Look To The Stars News: Gym Class Heroes

LTTS Exclusive - Travis McCoy And The MTV Staying Alive Foundation

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

On November 11, Broadway East in Lower Manhattan was crowded with the hip and stylish to kick off the MTV Staying Alive Foundation’s push to their World AIDS Day campaign.

On World AIDS Day, Staying Alive will release a song made exclusively for the cause by Travis McCoy, front man for the popular indie/hip-hop band Gym Class Heroes and one of the foundation’s celebrity ambassadors. The name of the song is One at a Time, and you can get a preview of the song and learn more about the campaign here.

McCoy was at the event last week, as well as MTV VJ and Next Top Model’s Kim Stolz. British R&B singer songwriter Estelle also made an appearance.

The event highlighted McCoy’s travels – he recently visited grassroots HIV and AIDS prevention projects around the world – and was officially kicked off when Stolz spoke about her support of the foundation’s goals. Two grant recipients were also at the event: Tyler Spencer of the Grassroot Foundation/Athletes United for Social Justice and Natalia Cales of the Carolina Empowerment Group, Inc.

“MTV gave us our first big grant,” Tyler Spencer told Look To The Stars. “Before winning the SAF Award, we were funded almost completely by out of pocket expenses. The grant really put a solid ground under our feet.”

McCoy made the keynote speech at the event and, in a moment of spontaneity, he decided to speak from the heart rather than read prepared index cards. He talked about his travels across the globe where he visited grassroots, youth HIV and AIDS prevention projects, and discussed the challenge of writing a song to convey the enormity of his experiences.

In an exclusive interview with Look to the Stars’ Myrlia Purcell, Travis talked about his inspiration for working with the foundation. It all started when he was asked to ask celebrities questions about safe sex and HIV/AIDS awareness at the European Video Music Awards. He felt he should be doing more because “felt a strong connection with the foundation.” Travis lost someone close to him from AIDS when he was young but never told his friends because of the stigma. After the European VMAs, he approached MTV about how he could do more to help.

He talked about the things he noticed during his travels. “When I was in South Africa, I went to this township…, there was no running water and there were all these really, really horrible conditions but, you know, these kids were just so happy and just the biggest brightest smiles I’ve ever seen. These kids are playing soccer out of makeshift ball from plastic bags. And you know seeing that and thinking about back home, you know we just don’t realize how good we have it. We take it for granted the small things like having running water. We have kids that throw fits and cry when they don’t get the newest video game.”

He also talked about stepping up to the challenge of having to write a song. “Well, for one thing, there was a tremendous amount of pressure. All the proceeds from downloads go back to Staying Alive. Of course, I want to raise as much money as possible. So there is this part of me that wants this song to appeal to a lot of people and also to keep the cheesiness to a bare minimum. When you’re going into something like this and you’re making a song that you want to appeal to a lot of people, at the end of the day, it’s a pop song. … You want to make sure that the people who inspired the song are well represented and you get your point across. I’m very, very proud about how the song turned out.”

When asked what his fans could do to help, he responded decisively, “Download the song on December 1st when it comes out. Check out the Staying Alive website to see what you can do to help out. You don’t need to be an impressive figure (a celebrity) to do your part. As much time as our generation spends on the Internet you can take 5 to 10 minutes of your time to check it out to see what you can do.”

To learn more make sure to go to the Staying Alive and The Unbeaten Track websites to learn more.

Travis McCoy To Release Charity Song On World AIDS Day

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:30:00 -0000

MTV Networks International’s Staying Alive Foundation has announced the launch of Travis McCoy’s charity track, One At A Time, which is set for release on December 1st to coincide with World AIDS Day.

McCoy, lead singer of alternative hip hop collective Gym Class Heroes and special ambassador to The Staying Alive Foundation, exclusively wrote the track for the Foundation which is MTV’s global HIV and AIDS awareness charity, funding and supporting youth-led grassroots HIV prevention projects around the world.

Available to download on iTunes from December 1, World AIDS Day, all proceeds from sales of the track will benefit the young people and projects supported by the Foundation.

The track was written after the 10-day journey McCoy took as Staying Alive Foundation Ambassador to South Africa, India and The Philippines, during which time he visited some of the inspirational projects funded and supported by the charity. His journey enabled him to meet with some of the young people who have dedicated their lives to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their own communities.

