Covenant House Interview

From Covenant House's website:

Each of Us Has the Power to Effect Change. You Needn’t Be a Rock Star.

Jon takes on innovative projects like the Soul Kitchen, his restaurant in Red Bank, N.J. that offers diners who cannot pay the suggested donation opportunities to volunteer time to the kitchen or in the community in order to earn a “dining certificate.” And he is continually pushing creative solutions to the poverty and hardship that weigh kids down. On June 12 at Covenant House's Night of Broadway Stars concert in Lincoln Center, Jon will receive the Beacon of Hope Award, which is bestowed upon advocates and activists whose lives and work offer opportunity and hope to homeless and trafficked young people. He will share the award with our friend Leo Carlin , a partner in T.W. Cooper Insurance, who is also president of the board of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation and a board member of Covenant House Pennsylvania.

I wanted to know more about what motivates Jon to play an important role in helping homeless youth -- his concern for them goes back more than three decades when, inspired by our New York City shelter, he wrote "Runaway," his first hit. We talked about the challenges that kids face today, and how each of us can have a positive impact in the world:

Q: Jon, you’re a pretty busy guy. But you accepted President Obama's invitation to join the White House Council on Community Solutions last year. Why was this important to you?

A: In 2008, like so many others, I was inspired by Mr. Obama. I truly believe that we are the change we want to see, each of us. I wrote to the White House shortly after the election to suggest a council on volunteerism. After some thought they suggested the WHCCS and offered me a seat.

Q: What did you learn as a member of the Council?

A: There are many people across the nation who truly care about and provide inspiration in their communities. These people aren’t rock stars or politicians -- many of them don’t even get paid. They rarely have an opportunity to have their voices heard or have the funding they need and many can not get the attention of the media to even spotlight their messaging.

Q: You met with a lot of young people across the country over the last year, including homeless youth living at Covenant House. Did anything you hear or see surprise you?

A: Kids are kids. They all need love, guidance and mentors who lead by example. Yet, some have had to grow up fast and have had more than their share of challenges. But thanks to organizations like Covenant House there is always hope.

Q: Why Covenant House?

A: I remember that the first Covenant House was located near the old bus station at the foot of the Lincoln Tunnel in New York City. I would look out the bus window on my way to work in a recording studio and often think “there, but for the grace of God go I...”

Q: You wrote "Runaway" in 1980 about those kids?

A. I did. Once a young person is ready to get off the street, they can always count on Covenant House to provide a safe haven and a place to sleep without fear, a place where they can focus on the rebuilding of their lives, get counseling, and help reconnect to education so that they are better equipped when the opportunity comes to find work and eventually a place of their own.

Q: Jon, you've channeled a lot of your passion for social change into the work of the Soul Foundation. Why is the Foundation important to you?

A: I have been blessed both in my professional and personal life. Having the opportunity to make change is both rewarding and necessary.

Q: You're receiving the Beacon of Hope Award from Covenant House at Lincoln Center on June 12, along with our friend Leo Carlin. What does that mean to you?

A: It will be a fabulous night, certainly, highlighted by the kids' performance as well as their stories. I’d like to congratulate my friend Leo Carlin. His tireless advocacy on behalf of Covenant House in Philadelphia deserves to be recognized. There are many, like Leo, who have earned this award much more than I, but on behalf of all of those who really dare to make a difference, I’ll say thanks for the inspiration. I’m grateful.

Q: Back at you. You’ve inspired a lot of us to roll up our shirt sleeves and make a difference in the world. Do you have any advice for budding advocates and activists who want to have a positive impact on the world?

A: As I have said before each of us has the power to effect change. You needn’t be a rock star. You needn’t be a politician or invent the magic pill. But each of us working together in what I refer to as the “power of we” is capable of great things.

~ Hath

Jon's CNBC Interview

In three parts -- thanks BJRockChick1!!

~ Hath

JBJ Helps Young Americans Find Summer Jobs

From the White House website:

Jon Bon Jovi is a singer, a songwriter, an actor -- and a member of the President's Council for Community Solutions. President Obama tasked the Council with finding ways to bring the best resources of the public, private, non-profit and philanthropic sectors in communities across the country together to work on solving local problems.

Following extensive outreach and research, the Council determined that providing opportunities for employment for disconnected youth was key, and that if these communities could pull together to move these young people onto critical pathways toward education, employment, and ongoing civic participation, the benefits would be far-reaching. The result is Summer Jobs Plus:

Happy Friday!

~ Hath

JonBon on CNBC

As posted by the JBJ Soul Foundation Website:

Tune In to Watch an Exclusive Interview with Jon Bon Jovi on CNBC05/15/12 Jon Bon Jovi, Board Chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation, will be featured on CNBC Meets this Wednesday, May 16th. During part of this interview, Jon discusses the JBJ Soul Kitchen, the Soul Foundation, and takes a look back as he tours the Philadelphia neighborhood of our first project.

