Kids See Stars is building a growing network of friends making a difference in the lives of children. This community of friends is comprised of generous music fans, musicians, volunteers, support organizations, commercial businesses, and of course, the children.
The Fans
What could possibly make more sense than music fans working together to enrich the lives of children through music? That is exactly what music fans set out to do in 2008. Fans have donated their time, money, and musical equipment to children in the Chicago area. The support base continues to grow as the word is getting out and we hope to expand our efforts with this growing community of friends.
Guitar Center
 Guitar Center is the largest chain of musical instrument retailers in the world with 214 locations throughout the United States. Its headquarters are in Westlake Village, California.
We have visited a number of Guitar Center stores in the Chicago area and in Indiana. We are always greeted by friendly staff ready to support Kids See Stars. Last year they helped us out with a beautiful acoustic guitar and a really awesome bass guitar. We are pleased and excited to have this generous company as a KSS friend.
To learn more visit, Guitarcenter.com.
Jen Porter
Jen Porter, born and raised in Chicago, has been playing piano and singing ever since her parents put her in lessons at age five. With straightforward lyrics that relate universally and music that flows from one song to the next, Jen has the ability to captivate any audience. Her Lyrics speak of life's love and lifting ourselves up when things don't go just right. With a voice that reaches out and grabs you and a style that's captivating and melodic, you won't soon forget her.
When KSS approached Jen Porter with regards to a donation, she was more than ready to help out. Within days of our initial contact Jen had offered to donate the proceeds of her Christmas CD “Jen Porter Plays A Little Christmas Music”. What an incredible gift she is giving. KSS thanks Jen from the bottom of our hearts.
Visit Jenporter.com to learn more about this incredible performer and hear some samples of her music.
Holding Mercury
 Holding Mercury is an exciting, up and coming rock band with its roots firmly grounded
in the Chicago music scene. Their fan base is expanding nationally as word and the sounds of their newest album, Downfall of an Empire, travels. HM has been spun frequently on huge alt station Q101, featured in the Chicago Tribune, and named one of the "Top 100 Unsigned Bands" by Music Connection Magazine in 2008 and 2009. Holding Mercury explains their sound with the tag line, “The Police chasing The Killers in getaway Cars.”
When Kids See Stars approached the band to ask if they had any equipment to donate, Jason Batchko, HM drummer, jumped right on board. We would like to thank Jason and Holding Mercury for their generous donation of an acoustic- electric guitar and snare drum. It is this type of generosity that will ultimately keep music alive and thriving in the magic city of Chicago. We feel fortunate to have Holding Mercury as one of our KSS friends! You can learn more about Holding Mercury at Holdingmercury.com.
D'Addario
 D'Addario are manufacturers of fine strings for guitars, basses, banjos, mandolins, and countless other lesser known stringed instruments. D’Addario’s unbounded success is due in part to its worldwide distribution and dealer networks. The company markets its products in the United States through wholesale distributors and over 5,400 retail music stores. In addition, the export markets are handled by 120 distributors in 101 countries.
We are excited that D’Addario Strings has joined our Friends of KSS and want to thank them for their very generous donation of guitar strings and polish, tuners, humidifiers and lanyards.
To learn more about D’Addario visit their website at D’Addario.com.
Sam Ash Music
Sam Ash Music is known as “The World’s Favorite Music Store”. There are currently 45 Sam Ash Musical Instrument Megastores, as well as SamAsh.com, a successful mail order division. Sam Ash Music prides themselves on offering musicians the best possible service, selection and prices on top name music and sound gear.
KSS is happy to add Sam Ash Music to our list of friends! Sam Ash quickly responded to our request and sent out a Gift Card towards our cause. Our sincerest thanks to Sam Ash Music for their support.
Lovehammer Store
 It all started with a madly talented tall, skinny singer we saw on TV. We learned he had his own band named Lovehammers based in Chicago. A close family of fans was born and last year Kids See Stars was launched by this family of fans.
We are really pleased and excited to add the Lovehammers Store to our family of friends. The Lovehammer Store was created by the band and operated by some dedicated fans. This year the Lovehammer Store donated merchandise to the 8 boys at LaCasita House. We are so appreciative of the generosity and know the boys will love the LH water bottles!! Thank you.
Be sure to check out this very talented band at Lovehammers.com and their great band merchandise at Lhstore.com.
BBE Photography
 BBE Photography is owned by Nancy Mantick, also one of our KSS team. Nancy brings all that she’s seen and done in her life to her photography—the intense visual focus and intuitive eye for composition of a floral and landscape designer, the emotions and soul of a poet and musician, and the analytical mind of a scientist.
In addition to her time as a KSS team member, Nancy has also donated her photography services to KSS. We are so lucky to have such a talented photographer on our team and truly appreciate her time and effort to capture the light of KSS events to share with everyone.
To learn more, visit BBE Photography's official Site.
Rock For Kids
 Rock For Kids is a non-profit organization that provides support, hope, inspiration and assistance to underserved children and teens. Realizing that music can be a positive motivator in a young person's life, Rock For Kids provides free year-round music education for children in need.
Rock For Kids positively impacts and celebrates young lives by offering children access to safe and constructive learning experiences with which to challenge themselves, build self-esteem and explore their own creative potential.
RFK was instrumental in making KSS a success in 2008. Maria and Erin of RFK spent many hours in conference calls giving the KSS team tips and ideas on running a fund-raising campaign. They also helped select the recipient organization for the guitars and equipment. RFK was the recipient of the monetary donations to provide music lesson to children.
To learn more visit, Rock for Kids Official Website.
The Association House
 Association House was established in 1899 to serve as a community resource to help families help themselves. Association House programs have adapted with each changing era to meet the current community needs, focusing on a core mission to offer services to economically disadvantaged individuals and families.
Association House has been a trusted community ally, anchoring communities in distress for more than 100 years. The House touches the lives of thousands of people each year, of all ages and of diverse ethnicities, one life at a time.
In 2008, the Association House was the recipient of the KSS fund-raiser and received 4 guitars, amps, and many other pieces of equipment to support their after-school rock and roll program.
This year we are teaming with the Association House in support of the Magic of Music program. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to work with their dedicated staff. They truly care about the well being and the spirit of the children and are doing a great job.
To learn more visit, The Association House of Chicago's official website.
Rock N' Roll Vintage
 Rock N' Roll Vintage is a retail vintage guitar dealer located in Chicago, Illinois. They also run an internet mail order business and guitar and amp repair shop. Their team has over 35 years of experience buying and selling vintage guitars and amps.
KSS visited this great store last year and were privileged to meet the co-owner, Heith. We told him about Kids See Stars and asked if he could donate anything. This very generous and kind man donated two electric guitars and two amps! Wow!!! If you are ever in the Lincoln Park area, drop by and say hello. The store is amazing, and so are the owners!
To learn more visit, Rock N' Roll Vintage Chicago's official site.
Dr. Fretgood
At Dr. Fretgood guitar repair shop the doctor is never too busy to LISTEN in detail to what’s ailing you. So maybe it’s not an emergency…but even if your guitar, bass or amp just needs a little set-up to eliminate buzz, lower the action to improve playability, or a proper restring that compliments your instrument’s design and construction, it pays to seek professional work.
In 2008, we strolled into Dr. Fretgood for the first time to find a cool little shop with two guys working. Their motto of never being too busy to listen turned out to be true, and they listened carefully as we told them about KSS. We walked out with a donation of several sets of guitar strings. This may be a small shop, but they have a very big heart!
To learn more visit, Dr. Fretgood's official site.
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