The track, which draws on McCoy’s experiences while on the trip, was recorded in Miami and produced and co-written by The Smeezingtons.

“This track comes straight from the heart,” said McCoy. “It encompasses everything that I saw and felt on the trip. I met some amazing and inspiring young people – and this track is dedicated to them and their tireless and selfless commitment to the fight against HIV and AIDS. I just hope that it’ll inspire others out there to get involved in whatever way they can. It really doesn’t take much to make a difference.”

Commented The Smeezingtons, “It was such an honour and humbling experience to work with Travis and MTV to create this song. We love making music, but when the music is used to help such a worthy cause it’s unbelievably fulfilling.”

“Travis’ commitment to The Staying Alive Foundation has enabled us to reach young people around the world in a truly innovative way,” said Georgia Arnold, Executive Producer of The Unbeaten Track and Senior Vice President, Social Responsibility, MTV Networks International/ Executive Director, Staying Alive Foundation.

“Through this track, Travis will be sharing his experience and amplifying the HIV awareness message to MTV audiences, globally, in a creative and memorable way. We are delighted with the track and can’t wait for the world to hear it.”

In addition to the One At A Time track, an accompanying music video will be aired on MTV from November 9, 2009 and will be available to watch online on MTV websites. The video features footage of Travis in the studio, as well as clips from ‘Travis McCoy’s Unbeaten Track’, the documentary that charts Travis’ tri-continental journey and is set to air on MTV channels on December 1, coinciding with the track release.

The philanthropic effort behind One At A Time is the result of a partnership between MTV Networks International, The Staying Alive Foundation, Atlantic Records and Fueled By Ramen.

One At A Time will be available on iTunes from December 1, 2009. From December 8, 2009, the track will also be available via other major online music retailers.

In addition to buying the track, donations can be made directly to The Staying Alive Foundation by visiting www.stayingalivefoundation.org

Check out www.theunbeatentrack.com for more details on McCoy’s trip, including the inspiration behind the track and the Foundation-funded projects McCoy visited.

50 Cent To Perform Charity Concert

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Rapper 50 Cent is set to perform a benefit concert later this month at Six Flags Great Adventure theme park in New Jersey.

The star is set to take to the stage on August 29, with proceeds going to benefit the G-Unity Foundation, which provides grants to nonprofit organizations that work to improve the quality of life for low-income and under-served communities. 50 Cent is on the board of directors of the charity.

Gym Class Heroes, Flo Rida, Brandy and LeAnn Rimes are also to perform at the park over the summer.

To book tickets or find out more, click here.

Travis McCoy Asks For AIDS Day Lyric Help

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy is currently traveling the world meeting young people affected by AIDS to raise awareness of the disease.

The singer plans to release a single about his experiences on World AIDS Day, December 1, and is asking fans via Twitter to submit possible lyrics and CD cover design ideas.

“[It’s] a cause that is very close to me,” he said. "Having lost loved ones and seeing the toll it takes on people affected, including the people that love and care for them, it’s important we do whatever we can within our power to fight this deadly and rapidly spreading epidemic.

“I strongly feel the best cure we have at this point is increasing education and building awareness. It’s how we use this information in the choices we make that will determine whether or not our generation will help make a change or ultimately make things worse. I believe that each one should teach one, and if my influence on my peers and young ones that look up to me can help decide what music to listen to or what clothes to wear, I hope and pray it will help them to decide to be safe and take their life seriously.”

Travis will visit South Africa, the Philippines and India as part of his role as MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation Ambassador.

Find out more by visiting his Blog.

Pete Wentz Plays Cupid For A Cause

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:00:00 -0000

This Valentine’s day, Peter Wentz from Fall Out Boy and singer-songwriter Tyrone Wells are playing cupid for a cause.

Invisible Children, a media-based organization that provides relief for the war-affected people of northern Uganda, is holding a raffle to win a personalized Valentine’s videogram for your sweetheart. Tickets can be purchased as two for $2, four for $5, or 20 for $20 on Invisible Children’s online store until February 11th.

Winners will receive a personal love-note from Pete or Tyrone to their Valentine via video on February 14th, with all proceeds going to Invisible Children. The raffle’s inception came about with Wells in 2008, who has largely been involved with Invisible Children throughout the years. Wells has participated in their national event called the Global Night Commute, and by selling the original ‘Rough Cut’ documentary on the road. Wentz has also been an active advocate for the organization, taking Invisible Children out on three Fall Out Boy tours, including their upcoming tour in April, along with his involvement in other fundraising initiatives, including his recent art show in Los Angeles with Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes.

