Taylor Dayne, Journey's Jonathan Cain Among Celebrities Urging Congress to Don't Stop Believin in School Music Programs

GRAMMY-nominated artist Taylor Dayne and Journey keyboardist and songwriter Jonathan Cain joined the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) along with partners VH1 Save the Music Foundation and Dosomething.org at a reception in the U.S. Capitol Building yesterday with the goal of keeping music and the arts as core components in every child’s education. During the evening reception, Dayne and Cain spoke about how music has influenced and impacted their lives.

Taylor Dayne:

"Miss Kyzowski, Mr. Dagan, Miss Edwards. 30 years later I can still remember their names because these people were three of the most influential people in my life. They were my music teachers and they helped me find my own voice.  My music teachers believed in me more than I believed in myself and music class was my safe place."

Jonathan Cain:

"In 1958, I went to a school that burned to the ground and 100 kids died. My way out of it was music. My father bought me an accordion after the fire and it became my best friend. Music was my escape and my salvation. And that's what we have to remember when decisions are made to cut music classes out of schools."

The reception capped off a successful day of NAMM Member visits to Members of Congress discussing the importance of making music part of a complete education for every child in the U.S.