Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

Last year marked non-profit organization Road Recovery’s tenth anniversary, and as is fitting for a music-based organization, they put on a benefit concert at The Nokia Theater in New York’s Times Square.  Under the direction of founders, Jack Bookbinder, Gene Bowen, and artist manger Margaret Kramer (Muscle Tone Records) artists such as Slash (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Perry Farrell (Jane’s Addiction), Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), comedian - Denis Leary, Joseph Arthur, Sen Dog (Cypress Hill), Jakob Dylan (The Wallflowers), Ours/Jimmy Gnecco, and Miggs, Together with all the rockers…and Crazy James and kids from Road Recovery’s programs they blew the roof off! The show was an amazing success and the artists were able to get the word out to young people about their support of Road Recovery and that you can be wild and crazy and have a great time --- all within a healthy context.  

Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

>> VIEW A FULL SLIDESHOW OF PHOTOS FROM ROAD RECOVERY's 2009 BENEFIT CONCERT Honoring Wayne Kramer HERE!!!! <<

The response was so positive that the artists demanded a repeat show the following year in order to raise awareness about (and funds for) the unique and life saving Road Recovery’s programs. They decided that with the 2009 benefit, they would initiate ROAD RECOVERY Honors, a new award that will be given annually to an individual who shares its vision of giving back through action and service to those in need. This award will afford its honoree the opportunity to select any U.S. organization he or she wishes to help, and together with Road Recovery, create and participate in an outreach event that positively impacts its constituents. Enter the resilient guitarist, composer, and producer Wayne Kramer, who received the inaugural award at the event. Wayne, and his manager Margaret Kramer, had been long-time Road Recovery supporters and he was an obvious choice for the award, having suffered through decades of drug addiction and a federal prison term. He agreed to accept the award with the condition that he and Road Recovery create a program in a New York State maximum security correctional facility – Sing Sing prison, for a population he felt was deeply in need of help and Road Recovery’s message of hope.

(L-R) Wayne Kramer, Iggy Pop, Don Was
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

“Just do what I do when things get tough, tell yourself, I’m a champion and then act that way. Road Recovery feels good!!” – Iggy Pop, The Stooges

On Friday May 1, 2009, artists Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine/ Audioslave / The Nightwatchman), Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Don Was, Billy Bragg, IGGY POP, Evan Seinfeld, Boots Riley, Gilby Clarke (Guns 'N' Roses), Carl Restivo, Eric Gardner, Juliette Lewis, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Little Steven (Bruce Springsteen and the E. Street Band), Joan As Police Woman, Ours, Miggs, Middle Class Rut,  and  Road Recovery's Performance Workshop Program “House Band” Crazy James and Emcees: Matt Pinfield & Leslie Fram from New York’s Rock Experience 101.9 RXP Radio delivered a riveting show to a sold out Nokia Theater crowd.  At the end of the benefit concert, Road Recovery Executive Board Member and Benefit Sponsor Tiffanie DeBartolo (Bright Antenna Records), together with Margaret Kramer presented Wayne Kramer with the keys to Sing Sing Correctional Facility and the honor of the night.  The show was going to Sing Sing.  The following day, a group of the artists who had performed the night before boarded a bus and traveled to Ossining, NY to play a historic show at Sing Sing Prison in order to carry out Mr. Kramer’s vision.

Wayne Kramer - onstage- May 1st proudly shows off his personalized keys to
Sing Sing Correctional Facility to a SOLD OUT crowd at the Nokia Theater- Time Square New York City!
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

At Sing Sing Prison, Mr. Kramer addressed inmates who suffer from addictive disorders and mental illness and were in special programs aimed at treating those issues.  His goal was not only to instill a sense of hope in them, but also to help educate the inmates about how to increase their chances of succeeding on the outside.  Mr. Kramer opened the program with a 30 minute discussion detailing his own experiences as a musician in the 60’s, his decline into drug addiction, a subsequent federal prison term, the difficulties he faced upon release and his journey into recovery marked by his involvement in 12-step support groups.   He ended with a Q & A with the inmates who were deeply engaged and asked pointed, relevant and clinical questions. 

photo from: Comtesse DeSpair's Flikr.com

Wayne Kramer interacts with Sing Sing Correctional Facility inmates
Photo Credit: Tracy Ketcher

