Recent News - Road Recovery Foundation

ANTHRAX – Bassist, FRANK BELLO Throws Down For Road Recovery’s Youth Program & Supports the Non-Profit’s Sing Sing Prison Program

Thursday January 28, 2010

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Friday, January 22, 2010 — NEW YORK, NY: Old school thrasher, Frank Bello, bassist from The Bronx homegrown band ANTHRAX, graciously spearheaded a three hour Road Recovery *Master Class at the non-profit’s Manhattan headquarters and recording studios (MajorWho Media/Threshold Music Studios) with more than a dozen young adult participants enrolled in Road Recovery’s NYC **Performance Workshops program.

Bassist to Bassist – Frank Bello shares his bass tricks
with Road Recovery program participant Ian B.

The Road Recovery ‘crew’ relishes in the gift of
Frank Bello and his donated signature Basses.

Bello showed up at Road Recovery’s front door armed with boxes of his signature Fender Squire electric jazz bass guitars, featuring his P/J pickup combination and black and white skull graphic on the body, and a skull graphic inlay on the twelfth fret.

"Road Recovery is an amazing place that offers kids hope and guidance in their lives through music. I will never forget the privileged feeling of talking and hanging out with these talented and creative kids who found the right path for their lives. Road Recovery Rules!!" – Frank Bello, bassist – Anthrax

Frank Bello (2nd from left), MajorWho Media/Threshold Music Studios,
and Road Recovery Staff. Feeling the
aftermath of Frank Bello’s Master Class night.

*Road Recovery’s Master Class Series attracts entertainment industry professionals who wish to provide young people access and insight to real life experiences by sharing their knowledge and wisdom with young adult participants enrolled in Road Recovery’s Performance Workshops Program.

**Road Recovery’s Performance Workshops Program involves entertainment industry professionals, independent mental health experts, and supported by a community of like-minded peers collaborating to create, produce and present live concert events. Road Recovery’s Performance Workshops Program is not a substance abuse / mental health / medical treatment provider, but serves as an adjunct to each program participants existing treatment team.

In addition to supporting Road Recovery’s youth, Frank Bello donated one of his signature instruments to be used by inmates participating in Road Recovery’s ‘Meeting & Music’ outreach program recently launched with the New York State Department of Correctional Services at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, NY.

"In support of Road Recovery's efforts in bringing a message of hope and possibility to a select group of Sing Sing prison inmates who are changing their lives for the better through the Road Recovery’s "Meeting and Music Program"- I’m happy to donate some of my basses to these guys in order to give them a great tool to succeed in achieving positive changes in their lives through making music." – Frank Bello, bassist - Anthrax

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PETER FRAMPTON AND DENIS LEARY
ROCK A SOLD OUT SHOW TO BENEFIT ROAD RECOVERY
AT JOHN VARVATOS BOWERY NYC (formerly CBGB)

Tuesday - January 12, 2010

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Peter Frampton performs up front for the sold-out crowd.

January 12, 2010 — NEW YORK, NY — John Varvatos hosted a SOLD-OUT benefit concert on January 7, 2010 for the non-profit organization Road Recovery, with a one-time performance given by Grammy-Award Winning Artist Peter Frampton and FX’s Emmy nominated Rescue Me star and comedian Denis Leary, along with his band The Enablers. The concert, which took place at the John Varvatos’ 315 Bowery NYC store, was part of Varvatos’ Thursday Nite Live Concert Series and was held at the space that formerly housed the seminal underground music club CBGB’s. This special concert had WRXP Radio 101.9-FM’s Leslie Fram & Matt Pinfield as emcees including a musical performance led by Matt Pinfield with Road Recovery’s mentor staff.

(l-r) Jack Bookbinder (Road Recovery), Leslie Fram (WRXP Radio),
Gene Bowen (Road Recovery), Matt Pinfield (WRXP Radio) pre-show
‘kiss’ for an amazing night of music and support!

John Varvatos & Todd Alsup (Road Recovery staff/MajorWho Media)
show-off their onstage John Varvatos threads.
www.MajorWho.com

Road Recovery’s house band Crazy James, in addition to participants from Road Recovery’s youth program with Jewish Board of Family & Children’s Services (JBFCS), performed songs for which they wrote the music and lyrics. These youth, ranging in age from 15 to 26, have been sober anywhere from one month to over five years and their set kicked off the evening and rocked the crowd.

Road Recovery ‘Rappers’ open the night to a silenced crowd.