Invisible Children’s ability to creatively integrate a community of musicians and artists around its mission has generated a global awareness about the longest-running war in Africa in an entirely unique way. With the success of 12 band tours, benefit shows, and music festivals like Bamboozle and Warped tour, Invisible Children has empowered artists to use their voice in a powerful and inspiring way.

Click on the links below to choose which artist you would most like to send a heart-filled message to the one you love:

Pete Wentz.
Tyrone Wells.

MTV Staying Alive Foundation's Newest Ambassadors

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

R&B singer Kelly Rowland became a Staying Alive Foundation ambassador in March. Highly motivated, she immediately turned her belief of ‘knowledge is power’ into a plan of action.

In June she went with MTV to South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya to meet some of SAF’s grant winners who are implementing HIV/AIDS awareness programs to “encourage, educate and empower their peers.”

“The [HIV/AIDS] statistics are high in young people,” says Rowland, “in African Americans or Africans period, so it’s important to get the message out there.”

The result of Rowland’s trip was not only her film, The Diary of Kelly Rowland – which documented her activities in Africa and aired on 1 December, World AIDS Day – but also an emotional rollercoaster that took her far beyond the comforts of home that she is accustomed to. Shocked by the putrid existence of AIDS sufferers in the squalor and hopelessness of a prostitution camp, affected by intelligent theatrical performance by actors with AIDS about the realities of AIDS, and inspired by the centre that takes girls off the streets and teaches them to read and write to make them employable, the visit to Africa was a real eye opener for the new ambassador.

“There’s so many young people out there and they have a life to live,” says Rowland. “We’re all a bit responsible for that.”

Singer Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes, SAF’s latest ambassador, is also keen to spread the message.

“I’ve been that young naive boy, running around, not caring, wanting to have sex,” says McCoy. “I can definitely relate to the young guys out there now… I want to talk to them about respecting themselves, protecting themselves and the girls and women around them.”

Punk Bands Unite For Charity Auction

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:50:52 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Punk rockers – your attention please. Ready for a bit of anarchy in the name of a good cause? Why not check out the hot new ticket auction on eBay for the chance to attend the premier punk rock event of the year – the Vans Warped Tour. Not only could you get the chance to have the best seats at the venue – you could also join your favorite band ONSTAGE!

The 14th annual Vans Warped Tour will make stops in 46 US and Canadian cities, beginning on June 20 in Pomona, California, and concluding August 17 in Los Angeles, California. Each festival date features over 40 cutting-edge musical artists performing on five stages, as well as other attractions including top athletes in the action sports world, skateboard ramps and demonstrations, informational tents, autograph signings, giveaways, and lifestyle events. The 2008 Tour will feature leading punk and hard rock bands, including Against Me!, Angels & Airwaves, Cobra Starship, Gym Class Heroes, Paramore, Pennywise, Relient K, The Academy Is, and others.

The TJ Martell Foundation has joined the 2008 Vans Warped Tour to bring you the Fifth Annual Charity Ticket Auction for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research. Beginning Monday, April 21, and running for three consecutive weeks, fans can bid on eBay for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to receive two tickets to “America’s most successful festival”. All proceeds from the Vans Warped Tour ticket auctions will benefit the life saving research conducted at The Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and others. The T. J Martell Foundation, founded in 1975 by Columbia/Sony music industry executive Tony Martell in memory of his son – a victim of leukemia – has since raised more than $230 million over 33-years to combat the world’s three most deadliest diseases – leukemia, cancer, and AIDS. The T. J. Martell Foundation’s Vans Warped Tour Ticket Auctions has generated over $40,000 in funding over the last 4 years.

Bidding in the auction, accessed through eBay, started yesterday and could score you one of 15 pairs of tickets and accompanying stage access passes for the first 15 tour dates available. Fifteen additional pairs of tickets with stage passes, for each additional 15 tour dates, will again be posted to eBay on April 28 and May 5.

More information about the Vans Warped Tour can be found at the event’s website.

Look To The Stars News: Gym Class Heroes

LTTS Exclusive - Travis McCoy And The MTV Staying Alive Foundation

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