Following Mr. Kramer’s remarkably engaging and clinically pointed presentation it was time for the music.  Billy Bragg opened the program with “Redemption Song”  followed by “I Keep Faith” and from the first few bars it was clear that the inmates were totally engaged.  Following Bragg’s performance, it was Perry Farrell (Jane‘s Addiction), Etty Lau Farrell (Satellite Party), Tom Morello (Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine), Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Don Was (Was (Not Was)), Handsome Dick Manitoba (The Dictators), Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses), and Boots Riley (The Coup). who performed song after intense song (Pink Floyd’s – Wish You Were Here, T. Rex – Jailbreak, MC5’s Kick Out The Jams, and The Who’s We Won’t Get Fooled Again) among others that had the inmates up and dancing, arms waving in the air, clearly connecting with the vibe of the moment.  Perry Ferrell declared in to the microphone, “This is the coolest concert I have ever been to in my whole life!”

ROCKin' the "BIG HOUSE !! photo credit: Tracy Ketcher

>> VIEW A FULL SLIDESHOW OF PHOTOS FROM MAY 2nd at
SING SING CORRECTIONAL FACILITY HERE!! <<

After the show the inmates got to mingle with the artists and the clinical support team and a really positive feeling filled the room.  A corrections officer who had been working there for 20+ years declared it the most amazing program he had ever seen at Sing Sing.  Sing Sing Correctional Facility, The New York State Department Of Correctional Services (NYDOCS) and Road Recovery should be commended for their support of this meaningful program that not only gives inmates a sense of hope about their future, but is clinically relevant and meaningful as a tool that addresses addiction and mental illness that is rampant throughout our nations prisons.  

Dr. Lesley Malin, Assistant Deputy Superintendent,
Sing Sing Correctional Facility with her hero, Billy Bragg “in the yard”.
photo credit: Tracy Ketcher

“Please accept a heartfelt thanks to Road Recovery from all the staff and inmates of Sing Sing Correctional Facility.  The outreach program at our facility was one of the best events we have ever had.  Wayne Kramer, Tom Morello, Billy Bragg, and the other artists' candor with the inmates was very inspirational.  The amazing, full electric musical performance rocked "The Big House"!  It was clear to us that the musicians were enjoying themselves as much as the audience.  The program has been the talk of the prison since!  All the artists were so gracious and accommodating, even signing autographs and speaking to the inmates individually after the performance.   Music proved to be a powerful, therapeutic tool that touched the hearts and minds of all who were present that day.   We were transported from behind the prison walls by an experience we will never forget.  We can not thank Road Recovery enough for taking the time and effort to visit us at Sing Sing. - Warm Regards.” -  Dr. Lesley Malin, Assistant Deputy Superintendent, Sing Sing Correctional Facility

Road Recovery Staff, Sing Sing Correctional Facility Staff,
Wayne Kramer and friends on the front steps of Sing Sing Correctional Facility
photo credit: Tracy Ketcher

