the tools they need to create, innovate and become the next great leaders in an increasingly competitive world.

"The VH1 Save The Music Foundation does so much work to ensure that future generations will have the instruction and instruments to help them pursue their dreams," said Robin Thicke. "I'm just honored to be able to help the cause and put on a show for the amazing city of Chicago."

Multi-platinum superstar Robin Thicke will kick off the 2012 Songwriters Music Series with a special performance for a select group of ticketholders. Robin's fifth studio album, Love After War was released on December 6th, 2011. The Associated Press calls Love After War a "must buy," Billboard says "Thicke has consistently shown himself to be one of R&B's most devoted ladies' men" and Entertainment Weekly calls the album "ever-seductive." The album is Thicke at his most raw and honest condition yet. It is an album born out of a desire to be the uncompromising, idealistic artist he was as a boy, married with the weight of being a man with responsibilities and the scars of the past.  Love After War and songs you'll discover within it, like "An Angel on Each Arm," "I'm An Animal," "Never Give Up," "Cloud 9," "Pretty Lil' Heart" and "Tears On My Tuxedo" need no explanation: they speak for themselves. The album follows Robin's past hits A Beautiful World, The Evolution of Robin Thicke, Something Else and Sex Therapy.

"We are thrilled to have Robin Thicke perform at the launch of this year's Songwriters Music Series," said Paul Cothran, Vice President & Executive Director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. "Last year's events provided an exciting opportunity for music enthusiasts to share in and spread the word about the power of music.  Having an incredible performer and entertainer like Robin Thicke help us launch the 2012 Series is a great start to what will be another great year."

The Chicago event will take place at an, as yet, undisclosed location from 6:30 PM-10:00 PM and will include opening performances by local sponsors Sing4's YouTube Contest Winner and Houlihan's Restaurants employee musicians contest winners. This year, beginning with the first installment, the Foundation will also present an exclusive social media initiative, "Songwriters Moments In Time with RAYMOND WEIL," which will give audiences everywhere a behind the scenes look at each Songwriters event, with special talent interviews and more. Additional local sponsors include: New Amsterdam Gin, Tequila and Vodka as well as PSAV Chicago.

Tickets for the evening are $100 and can be purchased at www.vh1savethemusic.org/songwriters. For guests who would like to further show their support or are unable to attend any of the events the Foundation is offering additional opportunities to get involved:

Crash & Burn Apparel, a rock-n-roll inspired clothing line based in Los Angeles has teamed up with the Songwriters Music Series to create a limited edition Songwriters T-shirt to benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. The Songwriters T-shirts will be available for purchase at www.shopcrashandburn.com/songwriters beginning April 1, 2012.

On April 10th, the first phase of the 2012 Songwriters Music Series auction will launch online at www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/Songwriters, featuring items like 2 tickets to VH1 Storytellers, 2 tickets to the 2012 Do Something Awards and tickets to the Rock of Ages movie premiere and after party.

Proceeds from event sponsorship, ticket sales, the auction and a portion of t-shirts proceeds will benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation in its mission to keep music alive in American public schools.

For more information or to see how you can get involved, please visit www.vh1savethemusic.org or join the VH1 Save The Music community on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vh1savethemusic and on Twitter at @vh1savethemusic.

About the 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 $48 million in new musical instruments to 1,800 public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the lives of over 1.8 million children. Thanks to the generous support of the VH1 Save The Music Ambassadors, including Katy Perry, Daughtry, Lupe Fiasco, Jordin Sparks, Matthew Morrison, Vanessa Carlton, AJ McLean and Gavin Rossdale, the Foundation is able to generate awareness about the importance of music in a child's education. Get involved and learn more at www.vh1savethemusic.org.

About RAYMOND WEIL
Founded in Geneva in 1976, the Swiss family-owned company, RAYMOND WEIL, enjoys a special position in the exclusive world of luxury watch making.  A collection of refined timepieces that embody an elegant and contemporary blend of elements that inspires emotions with both customers and partners.   Precision is the inspiration for the continued horological mastery that is RAYMOND WEIL.

RAYMOND WEIL, both nationally and internationally, has created a strong presence in the arts, with music at the heart; evident through with the naming of their collections and with various sponsorships, including the BRIT Awards, VH1 Save The Music Foundation and Elle Women In Music.  RAYMOND WEIL prides itself in aestheticism, bringing together the core elements in the excellence of Swiss luxury craftsmanship: precision, quality, reliability, nobility and technicality. For more information visit www.raymond-weil.com

About William Hill Estate®
Tucked away near the Silverado Trail, William Hill Estate crafts luxury Chardonnay from Napa Valley's renowned vineyards, and red Bordeaux varietals from the winery's estate property on the Silverado Bench. Winemaker Ralf Holdenried makes William Hill's extraordinary collection of elegant, expressive wines to showcase the other side of Napa -- the side that is off the beaten path. An avid supporter of the arts, William Hill Estate is a proud sponsor of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, the San Francisco Symphony, Opera and Ballet, and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. Learn more at www.williamhillestate.com.  To learn more about the VH1 Save The Music sponsorship, please visit www.williamhill-vh1savethemusic.com.

About Houlihan's Restaurants
Throughout the years, Houlihan's has passionately supported independent artists and music education. Over the last four years, Houlihan's Restaurants has donated more than $168,000 for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, which equates to fully restoring five music education programs and impacting the lives of more than 3,300 students. And, most recently, Houlihan's launched "H-Listed," a program that features exclusive music from an emerging artist each month in Houlihan's Restaurants and online at www.houlihans.com/music.

Established in 1972, Houlihan's is a progressive concept that bridges the gap between fine dining and what people have come to expect from casual dining, priding itself on style and quality. Houlihan's offers guests a design-forward atmosphere featuring a curated indie soundtrack, an eclectic menu and energetic bar environment. Inspired by fare around the globe, Houlihan's crafts dishes made from scratch with assertive flavors and offers creative, diverse cocktails and wine selections, with many of its locations garnering 'best happy hour' awards from local media outlets. Currently, 83 Houlihan's restaurants operate throughout the country, 52 of which are franchised. Houlihan's is owned by Houlihan's Restaurants, Inc. of Leawood, Kansas, which developed and owns several restaurant concepts comprising of approximately 100 locations coast-to-coast, including Devon Seafood Grill and J. Gilbert's Wood-Fired Steaks. For more information, please visit www.houlihans.com or find Houlihan's on Facebook at www.facebook.com/houlihans.

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

SOURCE VH1