Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation Inc.

I've been a performing musician for over 30 years. I thought I'd lose my career during the pandemic. Being a recipient of the Fueling Musician Program grant helped me tremendously, not just by keeping me on my feet financially - it also gave me hope during an awful and scary time.

I cannot say enough good about this nonprofit. And they are STILL out there helping us keep the music on!

My husband and I are proud supporters of KTBA. This organization provides instruments and funding to schools which help keep music education alive all over the country. In school systems. often the arts and music are areas where funding gets cut. Please consider adding this foundation to your list for giving; they do great work!

I stumbled across KTBA as I learned of the "At Sea" events. I was fortunate to be on the KTBA IX and KTBA X Caribbean cruises and I AM HOOKED!! Not only are those events delightful & fulfilling in every way - the knowledge that my fare is helping real live music survive feels great.
Learning of the support for both musicians AND music education thru their e-mails ALWAYS makes me smile. And I'm hopeful that another aspiring Blues musician in SWFL will get recognized by KTBA - his name is Champ Jaxon and he's on Bandcamp & Spotify.

Supports music programs in schools, supports sick and needy musicians, and now is seeking to help rebuild after the LA fires. Great charity, I contribute small amounts regularly. Great job, Joe, thanks for all you do!
Support this charity please!

Awesome opportunity and timely with the assistance.

This organization helped me so much during a tough time! When I'm able, I'm looking forward to giving back through them.

Keeping the Blues Alive helped me in a dire time, when on the verge of reaching my dreams, they provided critical funding to ensure that it didn’t slip away. I’ve fought tooth and nail to make it as far as I have, and they believed in me and my story and goals enough to help change my life. I will forever be grateful to them!

The Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation provided me with financial support when I needed it due to medical reasons. I cant thank them enough for their assistance. As a professional drummer unable to perform for months after a surgery, I was able to pay my essential bills because of this foundation. Extremely grateful!

I happen to know a school that received wonderful items for their music program and how it made a difference. Thanks to Keeping the Blues Alive for all that you do! ������

I have been supporting this charity since they started because music is an essential part of a child and an adults life. They make sure those that love music can start or continue their art.

KTBA has made a huge impact on supplying schools and others with music equipment and financial support to keep the blues alive. I am proud to support this organization.

Children need support in education, however it can be done. Music ������ helps brains to work better. To support music education helps in multiple ways. ������

I am a lover of music and the arts. I am a firm believer in keeping music programs alive in the schools. In a world of budget cuts. There is nothing more important than helping kids find a creative outlet. Keeping The Blues Alive does just that!
Every week, Keeping The Blues Alive chooses a different school to donate resources, including instruments, sheet music, and recording equipment, that further the growth and impact of music education. Since our founding in 2011, we have donated over $600,000 in instruments, sheet music, supplies and more, enriching the lives of over 90,000 students and teachers across the country.

I had to get a surgery back in May and ended up having to cancel an entire tour to have the operation and then recover at home. It was a big loss of income and the Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation helped get me through that time. I'm very appreciative of the help and support!!

Excellent work for a good cause. I'm impressed by their professionalism at every level.

Hi I’m Rhys! I live in the UK and while I haven’t experienced from this organisation directly I can’t tell you why they’re important. Music learning, specifically blues guitar has changed my life. I started learning to play guitar 2 and a half years ago, at the time I was struggling with mental health illness, related to autism and school trauma, I stopped leaving the house, I stopped sleeping, I was 12 and I had given up. Blues music has given me a sense of purpose, discipline and determination, there is a feeling of community and shared knowledge. It is built in history and the stories of our blues family stretching back to the beginnings. I have learnt so much, met new friends, had wonderful experiences, and I have the confidence now to perform and begin to share my own stories. Music of all forms needs to taught, it needs to be in schools, it’s needs to be encouraged and it needs to be celebrated at all levels. It can be life changing. For me the blues is as much about preserving the history of an often overlooked group of people through a period of incredible change, and as a 14 year old blues guitarist I feel I have a responsibility to share my voice in celebrating this charity who do so much to support musicians and keep the blues alive for future generations

Music education funding has been cut back so much in the past 10 years, this helps kids find joy in music and art - nothing better!

