Slash to Perform with Student Musicians at Cancer Benefit 12/11

Legendary rock guitarist Slash, formerly of the band Guns N' Roses, will take the stage with student musicians from Rock Nation School in a music festival to benefit children with cancer on December 11 in Hollywood. Proceeds from Monster Showcase will go to Shred Kids' Cancer, a nonprofit organization that funds research of pediatric cancer, which will grant funds to Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA.

"Rock Nation School is extremely grateful that Slash is donating his time and talent to inspire young musicians to leverage the power of music to support great causes," said John Russco, managing partner of Rock Nation School.

Slash, who was ranked by Time Magazine as the #2 electric-guitar player in the world in 2009, agreed to perform at the invitation of Shred Kids' Cancer. The organization was founded by 10-year-old Teagan Stedman of Los Angeles, after one of his friends was diagnosed with the cancer. Rock Nation School, where Stedman studies guitar, offered to help raise money by producing Monster Showcase.

"Doing this show means as much to the musicians as it does to kids who have cancer," said Stedman, whose group, Slatr, will perform at the show. "It's important to let the kids who are suffering know that we're here for them, and that we're doing more than just saying we're sorry that they are sick."

In addition to Slash and Slatr, the five-hour Monster Showcase lineup includes Aubrey Linder, Countervail, DJAQ, Nick Tucker Trio, Shadows of Aires, Spanish Fly, The Prefix, Trouble Makers, Vertical Twist, Ben Babylon and others. Babylon is the son of the late Guy Babylon, who was Elton John's Grammy-winning keyboardist and arranger for 21 years. The 13-year-old Babylon is working on his first album, to be released in 2011, and will introduce songs from it, at the show.

"It really means a lot, performing at this concert," Babylon said. "It feels good to be helping an amazing cause. Teagan is my friend. He has so much talent, and he wants to change the world."

Rock Nation is a private, performance-based school for aspiring rock musicians of all ages, with four locations in the Los Angeles area. The school produces several tribute shows each year, highlighting on the music of popular rock artists. However, at the December 11 show, many students will perform their own, original songs.

"The quality of music is amazing," said Rock Nation owner Tony Avalon. "The feeling is overwhelming to watch and listen to these kids play their hearts out for a fight for life and to rid the world of horrible diseases."

Monster Showcase to Benefit Shred Kids' Cancer will take place on Saturday, December 11 from noon-5:00 p.m. at The Highlands, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90028. Tickets can be purchased for $12 each at Rock Nation Schools or $15 at the door.

More information about Rock Nation School is available at www.rocknationschool.com. To learn more about Shred Kids' Cancer, visit www.shredkidscancer.org.

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