New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Salvation Army) It's time to get those bells rocking and ringing this holiday season during the fifth annual Rock the Red Kettle concert hosted by The Salvation Army and produced by Ned Specktor of Specktor Media. This year's free concert, which will take place on December 6 at 5 p.m. PST at L.A. LIVE in Downtown Los Angeles, will also be streamed live on RedKettleReason.org. Taking the stage at L.A. LIVE are some of music's rising stars including headliners
Shawn Mendes and Becky G.
This year, The Salvation Army is encouraging its supporters to share their motivations for giving using the hashtag #RedKettleReason, whether it is to help families in need or to ensure that all kids have a safe place to sleep. This year's Rock the Red Kettle performers will participate by sharing their own #RedKettleReasons throughout the holiday season and inviting their fans to do the same. Fans can also win awesome prizes for sharing #RedKettleReasons in the weeks before the concert. The Army is partnering with Teen Vogue to give fans the chance to enter to win a retweet from their favorite performers, a trip to L.A. to attend the concert or even the chance to meet some of the artists before the show. For more information, visit teenvogue.com/redkettlereason.
"Growing up, my family struggled to make ends meet, so I know how important organizations like The Salvation Army are for families to lean on in times of need," said Becky G. "I want my fans to understand that what you put into the universe is what you get back. Giving back is the right thing to do, whether it's donating clothing or even just a smile to someone who needs it. I am honored to be performing to help raise awareness, and I'm excited to see the other #RedKettleReasons from my fans."
"I've been really inspired by the work The Salvation Army does to help kids who need a safe place to sleep, a meal and a place to hang out after school," said Shawn Mendes. "I hope my fans will help me give back this season and will also help spread the spirit of giving by posting their own #RedKettleReasons."
In addition to
Shawn Mendes and Becky G, this year's concert will feature other up-and-coming artists including Bea Miller, R5, Josh Levi and Exist Elsewhere. All of this year's artists will be sharing their #RedKettleReasons throughout the season and calling on fans to do the same.
"I grow more amazed each year at the talented young artists who perform and connect to The Salvation Army during the Rock the Red Kettle concert," said Lt. Col. Ron Busroe, community relations and development secretary for The Salvation Army. "Young people have such passion for causes that make a difference, and we hope to open their eyes to everything that The Salvation Army does each year for the people who need it most."
"We are excited to welcome Rock the Red Kettle back to L.A. LIVE and host a night of free entertainment for our guests while raising awareness for a great cause," said Lee Zeidman, president of L.A. LIVE. "Partnering with The Salvation Army is always something we look forward to, as well as hosting a night that will not only benefit the community of Los Angeles, but all those who benefit from the Red Kettle Campaign."
Rock the Red Kettle will raise awareness of The Salvation Army's 124th annual Red Kettle Campaign, the oldest charitable fundraiser of its kind in the United States. Money raised during the campaign helps the Army serve nearly 30 million of America's most vulnerable through an array of social services including food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless and toys for children.
"The Red Kettles go hand in hand with the holiday season, but it is important that we all take a step back and reflect on the true purpose of The Salvation Army," said Ned Specktor, the show's producer. "Rock the Red Kettle is a chance for fans to learn about all the good this organization does, like providing nearly 60 million meals and 10 million nights of shelter each year. At this concert, the fans see the campaign come to life through their favorite artists. It's really impactful to see young people come together in this way."
The concert will be streamed live on RedKettleReason.org so young philanthropists across the country can join in on the fun. In addition to giving online or to the more than 25,000 bell ringers found on street corners and retail entrances across the country, supporters can donate through the Army's text-to-give program. By texting the word "KETTLE" to 80888, donors can send $10 to the Red Kettle Campaign through December 24.
From its humble beginnings as a San Francisco donation collection by Salvation Army
Captain Joseph McFee in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States. It provides toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and countless social service programs year-round.
To learn more about the event and get tickets, visit redkettletickets.com.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to salvationarmyusa.org.