Bravo! I love this organization! It’s inspiring and heartwarming to hear about all of the recipients, their stories/backgrounds, and their words of gratitude.

The mission and goal of this organization is absolutely worthy as giving a chance/opportunity in life can be crucial to the survival of many professionals in music; supporting schools can affect the life choice of youngsters; preserving the musical treasure and maintain it for younger generations is really a great cause. It is clear that this organization is making progress towards its goals that is demonstrated by the consistent and steadfast actions they have done so far. This impacts their progress and boosts confidence for anyone who appreciates and/or wishes to support for this charity before making final giving decision or probably wish to make long-term commitment to it. The most pleasant thing is that in the long-run perspective, the commitment to its mission as well as deeds and actions of this organization and overall input can hopefully trigger changes in policy-makers' and overall society's perception of the importance of more preserving cultural elements, sharing and raising awareness among future generations as well as ways it can be done. Very well done.

My husband and I donate to Keep the Blues Alive Foundation, Inc. for two reasons: 1) Both of our now adult children benefitted greatly from arts education, including music, and we're concerned music programs in schools are in jeopardy; and 2) We appreciate how this foundation pivoted in response to COVID by implementing their Fueling Musicians initiative, supporting professional musicians whose livelihoods abruptly disappeared with access to little/no financial safety nets. Musicians enrich our lives, often provide the soundtrack of significant events, and they need support until live performances resume to pre-COVID capacity.

This started as an altruistic notion from guitarist & bluesman Joe Bonamassa, and has since become successful in both providing instruments to schools, and helping out of work musicians following the COVID-19 pandemic, through his Fuelling Musicians programme. The team are cheerful and friendly, as well as very helpful. Can wait for the KTBA cruise in February 2022. A fantastic cause, and extremely well organised.

Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation is a wonderful organization dedicated to supporting career musicians through the good times and the bad. They quite literally helped me and my bandmate stay afloat through the worst of the pandemic, when we had all of our shows and tour plans get completely wiped out. Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation has been a huge support and a very positive and accessible resource for us as musicians. They are a stand up and stand out organization!

Keeping the Blues Alive kept me on my feet while all of my gigs were canceled..They have been a god send!!

Once upon a time, I traveled 70,000 miles a year and performed several hundred concerts annually, from the Everglades to the Arctic Circle. After seventeen months of unemployment, prolonged illness, surgeries, and the loss of my partner, 2021 was not without its challenges. I deeply indebted to the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation for their unwavering financial support during this pandemic and economic depression. Whatever the meaning of the word “lifesaver" may be, the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation is its best example, and perhaps its definition. I am filled with gratitude.

The uncertainty of the past year was taking a major toll on me. When I received the email from KTBA Foundation that said I was chosen for financial assistance I cried. I was introduced to KTBA by a very grateful bandmate who had previously been selected for assistance. As a touring musician and educator, I can't express enough how KTBA is helping to do just that. The future is bright when folks that truly care to make a difference do so and KTBA is doing it.

Like many musicians COVID-19 decimated my touring income. I pivoted to online events but still struggled. I heard about Keeping the Blues Alive and their Fueling Musicians program from a resource email blast.


I have applied to many programs these past few months. Keeping the Blues Alive is the only program that communicated clearly and in a timely manner and delivered on ALL promises. With other programs I felt like a fool wasting an hour completing a form only to see that there were only a small handful of grants available. No such nonsense exists with KTBA.

I am so thankful for all they do.

GREAT non-profit that is actually making a difference in musicians’ lives during this trying time!

Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation helped me immensely. I am a full-time working musician who has been unable to find consistent work since the beginning of the pandemic in the US & Europe, as venues have been closed and festivals have been canceled due to concerns about health and safety. KTBA responded quickly to my request for assistance, helping me to pay for essential expenses such as rent, groceries, and medication through their Fueling Musicians emergency relief program. Thank you for all you do to support our community, KTBA!

