By Selma Grows
As Support and Education for Local Music and Arts enters its second year as an organized Public Benefit Corporation we celebrate together with our local students and educators. Thursday May 31, 2012, S.E.L.M.A. is introducing international Rock Star, Jackson Cook (www.jacksoncook.com) to our Palm Desert High School students for an exclusive lunchtime concert.
Jackson credits Tom Petty, The Eagles, Led Zepplin, and the Rolling Stones for influencing his musical style. On the stage at his own school talent show in Canada some six years ago, Jackson, now 18, became inspired to create his own music after experiencing an encouraging response from his peers. Upon his coming of age Jackson has already acquired more impressive accomplishments than we can record.Some of which include being a finalist twice at the International Songwriter’s Competition. Once for his debut song, “First Kiss” and also for a more recent song “Street Soldier”. He was also nominated as a finalist for “Best Young Songwriter” in the Toronto Independent Music Awards. Not only does he write all of his songs, but since coming to Palm Desert with his family this last year he has also co-produced and laid all of the vocal and guitar tracks for his new album “Deadman Walking”. Jackson Cook, accompanied by The Regulators, has even managed to WIN the recent “Desert Rising Star” competition.
S.E.L.M.A. first welcomed Jackson Cook into our community at the Palm Desert Charter Middle School in February 2012. Since then S.E.L.M.A and Cook have been planning a special concert tour for all the schools in the Coachella Valley. This tour includes support from Americana Vintage Guitars, El Paseo Palm Desert. This new addition to our cherished local businesses is owned and operated by the Cook family. They have charged themselves to reward every S.E.L.M.A. associated school with $100 and a brand new acoustic guitar when S.E.L.M.A. provides a concert showcasing Jackson. (see insert: Sallie Frasier , Principal at PDCMS accepting guitar and check from Americana in January)
These concerts are exclusively appreciating students and faculty of the Coachella Valley schools. SELMA will be accepting FREE new member applications from all students, while inviting all graduating seniors to SELMA Summertime activities through United Coachella Valley, a new summer bridge program for youth 18-30 at S.E.L.M.A. Headquarters located inside All Desert Wellness Centers (www.alldesertwellnesscentes.com) 74-200 Hwy 111 Palm Desert (760)797-5151
Keep checking us out each week in CV WEEKLY and see how Support and Education for Local Music and Arts continues to grow in the Coachella Valley. Next Week: we introduce S.E.L.M.A. Art Program Director Mr. Leo Fuchs.