About Shawn Mendes
Sixteen-year-old singer-songwriter and viral video sensation
Shawn Mendes launched his music career when he started posting covers on Vine. Less than a year after his first video, AG Artists' Andrew Gertler discovered Mendes' YouTube cover of the song "Say Something," which led to the young singer signing with Island Records. Mendes released his first single, "Life of the Party," on June 26, 2014, and it became the number one song on iTunes in both the U.S. and Canada within one hour, selling over 100,000 copies in its first day. Shawn became the youngest artist to break the Top 25 on Billboard Hot 100 with his first chart entry. He won a Teen Choice Award as Choice Web Star in
Music this year and was recently named a featured artist in
Radio Disney's "N.B.T." (Next Big Thing) music showcase. After the immense success of his EP release, Shawn plans to head back into the studio to record a full-length debut album. Shawn just released his latest single, "Something Big," in early November, and also recently announced that he will be touring with
Taylor Swift in 2015.
About Becky G
Becky G, singer, songwriter, and rapper, signed to Kemosabe, the Sony
Music Entertainment record label founded by hitmaker Dr. Luke, and RCA Records in 2012. Luke signed Becky after viewing a YouTube clip of her swaggering her way through an original rap set to "Otis" from
Jay-Z and Kanye West's album, Watch The Throne. Born and raised in the Inglewood section of Los Angeles, Becky's family hails from Mexico, and she is bilingual. Becky recently wrapped the "MTV Artist To Watch" tour with Austin Mahone. She was also named
Radio Disney's "N.B.T." (Next Big Thing) artist. Becky is also a COVERGIRL® who has appeared in national TV and print advertising for the brand. Last summer, she released her Play It Again EP, executive produced by Dr. Luke and featuring production by The Cataracs and songwriting by Pitbull, and will.i.am. Becky is currently on tour with Jason Derulo, and her latest single, "Can't Stop Dancin'," was released in early November.
About R5
Pop-rock quintet R5 took a major step toward world domination with the international release of debut album LOUDER, which rocketed to No. 1 on iTunes in 10 countries. Over the course of the past few years, the Los Angeles-based band has been playing to packed-house crowds around the globe, wowing audiences from the U.S. to Australia and everywhere in between with their electrifying live show. The band is currently touring in support of new EP,
Heart Made Up On You, which hit No. 2 on the iTunes Pop Chart and gearing up for the 2015 release of their much-anticipated sophomore album. Led by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Ross Lynch, named Teen Choice and Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Favorite TV actor, star of the Disney Channel's Austin & Ally and the films Teen Beach Movie and its upcoming sequel, R5 came together in 2009 and is composed of Lynch's siblings Riker (bass/vocals), Rocky (lead guitar/vocals) and Rydel (keyboard/vocals) and friend Ellington "Ratliff" (drums/vocals). R5 has rapidly emerged as an exciting new voice in the world of pop rock.
About Josh Levi
Josh Levi is a singer, songwriter, dancer, actor, and native Houstonian. He is most known for becoming a top finalist on the most recent season of The X Factor USA, and his two-season run as
Darius Merriweather on NBC's Friday Night Lights. To keep his music career on the fast track, Josh Levi began training vocally and working on music covers and original music with production duo The Invaders. He permanently relocated to Los Angeles in 2013, immediately demanding the attention of some of L.A.'s top producers - Glory and Drew Scott. He competed in season 3 of the reality television competition The X Factor, where talent show judge extraordinaire
Simon Cowell said about Josh, "We might just be looking at the next big star." Finishing his run on The X Factor with rave reviews, Josh has been touring internationally and continues to pursue his career with a newfound fan base, LeviNation, working to be the triple-threat star his fans expect him to be.
About Bea Miller
With her hit single, "Young Blood," rocketing up the Top 40 charts,
Bea Miller is quickly making a name for herself in pop music. The L.A.-based/New Jersey-born artist was a top finalist on the second season of The X-Factor. Bea made a lasting impression on one of the judges, Demi Lovato, who recently had Bea join her on a handful of dates during her world tour. Bea's debut EP, Young Blood, full of sharp-edged pop songs, showcases both her gravelly-beyond-her-years but gorgeously powerful vocals and her moody intensity and fiery rock-and-roll spirit. With her full-length debut due in 2015, Bea aims to keep instilling her songs with a high level of honesty, something she considers key to creating music that's vital.