Denis Leary (rear center) in the middle of the
storm with Road Recovery’s youth performers.

Denis Leary and his band, The Enablers, took the stage and treated the sold out crowd to such Leary classics as "A**hole" and "Traditional Irish Folk Song" as well as a soon to be classic version of the Faces song "Ooh La La" substituting the lyrics for "I wish that they had all of these drugs, when I was younger."

Denis Leary onstage with The Enablers.

The finale - Denis Leary, Adam Roth (The Enablers, Road Recovery staff),
& Peter Frampton perform "A**hole".

Denis Leary said, “Without benefits like this, people like me would never get to use our music to bring attention and raise money for such a worthy cause. Keeping kids off drugs is important and the fact that I get to play with Frampton is priceless”.

On a pure note, Peter Frampton hit the stage with a smile and open arms. Guitar, bass and keyboards were all that he needed to send the crowd of diehard Frampton fans into a frenzy during "Baby I Love Your Way," "Show Me the Way," and "Do You Feel Like We Do?” As if Frampton's signature talk-box and guitar playing wasn't enough to please even the most jaded of downtown New Yorkers, he chose to close his set with a beautiful rendition of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

Peter Frampton goes electric (note famed TalkBox vocal tube).

Frampton said of the evening, “It’s very humbling to be a part of a night like this. Knowing that I can be of help in some small way to Road Recovery, is the best feeling. I can only hope that I helped them as much as they have helped me".

Frampton participated in a pre-show 45-minute Master Class with members of Road Recovery’s Crazy James where he shared his knowledge and lifes experiences as a Grammy award winning recording artist in the music business for the past forty years.
At the end of Frampton’s set both Denis and his band and John Varvatos joined him on stage for an encore performance of "A**hole."

Peter Frampton (center) surrounded by Road Recovery’s
youth after his pre-show 45 minute Master Class.

John Varvatos was excited to have two talented artists performing on one night for an important cause saying, “It’s an honor supporting Road Recovery. The work they do is remarkable. Just look at the faces of the kids who are part of their programs. Rock On!!!”
Denis Leary and The Enablers are unbelievable musicians and have the best sense of humor in rock n’ roll. And it goes without saying that having Peter Frampton on stage in our Bowery NYC store was a dream come true!”
The store was filled to capacity and the event raised more than $20,000 for the charity.

After show glow…John Varvatos, Peter Frampton, Denis Leary.

About John Varvatos
Launched in 2000 with a collection of tailored clothing and sportswear, John Varvatos now represents an entire men’s lifestyle that includes footwear, bags, belts, eyewear, limited edition watches, men’s and women’s luxury skincare and fragrances, as well as the younger, edgier John Varvatos USA Collection and Converse by John Varvatos. The designer has been recognized three times by the CFDA with an American Fashion Award for New Menswear Designer (June 2000) and Menswear Designer of the Year (June 2001 and June 2005) and was honored as GQ’s “Designer of the Year” in 2007. The collection is distributed in freestanding John Varvatos boutiques across the US, as well as in better specialty stores throughout the world. www.johnvarvatos.com

Road Recovery wishes to THANK…John Varvatos & his team, Peter Frampton & his band, Denis Leary & The Enablers, 101.9 RXP Radio – Matt Pinfield & Leslie Fram, Ken Levitan & Lisa Jenkins – Vector Management for Peter Frampton, Bartow Church, Sawyer Williams & everyone at Apostle, Road Recovery mentor staff, Major Who Media, Dworkin & CO, Mary Guibert & Jeff Buckley Music, Gibson Guitars & Shanon Chaiken, Ready To Roll Transportation, UC, the Source & Una Cote, Alec Gold & CondomCents, Jewish Board For Family & Children Services, Graham Windham Services, The Village Voice, Icelandic Glacial Water.

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Aerosmith’s - Joe Perry, Metallica’s – James Hetfield, Hot Tuna’s – Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady – Host Master Classes + Charles Grodin Fundraiser Yields - $8,000.00.

Road Recovery’s Master Class Series attracts entertainment industry professionals who wish to provide young people access and insight to real life experiences by sharing knowledge and wisdom with young adult participants enrolled in Road Recovery’s Performance Workshops Program.

Recently, Joe Perry, James Hetfield, Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady graciously hosted Road Recovery Master Classes during their NYC tour stops.