Forever grateful to the Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation's Fueling Musicians Program for their generous support in my time of need. It has made all the difference to have them as a resource. The process was incredibly straight forward, and the staff are kind, encouraging, and great communicators. During the duress of COVID and the struggles presented for musicians and the music industry, Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation's generosity has brought a good deal of peace of mind and hope back into my world. It has also put my band in a position to be ready to return to touring as soon as we're able to safely do so. Thank you to Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation and the Fueling Musicians Program for acknowledging how crucial music is to our world, and doing the work to support musicians through this incredibly difficult time. They are doing a fantastic job.

Amazing, this package really helped all the musicians going thru a difficult time or with jobs lost on pandemic. Thanks to KTBA Foundation for this awesome help! - Emmanuel

KTBA provided great assistance to me this year through the Fueling Musicians Program. My entire year of touring was cancelled in an instant and the grant they provided helped give me and my family a bit more peace of mind during a turbulent time. Thank you KTBA

Keeping The Blues Alive has helped me tremendously this year during the Covid-19 crisis. As a musician it was hard to find help. This organization reached out to the community and I am so grateful to this non profit for the support I've received from them!

I was fortunate to be the recipient one of the grants that the Foundation created to support touring musicians who faced cancellations due to the coronavirus. I'm grateful to the KBAF for pivoting, in the face of the pandemic, to meet 2020's shifting priorities. I was in the middle of a European tour when lockdown began; my remaining Spring tour dates were cancelled and, eventually, so were the rest of my 2020 concerts. To say that this grant was a godsend is not putting it strongly enough. Thanks to KBAF for keeping the music alive by helping to keep the musicians alive during these trying times!

Thank you to Keeping the Blues Alive for supporting musicians and music industry folks throughout this pandemic! You continue to do important and wonderful work!!!

Keeping the Blues Alive has been amazing. They have helped me(an independent musician) get through the pandemic by providing resources and connections to help look passed these last 6 months of not being able to tour. Whether it was through financial support, gas cards, or equipment... I feel like Keeping the Blues Alive is dedicated to helping the smaller musicians out there. Can't thank them enough.

-JR
The Bones of J.R. Jones

Keeping the Blues Alive was very helpful and timely when most needed.
Because it is run by musicians, they understand the special needs for musicians.
They were quick in responding and delivering the help that was needed in a human way.
Their staff was excellent.
KTBA Rocks! Five stars, and Thank You!

This is an awesome organization to help musicians and artist survive. I have benefited from the great deeds of this company

This foundation has helped me and other artists I know during this difficult time. They are always above board in their communications and delivering the aid to artists.

Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation blessed me beyond belief during the COVID-19 pandemic. They ensured that my vehicle had gas for a couple months and that I had money in my pocket for essentials and needs. They went above and beyond for myself and countless other musicians all over the country who have suffered greatly due to something that none of us could have ever imagined. They are amazing folks and truly love the musicians and do everything they can for us.

I am genuinely amazed by the enthusiasm the Fueling Musicians Program campaign has maintained its steam during the pandemic. Joe Bonamassa has said he is an impatient man, he is also relentless in his pursuit not only to keep the blues alive but also caring for his fellow musicians. Most people once they have attained success want more for themselves. He is successful but clearly remembers his meager beginnings and is eager to help others.

The KTBA also funds students in schools.
Please give what you can. 100% of proceeds go to their efforts.
If it is within your means there are annual cruises to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean through Norwegian Cruise Lines. They feature up and coming artists intermingled with established stars for four days of non stop concerts. It is a blast.

Music is an important part of most of our lives, students should be able to pursue music, song writers and musicians bring joy to our lives. Please help them all continue to be creative for themselves and for us.

Be safe and be good. Peace.
Savitri Hook

I am proud to be a part of Keeping the Blues Alive. I have been with them for a couple of years, and they have been a leader in helping musicians in our time of need. Thank you.

I participated in junior high and high school bands and they were the programs that gave me a life long love affair with music and made me a more complete person.
I understand how vital it is for developing minds to be exposed to the arts as well as the traditional educational programs, so I will continue to support this foundation and all the good work it does...
R. Scofield

This is a real-deal, great charity. Joe Bonamassa is a gifted musician who wants to see music education keep an important place in public schools. This charity is his way of having others with a similar vision have a way to donate money that will be spent wisely. I have personally seen the effects that a donation by the foundation had on a local school near my place of business. If you support music education, this is a great charity for you to support.

