PLANO, TEXAS (Recording Academy) - 7 UP, the official soft drink of the GRAMMYs and proud sponsor of the GRAMMY Foundation's Signature Schools program, is launching GRAMMY artist-designed cans to support music education in public schools. Six artists have created artistic renditions of the GRAMMY logo to appear on cans of 7 UP's most beloved flavors:
Michael McDonald for 7 UP, John Ondrasik for Diet 7 UP,
Wynonna for Cherry 7 UP,
Brian McKnight for Sunkist,
Dave Koz for Canada Dry Ginger Ale, and
Randy Travis for A & W Root Beer. For the artists' participation, 7 UP has made a donation in each of their names to the GRAMMY Signature Schools – a program that recognizes public high schools around the United States that have made an outstanding commitment to music education.
To kick off the launch of the 7 UP GRAMMY Musician Cans and raise additional money for the Signature Schools program, 7 UP is hosting a special eBay auction from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1. Signed memorabilia and one-of-a-kind experiences from the participating artists will be auctioned including a VIP Concert experience at John Ondrasik's and Five for Fighting's Dec. 16 concert with VIP concert seats, a 'meet & greet' with John, after-show passes, and a signed sheet of music.
Other auction items include a Gibson guitar hand-painted by Michael McDonald together with an autographed photo, a personalized answering machine message recorded by Wynonna, an official GRAMMY telecast jacket signed by Randy Travis, and much more.
'7 UP is proud to partner in a program that supports excellence in music,' said Carol Duncan, Director of Promotions, 7 UP, Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages. 'Through our 7 UP GRAMMY Musician Cans initiative, we're hoping to raise awareness of Signature Schools and help ensure that students throughout the country have strong music programs in their schools.'
'These six musicians have creatively and uniquely demonstrated that they are consummate artists, and, in so doing, they raise awareness of the positive effects that art and music have on young people,' said Recording Academy and GRAMMY Foundation President Neil Portnow. 'We are grateful to our artist community for their commitment to keep music in the schools, and we thank our terrific partner, 7 UP, for its continued support of GRAMMY Signature Schools and music education.'
7 UP GRAMMY Musician Cans will be available wherever 7 UP products are sold. For more information about the GRAMMY Signature Schools program or to apply for consideration as a 2005 GRAMMY Signature School, please visit www.GRAMMYFoundation.com. Applications must be completed and submitted online by Nov. 12, 2004.