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Photo ID (L to R): Gabriel Pellicer, Henry Hart, War Hippies’ Scooter Brown and Donnie Reis, Tim Forson and Emily Harrison
Photo Credit Melissa Marcarelli
AUGUSTINE, Fla. (October 4, 2023) – Country music sensation War Hippies, in collaboration with Sing Out Loud Festival and Sweetwater, created a major buzz at the first-ever Francis Field Showcase in downtown St. Augustine, Florida on September 22 and 23 with the launch of their philanthropic initiative, ‘War Hippies Gives.’ Together, they raised an impressive $70,000, which was generously donated to support the St. Johns County School District’s Music Education program.
The driving mission behind ‘War Hippies Gives’ is to ensure that children have access to stringed instruments and receive high-quality music education. This initiative couldn’t have come at a more crucial time, as the St. Johns County School District has witnessed a 45% increase in demand for musical instruments in K-12 music education programs over the past decade.
Adding to the urgency of the situation, Florida’s per-pupil expenditure on education has consistently ranked in the lowest 20%, placing it at 43-45 out of the 50 states. The partnership between War Hippies, Sing Out Loud Festival, and Sweetwater is not only making a difference in the lives of young musicians but also addressing a pressing need within the St. Johns County School District’s educational landscape.
This outstanding event featured an incredible lineup that included renowned acts such as The Black Keys, Mumford & Sons, Maggie Rogers, Lord Huron, Elle King, Amos Lee, S.G. Goodman, and, of course, War Hippies. Drawing in a staggering crowd of over 32,000 music enthusiasts from all corners of the United States, the festival’s success was undeniable.
The festival’s reach extended far beyond Florida, attracting attendees from South Florida, North and South Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, and various other regions, highlighting the festival’s broad appeal and significant impact. Notably, this showcase served as a standout moment within the month-long Sing Out Loud Festival, strategically held in September. Historically, September witnesses a dip in tourism for St. Johns County, with lodging occupancy often falling below 60% compared to peak months. By hosting the festival during this time, a deliberate effort was made to invigorate the local economy and foster vibrant community engagement.
About War Hippies
In 2022, War Hippies, the country music duo and lifestyle brand co-founded by Scooter Brown and Donnie Reis, burst onto the music scene. Their authentic songwriting and electrifying live performances quickly garnered widespread critical acclaim. Before teaming up, Scooter Brown had already earned numerous industry accolades including a No. One cut “Sent Me You” performed by Josh Ward, he won Male Vocalist of the Year at the 3rd Annual Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards and extensively toured with iconic artists such as Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt, the Marshall Tucker Band and Whiskey Myers. Meanwhile, world-renowned violinist, writer, and producer, Donnie Reis, has contributed to over 14 Billboard Top 10’s, including two #1 songs on three #1 records. He also has an extensive touring history both stateside and overseas including four MWR tours entertaining our troops. On October 14 of that year, War Hippies unleashed their self-titled debut album during The Can’t Miss Tour, where they provided support for Chris Janson and Travis Tritt. The album made an immediate impact, debuting at No. 8 on the iTunes Country Chart and reaching No. 30 across all genres in its first week. To date, it has amassed over 2 million streams. Their track “Make It Out Alive” from the album earned a coveted spot on American Songwriter’s prestigious Top 24 Songs of 2022 list. Another album cut, “The Hangman,” gained significant traction and its official music video received a Silver Telly Award for Craft Video & Cinematography. In addition to their musical pursuits, Brown and Reis are U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army combat veterans, respectively and the duo remains committed to supporting fellow veterans and military families through advocacy work, fundraising, and helping children secure access to musical instruments. War Hippies are on track to perform 80-120 live concerts by the end of 2023. Their tour schedule includes supporting Travis Tritt, headlining performances, and music festivals across the country. They’ve also recently received a sponsorship endorsement from Harley-Davidson and have been performing at rallies and participating in rides across the US. Furthermore, the duo is currently in the studio producing new music while also creating new video content and working on other highly anticipated projects. Visit WarHippies.com for more information.
About Sing Out Loud Festival
Sing Out Loud Festival is the annual, epic celebration of live music in historic St. Augustine, Florida. Since 2016, Sing Out Loud has featured more than 1,400 national, regional, and local musicians, and welcomed more than 300,000 live music enthusiasts. The festival features ticketed concerts, free showcases, artist development workshops, and specialty programming like the St. Augustine Songwriters Festival, Lincolnville Porch Fest, and more. In September 2023, Sing Out Loud Festival introduced the first-ever Francis Field Showcase with a two-day event in downtown St. Augustine featuring The Black Keys, Mumford & Sons, Maggie Rogers Lord Huron, and more. SingOutLoudFestival.com
About St. Johns County School District
The St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) consists of more than 50,000 students and has experienced growth of 24.2 percent over the last five years. The school system currently supports 18 elementary schools, seven K-8 schools, seven middle schools, nine high schools, two alternative centers, one virtual school, three charter schools, and one juvenile justice facility. Over the last several years, the SJCSD has transitioned from a small to a medium-sized school district and is dedicated to enhancing the learning experience for students in an area that covers 608 square miles, with more than 292,000 residents. The SJCSD is the largest employer within St. Johns County, with more than 5,893 full-time employees. stjohns.k12.fl.us
Additional information:
Confronted with a 45% growth over the last decade, the St. Johns County School District finds itself faced with an escalating demand for musical instruments for K-12 music education programming. In partnership with country-duo War Hippies, with support from leading instrument and pro audio retailer Sweetwater, the festival’s proceeds will provide much-needed resources to equip schools with instruments to enhance music education. Reinforcing the powerful connection between music and education, War Hippies will open the Francis Field Showcase with The Black Keys, Lord Huron and Yola on Friday, September 22. The St. Johns County School District continues working to manage growth with a rapidly increasing student population. As a result, schools often seek additional funding through grants and fundraisers to supplement and expand their initial supply of instruments in music programs. This emphasizes the motivations of Sing Out Loud Festival and War Hippies to collaborate and support the district’s music education programming.
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