If you think this organization just donates to "other" towns and schools, just look at the newsletter and you may be surprised to see your own community has already benefitted from KTBA's musical instrument donations or event sponsorships. Personally I've been to a day long blues event they helped sponsor and I know of at least one local school that has received instruments. They put our money where it has an immediatate and lasting effect!

Keeping the Blues Alive generously supported our high school's request for money to help support our attendance at a festival in San Diego, CA, through Donorschoose.org. My students and I are extremely grateful for their support and love for music in the USA. -Joshua White, Music Director: Santa Cru Valley UHS, Eloy, AZ

I think Willie Dixon said it best..."That's the reason I always say about music, the blues are the roots and the other musics are the fruits. Without the roots, you have no fruits so it's better keeping the roots alive because it means better fruits from now on." Blues music is the history of the human experience in music...so (for me personally) keeping blues alive means to preserve a forum for valuable expression and insight.

Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation in my experience has been awesome! After posting a grant on donors choose for drumsticks and tambourines, their generous donation has helped me achieve the best lesson unit with my older students so far! The kids are thriving and it's all because of their wonderful donation.

Very pleasant interaction, honorable objective, gracious and appreciative recipient.

Blues music is the roots of virtually all American music. The Blues can be about good times as well as give solace and comfort in bad times. The Blues can be a part of anyone's life, it knows no boundaries. During the past sixty some years I have seen the popularity of the Blues rise and fall many times. Unfortunately the Blues never seems to get the radio airplay and exposure it deserves. Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation Inc. is a long overdue organization that not only gives the younger generation the tools and hopefully incites in them the desire to carry on this uniquely American musical art form and follow in the footsteps of the legends that have kept the Blues rolling along in good times and bad. The Blues is alive and well in spite of what some people think and Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation Inc. is doing it's best to keep it that way. Who knows maybe the next legendary Bluesman (or woman) will be the result of the work being done by Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation Inc.

KTBA is run by people who are truly passionate about furthering music education in schools. The foundation has made a positive impact on many lives.

I am a 5-12 band director in a rural district. We are short on funds, and I am short on some basic equipment. I posted a Donor's Choose Project worth about $800 hoping to get part of it funded. The Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation fully funded my project! I now have tuners, metronomes, guitar picks, and more to use in my classroom! I was and still humbled by the generosity of this fine organization.

I've witnessed the need for music education support from both sides (teacher and former contributor to Keeping the Blues Alive) and love the work Shawn and the team get done. Aside from their regular social media posts raising awareness to the general public, KTBA has accomplished some concrete objectives such as funding instrumental programs in many different areas of the country. Keep up the great work!

Keeping music in schools absolutely necessary for our youth. This is a great foundation.

This is an amazing focus and I feel they are impacting our future leaders. So much potential here. Love the direction and creative forces in this movement!

I am 63 and grew up in small rural schools where football was king and music barely existed. most kids had to rent their instruments. it touches me deeply to see these schools getting needed items for their programs. Keeping The Blues Alive is doing an excellent job of getting needed materials to schools in need. I have been a blues fan since I was little. I grew up in Mississippi listening to negro gospel out of ackerman in the morning and bluegrass in the evening. my "tataw" --granddaddy--played harmonica & banjo. love this organization. wish I could contribute more than I have.

Keeping the Blues Alive is such an important cause to me. Music education was everything to me growing up and it really influenced my positive attitude and outlook on life. As more funding is cut from schools and local areas to promote the arts, I hope KTBA can continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

What a wonderful charity!
My wife and I have been involved with KTBA for just a year now, and we cannot say enough great things about this charity & its founder Joe Bonamassa!
We strongly believe in music education and have seen the difference music makes in children's lives.
Our donations go directly to individual kids as well as kids in the classrooms in all 50 states . The KTBA.org website allows us to see students who have received scholarships and instruments on a weekly basis.
We have decided to get more involved with Keeping the Blues Alive and to help champion this cause in our area.
Keep up the great work!