Aerosmith’s – Joe Perry
The Fillmore at Irving Plaza, NYC – Monday, November 10th.
Joe Perry Project – Have Tour, Will Travel

In a pre-show meeting, guitar legend – Joe Perry gathered a group of Road Recovery’s youth together to share some of his well tested life experiences.

Aerosmith’s Joe Perry interacts with Road Recovery program participant
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

“When you’re triggered, you gotta make phone calls. Call your support team who are there to help you stay on the right path. It sounds hokey, but it all works! It’s definitely tough in the beginning, but I find it helps when you hang around the right people. Together, through music and creativity with Road Recovery, you’re gonna find your path.”

“By talking with Road Recovery’s kids today, I’m reminded that it’s one-day-at-a-time, you’ve gotta give it back. You gotta stay connected. That’s how it works, it’s ‘tried & true’ – and hey, I’m living proof. Thanks to everyone at Road Recovery for helping me!” – Joe Perry

Joe Perry, post Master Class gathering with Road Recovery Staff and participants
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

Thanks to…Joe Perry, Matt Pinfield, Matt Ianni, Jessica Squire, Danielle Friedman, John Bionelli & the staff at The Fillmore @ Irving Plaza for making it all happen for Road Recovery!

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Metallica’s – James Hetfield
Madison Square Garden, NYC – Sunday, November 15th.
World Magnetic Tour

For the second time in less than a year, Metallica front man – James Hetfield hosted another closed door backstage gathering in continuum of his support for Road Recovery’s youth who have chosen to live each day free from active chemical dependency.

James Hetfield surrounded by Road Recovery participants
and staff behind closed doors at Madison Square Garden - NYC
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

Marking the half-way point of an 18+ month world tour, James Hetfield showed no sign of wear and tear. His energized spirit galvanized the hour long exchange with Road Recovery’s youth, giving them a message of hope, based on his tried and true experiences. For many, it was an opportunity to bring James Hetfield up to date about their lives since they last saw him.

James Hetfield catching up with Road Recovery participants
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

Feeling the positive vibe with James Hetfield
after another Road Recovery Master Class
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

With unending gratitude to: James Hetfield, Joni Soekotjo, Ray Masterson, Vickie Strate, & Jeff Yeager for their beautiful commitment to Road Recovery’s teens!

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Hot Tuna – Electric
Beacon Theater, NYC – Saturday, December 5th.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady returned to the Beacon Theatre for their triumphant annual Sold-Out electric Hot Tuna celebration, where they invited Road Recovery’s teens to sit-in on sound check and gather backstage before the show. In a relaxed living room setting, Kaukonen and Casady freely described their 40 year musical friendship and provided life lessons tracing back to their folk music days with Janis Joplin, leading the counter-culture revolution as members of the Jefferson Airplane and their spin-off American blues-rock band Hot Tuna. Without hesitation, the pair described in great detail how they once lived, and the dramatic outcome as a result of painstakingly changing their old attitudes and behaviors, something they once dismissed.

Jack Casady & Jorma Kaukonen share their journey with
Road Recovery participants before their sold out NY show.
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

“This has absolutely been a good, positive experience meeting up with everyone involved in Road Recovery. The opportunities that kids get with Road Recovery is something that would have been unthinkable for me at that age.” - Jorma Kaukonen

“I feel lucky to have this chance to do service for Road Recovery. It put me in contact with youth in recovery and reminded me of my responsibility to others and myself. Thanks!” - Jack Casady

Jorma Kaukonen interacting with Road Recovery participants and staff
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

Coming together with Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

Road Recovery wishes to THANK: Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Vanessa Kaukonen, Steve Martin, Phil Jacobs and The Beacon Theatre staff for their efforts and care in making it all happen so easily!

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Road Recovery Benefit – ‘An Evening of Humor and More’ with Charles Grodin Raises $8,000.00 For The Non-Profits Youth Programs.
Grace Mansion, Manhasset, NY – Saturday, October 24th.

Actor, writer, Charles Grodin and daughter, comedian, Marion Grodin along with Long Island, New York - Road Recovery supporters: Jo-Ann Schain, Mike and Joyce Greece and the staff of Padilla Speer Beardsley (PSB)spearheaded an intimate evening of music, humor and awareness about Road Recovery. The benefit helped expose North Shore Long Islanders to the Manhattan based non-profit organization, while raising needed funds for their ongoing youth programs.