Exclusive Interview to Premier on 16th May at 10:00pm BST

Global Rock Icon Talks Music, Philanthropy and Family; Receives Praise from Former President Bill Clinton

London, 2 May 2012 – CNBC, the leading business and financial news network, launches the second season of its successful CNBC Meets program with an exclusive interview with global rock icon and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi, which premiers on Wednesday, 16th May at 10.00pm BST.

The CNBC Meets series features up close and personal interviews with some of the world’s most successful people and asks them how they have achieved success in their career, their home life and about their commitments to philanthropy.

The second series kicks off with an exclusive interview with one of the world’s most successful artists, Jon Bon Jovi. His band Bon Jovi, formed in 1983, has become one of the most successful rock bands in the world, selling over 130 million albums, performing in over 50 countries for over 34 million fans, and whose last two world tours outsold the likes of Justin Bieber, Kanye West and Katy Perry combined.

In this exclusive and rare interview, Jon Bon Jovi reveals to CNBC Meets presenter Tania Bryer, his passion and dedication to his philanthropic work and takes Tania on a tour of a Philadelphia neighborhood that is one of the many affordable housing projects helmed by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (www.jonbonjovisoulfoundation.org). In a candid interview, Jon talks about his childhood, his breakthrough into the music business and how he manages his ‘Day Job’ and family life.

Filmed on location in Red Bank, New Jersey, at the site of the JBJ Soul Kitchen and on the streets of Philadelphia, the viewer will gain an insight into the real Jon Bon Jovi as he gives an incredibly honest interview revealing the man behind the rock star image.

The program also features interviews with Jon’s inspiration and mentor, Sister Mary Scullion, co-founder of Project H.O.M.E., and a sit down interview with President Bill Clinton, a close personal friend and supporter of Jon’s foundation.

Transcript, review copies and stills from the program are available upon request.

First transmission date:16th May 2012, 10.00pm BST. Program will air on each of CNBC’s regional networks in the US; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and in Asia-Pacific.

Asia-Pacific: 12-13 May (SIN/HK time)
Sat 1200, 1900
Sun 0200, 0800, 2100
Mon 0400

Australia 12-13 May (AEST)
Sat 2200
Sun 0600, 1300, 2100
Mon 0600

United States (EST)
CNBC World
Sat, May 19 at 1930, 2230
Sun, May 20 at 0730
Wed, May 23 at 1030

~ Hath

Soraia Podcast

New bumper sticker, soon to be available on soraia.com

Soraia put up a podcast yesterday on Unclaimed Bands.  It's free on iTunes (or you can download from CatteSambora's MediaFire here), and features an interview with Sue and Travis and two roughs of songs that will be on the new record.  Here's what Sue posted on Facebook:

Download for free the newest podcast with Soraia! It's an interview done about a month and a half ago at Dobb's with Sean Gallagher, and we play two roughs from it....these are not the final products for the record...but damn close...so go download and take a listen.

Sue talks a little about writing with Jon, opening for Bon Jovi, meeting with Little Steven Van Zandt, production on the record, how she chose the songs for the record, a little bit of band history and dynamics, the dedication and support of their fans, and info about the new record.

She also talks a little about the song "Against the Wall", which she co-wrote with Jon, and how she hopes it connects with people. She posted lyrics for on FB a few weeks ago:

"I walk alone
down these dark and nameless streets
I'm numb as tears keep rolling down my frozen cheeks
Oh, I don't know which way to go
I'm waiting on a sign or soul to tell me so
too many long days
keep going the wrong way
You're gonna cry
don't hide your eyes
everybody falls
when you can't be strong, keep holdin' on
when your back's against the wall
When the good is gone and the night's so long
or every step, you crawl
when you can't be strong, keep holdin' on
when your back's against the wall...."

Travis also talks some about the band making it through challenges and sticking together. He's very sweet and funny.

The two songs on the podcast are Runaround and Never Again.

Enjoy!

~ Hath

JBJ Helping Obama (again)

Jon Bon Jovi will be performing at the Obama Victory Fund Gala Dinner at the Waldorf on June 4.

Think you'll be in the area and would like to attend?

The ticket is a steep $2,500 per person.

If you would like a photo (along with dinner) you and a guest can attend for a mere $15,000.

For a staggering $35,800 (how the hell did they come up with THAT number) you -- BY YOURSELF -- can have a greet/photo and dinner.

I'm pretty sure the meet/photo sessions are with the President (and former Prez, Mr. Clinton), which may be a bit of a letdown for you ;)

~ Hath

New Blog, for YOUR Stories

This new blog was set up because I received a story via email (the author does not maintain a blog) and I wanted to share it with you.

The story is posted on the blog, and is called "One Wild Night".

SO, if there's anyone out there that has a story to share, that does not maintain a blog, or wishes to remain anonymous without the hassle of going through and setting up your own persona/blog, let me know :)  I'll post it as-is on the new blog.

~ Hath

Richie on ET

Our own Richie Sambora co-hosted on Entertainment on May 11 with Nancy O Dell.

Here's the full eposide (sans commercials, lol)


And this one is just the Richie bits edited together:


Thanks to JanieJovi and NASUKAYUYU for the uploads!


~ Hath