Media: Press Releases

THIS TALENTED GROUP IS MAKING MUSIC IN HARMONY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

Fort Worth, TX, April 11, 2012 – “It’s entertainment with a conscience,” says Steve Linder, creator of Vocal Trash; a diverse blend of environmental performers who have been engaging audiences across the U.S. for over a decade. The musical aspects of this exciting, high-energy troupe from Texas appeals to everyone – from the very young to the very old – in its perfect mix of pop, rock, swing and classic oldies.

Described as “Glee, with a kick”, Vocal Trash plays to capacity crowds, from Las Vegas to Madison Square Garden, presenting their “wow factor” experience and making them a hit with all venues. Audiences can’t seem to get enough of this energetic group whose “feel good” music literally gets people up and dancing in the aisles.

Vocal Trash combines uniquely recycled musical instruments, such as their “one of a kind” bass and guitars, with an industrial percussion section made-up of metal trash cans, plastic barrels, water bottles and other landfill rescued items. Their hip, yet poignant, presentation teaches children to use their imagination in a meaningful and lasting way as it relates to eco-friendly living. This makes for a powerful and personal tool to reach young minds while enforcing an important narrative to reuse items that would normally end up as discarded, earth burdensome waste.

With a rare display of excellence, synchronization, precision and musicianship, Vocal Trash followers, affectionately deemed as “Trash-Heads,” love the distinctive blend of first-rate singing, industrial style drumming, comedy antics and award-winning break-dancing. When it comes to diversity, Vocal Trash is the ultimate variety show with an urban feel and Broadway appeal.

While Earth Day is celebrated once a year in April (22nd), Vocal Trash has been doing their part by incorporating recycling into their shows for years, long before “green” was hip – making them one of the most positive role models in entertainment today. Part stage performers, part recycling gurus – these entertainers make green awareness fun for folks of all ages. Kelsey Rae, star of the show who coined the groups mantra ‘THINK… before you throw it away’ says, “We’re simply presenting a positive message. Music and dance is universal… there’s no better way to reach the masses.”

Touring coast to coast, this in-demand group of top notch entertainers have made appearances on Worldwide Telemundo, Fox 21 in Colorado and Good Morning Texas (both Houston and Dallas), various high profile “Green” websites and numerous large market newspaper publications.

Please read the rave reviews from clients and check this dynamic group out personally at: www.vocaltrash.net.

TEXAS TOUR DATES:

April 14
Downtown Ft. Worth, TX
Cowtown Great American Cleanup
Trinity Park
12:00 – 2:00 pm (Public)

April 19
Irving, TX
Northlake College, Earth Day Event
11:15 am & 12:45 pm (Public)

April 21
College Station, TX
Brazos Valley Earth Day
Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater
4:00 – 6:00 pm (Public)

April 22
The Woodlands, TX
Earth Day Concert in the Park
North Shore Park
5:30 – 7:30 pm (Public)

TIP SHEET:

Please watch Vocal Trash perform at: http://youtu.be/8L-WZbLCVk4

Gary Cogill, Fox Good Morning Texas Show: “Great Harmonies, our staff danced through the entire segment!”

Danny Aguilar, Delaware State Fair: “If you want a high energy show, with standing room only crowds, Vocal Trash is the way to go. They have been a huge entertainment hit for our patrons and they demand Vocal Trash return each year…family entertainment at its best!”

Candus Barnum, The Western Washington Fair & Events Center: “Amazing vocals – high energy – entertaining for all ages – a must see!”

Lisa Maldonado, Keller, TX PTA: “…a wonderfully energetic and educational assembly…you are such professional role models.”

NATIONAL TOURING GROUP PERFORMS TO BENEFIT LOCAL AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

Fort Dodge, IA – Fort Dodge after school program is getting a high five and financial boost from the nationally recognized entertainment troupe, Vocal Trash.

Bringing their high-kick, high-octane stage show to Fort Dodge on July 15, 2011 Vocal Trash will help benefit Butler Elementary’s after school BLAST program, which allows children to experience what they don’t normally practice during the school day; such as culinary arts, Spanish, physical activity and greater social interaction.