Charles Grodin performs comedy, recollections,
and more to a private Long Island - NY audience
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

Invited guests enjoying the intimate benefit event
inside the magnificent Grace Mansion
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

Charles Grodin & Marion Grodin share a moment
before performing at Road Recovery’s benefit event
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

Long Island- NY benefit organizers Jo-Ann Schain, Mike &
Joyce Greece come together for Road Recovery
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

Thanks to: Charles & Marion Grodin, Jo-Ann Schain, Mike & Joyce Greece, PSB staff (Deanna Decker) and everyone who showed up to support Road Recovery.

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FOOTNOTES:

Ray Davies tickets
Town Hall, NYC – Thursday, November 19th.
Generously Provided By: Steve Martin & The Agency Group.

A group of Road Recovery’s participants, staff and supporters were invited by Road Recovery Executive Board member Steve Martin of The Agency Group to attend an intimate concert of Ray Davies (of The Kinks) at Town Hall, New York City on November 19th.
The Road Recovery group was treated to stellar seats close to the stage to hear classics by the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer including “You Really Got Me” and “All Day and All of the Night”.

Some of the ‘Road Recovery gang’ pose before entering the Ray Davies show

Two members of The Enablers, including creative workshop staffer Adam Roth, who will play with Denis Leary for the Road Recovery Benefit Concert on January 7, 2010 attended as Road Recovery’s special guests and mixed with the entire group for some pre and post-show excitement.

Thanks to Steve Martin and The Agency Group for providing Road Recovery teens, staff and supporters a great night of music and fun together.

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Road Recovery FALL ’09 Recap! CondomCents Street Ads, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Bob Dylan, NY Mets Ticket Comps, & Rock and Ride Fundraiser

CONDOMCENTS & ROAD RECOVERY RE-SKIN THE CITY!
CondomCents offered and deployed for Road Recovery FREE ADVERTISING on the entire facing of their condom machines located throughout the metropolitan area for a several months-long street marketing/advertising campaign to raise awareness of the New York City based non-profit organization. CondomCents is an organized and dedicated team committed to providing the means for people to lead a responsible and safe sex life. CondomCents' goal is to raise money for AIDS charities. They provide a new vehicle in which condoms are made more readily available and accessible without peer pressure to the individual.

Alec Gold of CondomCents gives ‘thumbs up’
to Road Recovery & the re-skinning of his
condom machines in elite clubs, bars & lounges.

The CondomCents team is composed entirely of Manhattan dwellers, who intimately know the ins and outs of city nightlife. Road Recovery’s co-founder Jack Bookbinder and CondomCents’ Founder/President Alec Gold trail blazed the network of establishments throughout the metropolitan area, re-skinning the condom machines with Road Recovery advertising graphics and their message of hope. Because CondomCents’ network of venues are selected by evaluation of patrons, locations and consumer traffic, this street marketing/advertising campaign, donated by CondomCents, will spread the awareness of Road Recovery in the many elite bars, clubs, lounges, restaurants and hotels in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Bookbinder & Gold hit establishments throughout
Manhattan and here in Brooklyn to spread Road Recovery’s
message of hope while patrons relieve themselves.

Alec Gold reveals his re-skinning techniques in tight
spots for advertising Road Recovery graphics and
message of hope on his non-profit organization’s condom machines

The network of establishments are dependent on socially conscious venue owners and patrons who recognize CondomCents’ goals of raising money for AIDS charities. CondomCents also links the profits from condom sales directly to HIV/AIDS charities to hopefully one day help find a cure. 100% of condom vending profits are donated to our charities. CondomCents is there at the door, via highly recognizable door labels which act as a flag to recognize the venue as part of the network. The establishments showed their commitment to the social causes of CondomCents and Road Recovery by approving the campaign, thus ensuring impressions to their customers and the entire community for many months to come.

After re-skinning fifty machines in over two-dozen
NYC area clubs, Gold & Bookbinder share a
moment and use their heads…in the head.

"After Road Recovery & CondomCents worked together to promote the annual benefit concerts at the Nokia Theater the last couple years, I offered Road Recovery to skin my CondomCents machines situated in scores of bars/clubs across Manhattan & Brooklyn to promote our common message of promoting healthy lifestyles. Not enough can be said about Condomcents and Road Recovery working together creating real world, new trailblazing avenues of healthy living."
-Alec Gold, Founder
Condomcents / www.Condomcents.net /org

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Floor Seats to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th Anniversary Concert
:: Friday, October 30, 2009 at Madison Square Garden, New York City ::

(center) Steve Martin of the Road Recovery Executive Board, President, The Agency Group
with Road Recovery Performance Workshops Program participants
in front of the world’s most famous arena before the festivities.

