Jail Guitar Doors Is A Done Deal!

NEWS RELEASE

Billy Bragg's Jail Guitar Doors Project to Make United States Debut via sponsorship by the DC Acoustic Underground and Prisons Foundation

On August 19th at the 219 Restaurant, in Alexandria, VA, the DC Acoustic Underground and Prisons Foundation will cosponsor a benefit concert to raise funds to purchase acoustic guitars for the Montgomery County Corrections Facility.

July 18, 2007 (Washington, DC) - Inspired by the Jail Guitar Doors project founded by Singer/Songwriter Billy Bragg in the UK earlier this year, the Jail Guitar Doors Project aims to help in the rehabilitation of inmates through the transformative power of music. The benefit concert, to be held on Sunday, August 19 from 1 to 4 PM, will raise money to fund the purchase of guitars which will be used as part of a pilot program to be run in the Crisis Intervention Unit at the Montgomery County Corrections Facility in Boyds, MD.

Prisons Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, promotes the arts and education in prison and alternatives to incarceration and operates the Prison Art Gallery in downtown Washington, DC. The DC Acoustic Underground provides venues for musicians and poets to perform and perfect their craft. The two organizations have joined forces to use the power of music to enable change and to reduce the rate of recidivism in our country's penal institutions.

In remarks obviously directed to fellow musicians, Billy Bragg says on his web site dedicated to the Jail Guitar Doors Project,” How many of you have sat in your rooms playing guitar and been transported beyond the four walls to a place where you feel free?”

Featured performers at the event will be local singer/songwriters Lea, Jim Dugan, Dennis Sobin, Michael Yugo and Joe Shade.

Women's Rising Music magazine's review of Lea's recent CD stated: “Not since Tracy Chapman has a singer/songwriter come along whose magnetic voice and deep heartfelt appeal draws us in...” MusicMonthly.com in a review of Jim Dugan's CD “Marigold” said it was “Great music,great songs.” Dennis Sobin spent 10 years in prison learning classical and jazz guitar and will be appearing at the Kennedy Center in September. Michael Yugo founded the DC Acoustic Underground last year in response to the overwhelming need for more venues for acoustic players.

Musical instruments are being provided at cost for the project from Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center in Wheaton, MD. Admission will be $6 payable at the time of the event.

Contact:

Guitar Jail Doors Event Coordinator
Joe Shade
joeyshade@gmail.com
703-856-2411

Prisons Foundation
Dennis Sobin
Dennis@PrisonsFoundation.org
202-393-1511

DC Acoustic Underground
Michael Yugo
michaelyugo@yahoo.com
703-475-7636

Response From Billy Bragg

I sent to an email to Billy Bragg regarding my Jail Guitar Doors project and go this response:

Joe,

That is great news.

Just last week, a bunch of young bands from Reading, a large town to the
west of London organised their own fund raiser which you can find out
about here:

www.myspace.com/jailguitardoorsreadingsummerevent

Like you, following my suggestion, they made contact with their local
prison and made it happen. They raised over £2000, with my wholehearted
support but in reality completely autonomously. I feel strongly that this
is an idea that belongs to those who are inspired to take it upon
themselves to make it happen. Maybe you have a different name for your
campaign, maybe you want to use Jail Guitar Doors. Whichever it is, please
do keep me informed. We are comrades working together in the same cause.

best,

Billy