Road Recovery’s 2009 Benefit Honoring the Resilient Wayne Kramer became a reality thanks to the efforts of many people, including… Billy Bragg, Jerry Cantrell, Gilby Clarke, Etty Lau Farrell, Perry Farrell, Leslie Fram / 101.9 RXP Radio, Eric Gardner, Dave Gibbs, Wayne Kramer, Juliette Lewis, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Don Miggs, Tom Morello, Matt Pinfield / 101.9 RXP Radio, Iggy Pop, Carl Restivo, Boots Riley, Evan Seinfeld, Little Steven Van Zandt, Don Was, Crazy James, Middle Class Rut, Ours, Jimmy Webb, The DeBartolo Family Foundation & their supporters Edward & Candy DeBartolo, Tiffanie DeBartolo, Lisa DeBartolo, Niki DeBartolo, Bright Antenna Records Scott Schumaker, Road Recovery’s Executive Board, Road Recovery’s independent clinician, Ilya Mandel, M.A., L.M.S.W., C.A.S.A.C. Road Recovery Performance Workshops Program Staff, Steve Martin & The Agency Group, Padilla Speer & Beardsley Public Relations, Dworkin & CO Artist Managers - Margaret Kramer, Susan Silver, Peter Jenner, Rick Clair, Brian Winton, Mark Mercado The Nokia Theatre staff & AEG Live, Mary Guibert & Jeff Buckley Music James Walsh, Sheldon Steiger, Jeremy Sklarsky & Major Who Media, Road Recovery parents & volunteers, The Village Voice, Fuze Beverages, Let’s Have An Affair, Laurence Kern, Rick Mullen, Catering – Susan Dworkin & Staff, Boulevard Pro, DreamHire, Gibson guitars, Dr. Scott Bienenfeld, Condomcents – Alec Gold, Backstreet International Merchandise, A to Z Media, Rachel Berlin, Tatsiana Bookbinder, Julia Mandelbaum, UC Limited – Una Cote, Ready To Roll Limo, TNT Transportation,  Roman - Snakejam Productions, L7 Technology Partners, Partnership For A Drug Free America, Jewish Board For Family & Children Services, Graham Windham Services, Caron Treatment Centers, Sing Sing Correctional Facility: Acting Superintendent Dawson Brown, Assistant Deputy Superintendent for Programs Lesley Malin, Lieutenant Ed Doyle, Deputy Superintendent for Security William Lee, Sgt. Alphonso (Al) Orrico, Corrections Officer Leon Strand, Corrections Officer Allen Haskins, Corrections Officer Anthony Ramsey, Corrections Officer Gina Sheba, Corrections Officer Salvatore Gregory, Corrections Officer Todd Marlowe, Corrections Officer Brian Rodgers, Education Supervisor Olga Marchese, Recreation Programs Leader John Palmiotto, Recreation Programs Leader Richard Karlson, Maintenance Supervisor Paul Lopes

Resilient Musician - Wayne Kramer First Recipient of Road Recovery Honors

New York, NY - April 30, 2009 - Road Recovery, a nationally recognized nonprofit music-based mentoring organization, is proud to announce the establishment of Road Recovery Honors, a new award given annually to an individual who shares its vision of giving back through action and service to those in need. This award affords its honoree the opportunity to select any U.S. organization and, together with Road Recovery, create and participate in an outreach event that positively impacts its constituents.
MC5's Wayne Kramer, the resilient guitarist, composer and producer, will receive the inaugural honor during Road Recovery's benefit concert at the Nokia Times Square Theater on Friday, May 1.

As part of his award, Kramer selected Sing Sing prison in Ossining, New York and will, with Road Recovery, produce a program at the correctional facility on Saturday, May 2.

The Sing Sing event will include an interactive discussion between approximately 100 inmates and Kramer about his life before, during and after his own incarceration. The program will be followed by a full electric performance by Kramer and friends, including Billy Bragg, Perry Farrell (Jane‘s Addiction), Etty Lau Farrell (Satellite Party), Tom Morello (Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine), Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Don Was (Was (Not Was)), Handsome Dick Manitoba (The Dictators), Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses), Boots Riley (The Coup) and others.

Wayne Kramer - Honoree!

"We are pleased to welcome Road Recovery and look forward to supporting their effort in honoring musician Wayne Kramer, whose dream is to give back to the inmates of Sing Sing Correctional Facility via his message of hope and live concert," says Sing Sing Correctional Facility's Executive Team.

For the Road Recovery Benefit Concert taking place prior to the Sing Sing event, Kramer's guitar solos of "psychedelic heights" (New York Times) will be shaking up the audience during an evening of high-energy rock and roll that he promises will be "just loose enough musically that anything might happen." Joining Kramer will be Iggy Pop, Carl Restivo (Satellite Party), Eric Gardner (Streetsweeper), Evan Seinfeld (Biohazard) and Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick), as well as Morello, Farrell, Cantrell, Was, Bragg, Riley, Clarke, and Manitoba, all performing songs together and individually from their respective catalogs, as well as collaborating on MC5 songs.

Also joining the Benefit Concert will be Joan As Police Woman, Ours, Miggs, Middle Class Rut and Road Recovery's Performance Workshops Program "House Band" Crazy James.

General admission tickets for the 8:00 p.m. May 1st benefit are $25 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000, or through the Nokia Times Square Theatre Box Office. VIP Passes with Artist Meet & Greet are priced at $500 ($400 of this total is a tax-deductible donation). The Nokia Theater Times Square is located at 44th Street and Broadway in New York City.