What began as a national call to action called "Makin’Music That Matters Video Campaign" to bring together students, school administrators, law enforcement and parents to discuss 'Bullying' and its devastating consequences, has branched out into a regional grassroots outreach program called "Making Music That Matters, Stop The Bullying Outreach Program and Enlightenment" with over 150 schools participating to date and appearances by Matt Kennon where the Top 40 country music singer and songwriter speaks directly to students to face challenges and make a difference.

Matt has enlisted the help of international award-winningspeaker Troy McClain (The Apprentice, Season 1) and other notable motivational speakers to join him to let kids know there is hope and by joining together they can make a difference in their own life, and the lives of others.

The national video competition and campaign changed course to a region by region, locally accessible school assembly program available in your town.

In October, Matt will launch the next phase of the program by joining University of Alabama’s head football coachNick Saban and his wife Terry, with their foundation “Nick’s Kids Foundation.”

Matt Kennon’s 2010 Top 20 and #1 Heatseeker Billboard hit “The Call” shined a spotlight on a conversation to help prevent suicide and has over 4 million video views and 250,000 downloads to date.

In 2012, Matt kept the conversation going with his new radio single, “You Had to Pick On Me,” that takes on the headline making topic of bullying and became the catalyst for reaching out to kids directly using his music.

Matt’s new single was his stand against bullying. “It’s not fluff, it’s not fictional. People are hurting.” Matt’s enthusiasm about the school program is infectious. That’s because he truly believes together we can make a difference. “Bullying isn’t just in schools. I’ve been bullied, it goes on in the industry, it goes on in the workplace.”says Kennon.

Kennon, a new father himself, hopes to be a role model even though he considers himself a walking contradiction with his tattoos and “bad boy” look, and hopes to make a difference with Makin’ Music That Matters, Stop The Bullying Outreach Program and Enlightenment" in his community, your community, and the world.

For more information on Makin’ Music That Matters, Stop The Bullying Outreach Program and Enlightenment please visit www.mattkennon.com or to book Matt Kennon contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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You Heard "The Call"! Here is the latest Message within a Song From Matt Kennon...Together with Schools and Law Enforcement, Matt Kennon is making a difference and encouraging Students Nationwide to "Stop The Bull"

Teams With Ride Records For Radio Promotion • Joins Steve Azar On Select Tour Dates

Matt Kennon (RoaDDawg Records) has partnered with Ride Records to formally introduce Kennon’s current single “You Had To Pick On Me”* via the launch of an official national radio promotion campaign. Moved by a topic that is tragically becoming daily headline news, Kennon’s “You Had To Pick On Me,” addresses the increasing presence of bullying through song. A co-write with Jami Grooms and Garrett Parris, the track is a striking and honest reflection of victim sentiment and it’s struck a chord with many to recognize bullying as a life-threatening issue—a growing problem that can no longer be silenced.

The song features two perspectives, from both a young woman and man, suffering from tragic and troublesome experiences and hushed heartaches as a result of harassment. The frank lyrics express the dark and silent pain of the victims. Kennon’s closing verse is the result and response; he appeals for a change and reminds listeners that some of those who are bullied feel no alternate escape from the turmoil but to take their own life.

“Matt and I were talking about our new tour dates together and he mentioned his new song. Once I heard it, I knew we wanted to be part of helping him work this single,” Steve Azar, owner of Ride Records introduced. “It’s so timely with what’s going on, not only in our children’s lives but across the country--victims are young and old. Matt delivers the message in an artistic and powerful way; it’s truly a great song.” “It’s an issue that has been a historic problem, yet very little has been done to address it publicly—other than through tragic news stories.” Kennon adds. “This song lays it out there—paints a picture—and it’s my way of drawing more attention to the problem. I’m thrilled Steve and his team at Ride Records see the importance of the message and share my vision to get it out there to speak on behalf of those who cannot.” Ride Records’ Harry “Bud” Nelson and Dave “Duke” Sholin will head the national radio promotion campaign supported by the stellar promotions team already in place (Al Brock, Ann Chrisman, Regina Raleigh and Ed Gertler of Digital Delivery Services) that has lent their tremendous talents to captivate audiences and generate awareness across the country.

To further support the endearing campaign, Steve Azar and Matt Kennon are working to establish a schedule of tour dates together in the 2012 summer season. Matt has also received a personal invitation from the D.A. of Mobile, Alabama to organize a series of performances at local schools to add volume to the important message in Kennon’s home state. The school appearances will begin in May.

“We are pleased to align with Matt Kennon; he’s an artist who is committed to his song and has the work ethic to stand behind it,” Bill “BT” Twyman, President of Ride Records concluded. “The story is from a real place and it’s a story that is tough to tell. Nevertheless, we all are aware that we can no longer hide the true-to-life fact that bullying is real and effects all mankind in a very real way. Matt delivers it with heart and soul.”

Ride Records works in tandem with independent talent to change the country music landscape. Home to Steve Azar, the label is proud to announce the signings of two brilliant singer/songwriters, Dave Hardin and Walt Wilkins. CD releases are expected from Hardin and Wilkins in the coming months. For more information on Ride Records, visit: www.riderecords.com. More information about Matt Kennon, including tour dates and appearances, is available at his website, mattkennon.com.

Now at No. 69 on the Music Row chart, Kennon’s “You Had To Pick On Me” is available on Play MpE and all Internet outlets.

Inspired by the troubles of a young boy he befriended at a school visit last year, Matt Kennon, known for his devotion to writing songs with a purpose, penned the song “You Had To Pick On Me” with fellow writers Jami Grooms and Garrett Parris, focusing on the rising issue of bullying. The song has now become an inspiration, giving a national voice to those who could not speak. One such youth who connected personally with the song, 12-year-old Harrison from Santa Barbara, created a video for “You Had To Pick On Me” with the help of his classmates, faculty and parents to bring awareness to the anti-bullying movement to his school, community, and beyond.

“The response and encouragement from my friends, family and the entire community for my song and its message has been so overwhelming. Harrison’s initiative tocreate the video has inspired us to develop the Making Music That Matters Video Campaign,”states Matt Kennon. “My last recording, ‘The Call,’ reached over 3.6 million peoplethrough YouTube, and I know that with the support of schools, parents and community members, ‘You Had To Pick On Me’ and its message could reach many more. We need to raise awareness and generate support against bullying, and hopefully this song will help produce a necessary call-to-action.”

From now until Oct 15, schools nationwide are invited to join the Making Music That Matters Video Campaign by submitting student-made videos for the song “You Had To Pick On Me”. At the end of the campaign, the Top Five videos (based on quality and content) will be featured in the final contest for the public to vote on their favorite video,where the winning school will then be recognized with a Matt Kennon performance, per school approval and schedule coordination.

Through these videos and growing community participation, Kennon hopes that the anti-bullying movement will become unstoppable. “We encourage all schools and kids to share their voice,” adds Kennon. “Let’s make a difference and Stand together against bullying and protect our future of America, the kids!”

VIDEO SUBMISSION DETAILS

Deadline: October 15, 2012
 

CLICK HERE FOR SUBMISSION FORM

Please scroll down to see example video in past news article.

Stay tuned on this website and Matt's facebook page (click here for link) to keep up with this Making Music tha Matters video campaign.