• July 9, 2003

More than $2.4 million in corporate pledges and donations and online auctions have been raised by the VH1 Save the Music Foundation to help restore school music programs. The money was raised during VH1 Save the Music Week on CBS' The Early Show. More than 1,000 musical instruments have also been donated and contributions are still coming in, officials said. The week featured special segments with Mariah Carey, Uncle Kracker, Smash Mouth, Monica, Jimmy Jim, Boyd Tinsley of the Dave Matthews Band and Heather Headley. Each donated an instrument and discussed how music education impacted their lives. During he broadcasts, representatives from Steinway & Sons, American Express, Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises, ASCAP Foundation, Conn-Selmer Co. and Time Warner Cable of New York and New Jersey made on-air pledges. This nationwide instrument drive supports VH1 Save The Music's core mission of providing musical instruments to restore music education programs in public schools throughout the U.S. VH1 Save The Music will actively restore public school music education programs in 31 cities in 2003. Students in schools throughout the U.S. will benefit from the funds and instruments donated during this initiative.