Azzip Pizza is doing a giveback campaign. Profits on  September 4th will be given back to support our “Music is Key” program. This program provides new guitars and a year of music lessons to at risk
children in our community

At the beginning of each academic year we reach out to the Vigo County School Corporation who assists us in identifying at risk children who are interested in learning to play guitar. These children write a short essay about why they want to learn to play guitar and all those children receive a new guitar and a certificate for free music lessons through ISU School of Music. These children receive their guitars during the Saturday opening ceremonies at the Blues at the Crossroads Festival. If the children continue to take lessons throughout the year they get to perform the following year at the Blues Festival. One of my proudest moments was earlier this year when one of the girls who received a guitar the first year of this program performed at the Verve with a full band. She not only played lead guitar, she was also the lead singer. She stood on the stage full of confidence and it was clear to everyone that she loved what she was doing.

The Story of Blues at the Crossroads Festival In 2000 I started the Blues at the Crossroads Festival. It began as just a “little party” outside the Verve, which I opened in December 1999. I was shocked that attendance was well over a thousand people, so I decided to do it again. In 2005 I set up a not-for-profit so I could use the proceeds from the event to help others throughout the year. That year Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. We were able to fill two box trucks with supplies which Todd Nation and I drove down to Alexandria, AL. I was also able to make a monetary donation of $2,000 to the American Red Cross. For the next few years proceeds from the event went to the American Red Cross and the Terre Haute Boys Club. Then in 2012 I collaborated with Community School of the Arts to create the Music is Key program. This program provides new guitars and a year of music lessons to at risk children in our community. At the beginning of each academic year we reach out to the Vigo County School Corporation who assists us in identifying at risk children who are interested in learning to play guitar. These children write a short essay about why they want to learn to play guitar and all those children receive a new guitar and a certificate for free music lessons through ISU School of Music. These children receive their guitars during the Saturday opening ceremonies at the Blues at the Crossroads Festival. If the children continue to take lessons throughout the year they get to perform the following year at the Blues Festival. One of my proudest moments was earlier this year when one of the girls who received a guitar the first year of this program performed at the Verve with a full band. She not only played lead guitar, she was also the lead singer. She stood on the stage full of confidence and it was clear to everyone that she loved what she was doing.

Connie Wrin – Organizer and Founder. Owner of The Verve.
Shelly Rubinacci – Staff Coordinator. Manager of The Verve.
Cathy Wood – Media Consultant.
Cheryl Maners – Backstage Liaison.