Thanks to Road Recovery executive board member Steve Martin and The Agency Group, a small group of Road Recovery participants were treated to floor seats to witness the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th Anniversary Concert at Madison Square Garden starring the featured artists Metallica, U2, Aretha Franklin, Jeff Beck and some surprise guests including Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones), the Black Eyed Peas, Ray Davies (The Kinks), Sting, Lou Reed, Ozzy Osbourne, Patti Smith, Buddy Guy, Annie Lennox, and the legendary Jerry Lee Lewis. Special thanks to Bree Marsden for the tactical pre-show ticket hand-off.

Road Recovery teens on the floor at Madison Square Garden
for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th Anniversary Concert at Madison Square Garden

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Tulsa, OK: Road Recovery Supporters Catch Bob Dylan’s Set @ The Brady Theatre :: Saturday, October 24th ::
In recognition of their ongoing efforts for the cause, Road Recovery provided up front tickets to Bob Dylan’s show at The Brady Theatre in Tulsa, Oklahoma for local supporters; drummer – Jim Bell, The Music Store’s Jim Ziegler & pal, keyboardist - Jim Downing.

The Music Store, Inc (www.musicstoreinc.com) has been outfitting Tulsa’s music community since 1972, and has been an active supporter of Road Recovery every time the non-profit organization comes to town!

(L-R) Road Recovery supporters Jim Downing (keyboardist), Jim Ziegler (guitarist,
The Music Store, Inc. - www.MusicStoreInc.com), Jim Bell
(drummer, Road Recovery Tulsa, OK point guy!) are all smiles after Bob Dylan's set!!

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More VIP Tickets for NY Mets vs. Houston Astros baseball game!!
:: Friday, September 2, 2009 at Citi Field, Flushing, New York ::
Thanks to Road Recovery executive board member Scott Einiger, Esq. and the Law Firm of Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Greenberg, Formato & Einiger, LLP, a group from Road Recovery were treated again to VIP tickets, plus dinner at the Caesars Club to see the New York Mets. vs. the Houston Astros at the brand new Citi Field. Highlights included Excelsior Level tickets behind home plate, access to the exclusive Caesars Club, and an impressive return of the enigma pitcher Oliver Perez.

(L-R) Scott Einiger of the Road Recovery Executive Board with Performance
Workshops Program participants Ryan A., David W. and
Road Recovery’s Jack Bookbinder pose from their VIP perch.

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Road Recovery Parent Organizes ‘ROCK & RIDE’ Raising $35,000!
:: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2009 ::
"ROAD RECOVERY saved my kid…and now I’m trying to help save yours," was Ed Aussem’s mantra for the past year as he passionately organized Road Recovery’s ‘Rock and Ride’. Aussem, along with Road Recovery supporters forming Team Road Recovery as part of the New York City Century Bike Tour, riding up to 100 miles each, throughout New York City and its four boroughs.

Riders on the move through the 4 boros of NY.

The Road Recovery ‘Rock and Ride’ Team-2009 consisted of nine dedicated cyclists who delivered on their commitment to ride all day, raising money and awareness for the New York based non-profit Road Recovery.
What made Team Road Recovery extra special this year was the inclusion of parents, some riding with their children, some traveling cross-country just to participate in the race, some overcoming their adversities/fears in racing through a cityscape, and those representing Road Recovery’s corporate support partners.

Members of Team Road Recovery are greeted by Jack Bookbinder(center)
at the Finish Line after completing their 100 mile ride!

Road Recovery set-up an information and product giveaway booth at the New York Century Bike Tour Finish Festival at Central Park’s Northern Rim to outreach to over 6,000 riders and their friends & family. Road Recovery’s co-founder Jack Bookbinder was joined by program participants and parents to man the booth and greet Team Road Recovery as they crossed the finish line.

Road Recovery’s giveaway booth staff (teen program
participants, staff, and parents) at the Rock and Ride Finish line.

Team Road Recovery:

Lisa Armstrong (Staff Supporter)
Ed Aussem (Parent)
Amanda Beyer (Program Participant)
David Beyer (Parent)
Gene Bowen (Road Recovery founder)
Todd Ketterman (L7 Technology Partners)
Dan O’Byrne (Parent)
Scott Schumaker (DeBartolo Family Foundation)
Wayne Sonnylal (L7 Technology Partners)

Thanks to all the ‘Rock and Ride’ supporters and generous donors
who made this fundraising event possible!

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