My first job in the entertainment industry was as a stagehand, helping produce concerts at UNC, my alma mater. I was hooked after my first show.
One of my earliest experiences was working on an Alice Cooper show. Building a gallows, and then watching one of the best known rock stars of the day (remember “School’s Out “) “hang” himself was pretty heady stuff for an 18 year old in 1970.
Who would have thought that 37 years later Cooper would have become a dedicated Christian and a key player making a real difference in the lives of troubled teenagers. Cooper and Chuck Savale have begun the Solid Rock Foundation, a not-for-profit Christian-based sactuary for kids in Phoenix, AZ.
As part of the process for raising over $7 millions dollors for the Foundation, Cooper is involved in producing concerts as as a fund rasing effort. In addition to supporting their capital campaign, the concerts provide an opportunity to teach real world job skills to kids who might well go on to work in the entertainment industry.
I have written before about the lack of interest among young people in pursuing career opportunites in concert production. It is an industry that is graying quickly and it’s good to see such noble efforts to create a new source for technicians.
This effort has garnered lots of support from major equipment manufacturers and local Arizona venues. They will help equip the Foundation’s center to be built on donated land at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Solid Rock Foundation, click here.
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