The fundraising show is being held at Decker Auditorium on the Iowa Central Community College campus. Not only does the event benefit the BLAST program, but this is also a unique opportunity for the Iowa fans to see Vocal Trash perform in Fort Dodge!

As a business with a conscious, Vocal Trash is sponsoring a contest for the most recycled chip bags and candy wrappers selecting the winner at the show and bring funds right back to the BLAST program.

Butler BLAST is available through a grant, based on the number of children enrolled on free or reduced school lunches. The program is offered after school until 6 P.M. each weekday with the help of teachers who give extra time and volunteers who make it all possible.

“There are at least 100 to 120 kids at Butler BLAST each night,” said Butler Principal Mike Woodall, “It’s a place where kids can stay after school if their parents aren’t home along with getting extra help.”

Program director, Sherri Schill says the program needs to continue because it’s not a “drop-in” activity, where students come and go. For many children the BLAST program is part of their daily routine.

Cheryl O’Hern of the Noon Rotary and BLAST Committee explained why she is excited to see Vocal Trash come to support BLAST:

“Vocal Trash will rock Fort Dodge with their music and ‘Glee with a Kick’ performance. What better way to raise money for our BLAST after school program then to spend an evening with Vocal Trash and the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary who is proud to be able to bring this type of family entertainment to our community!”

Steve Linder, the creator of Vocal Trash, says, “We are so looking forward to bringing the show to Iowa, once again. The people there are the best… and to be a part of raising money for this important program really fits into our mission: ‘Utilizing music and dance, the universal languages, Vocal Trash crosses all cultural barriers with exciting awareness of all things positive, specifically saving our planet.’” Steve adds, “It’s a natural fit!”

Tickets to this amazing event with a cause, can be purchased through the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary by calling Cheryl O’Hern at 515-573-1249 or emailing Cheryl.O’Hern@FTR.com. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children.

Vocal Trash is available for interviews before, after or during the day of the event. We’d love for you to cover the event live and get the community involved with such a special program that helps so many kids in the Fort Dodge, IA area!

TEXAS TOWN INVITES VOCAL TRASH TO CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM

Crowley, TX event honors U.S. Veterans at Bicentennial Park July 9 from 10 AM – 11 PM – One Texas town is keeping freedom alive after the Fourth of July. The city of Crowley, just south of Forth Worth, has held their Celebration of Freedom every year honoring veterans:

“Our Celebration of Freedom has grown from a simple parade and fireworks show into a major celebration!” said city councilman Johnny Shotwell, “We wanted to make this year’s event something people will never forget by bringing in Fort Worth’s own variety group, Vocal Trash.”

Known for their high-kick, high-octane performance, Vocal Trash will keep the spirit of Independence alive in the Fort Worth area. This is a show for the whole family, this talented musical, variety show is appropriately described as “Glee” with a kick!

This all-day event, Celebration of Freedom has something for the whole family, including:

  • City-wide Parade, which starts at 10 AM from Crowley High School, going along Main Street ending at Bicentennial Park.
  • All-American Baby Contest
  • Crowley Idol Competition
  • Crowley Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
  • Main musical event: National Troupe Group Vocal Trash performance at 8 PM
  • Military Activities i.e. Air Force Flyovers and Veterans’ Recognition
  • Spectacular Fireworks display at dusk

The last sounds before the big blasts will come from Vocal Trash, as they perform right before the fireworks show, which starts at 9:30 PM over Bicentennial Park.

Shotwell, who helps organize the event every year, says the city purposely sets the Celebration of Freedom on the Saturday after the Fourth because many families travel elsewhere over the holiday.

”This gives them an opportunity to have another Fourth of July,” he said.

The celebration is not only a fun event but honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard our national freedom. “We’re a small town, but we really support our veterans,” Shotwell said.

Steve Linder, creator of Vocal Trash, described why he wanted to honor the veterans at the Celebration of Freedom in Crowley this year:

“It is a true honor to be headlining for such a tremendous event. Vocal Trash has never taken the simple freedoms that we, as Americans, have been blessed with for granted. As entertainers, the least we can do is spread a message of faith, patriotism and all things positive throughout this great country. This, too, is a remarkable freedom made possible by the men and women of our military willing to give all.”

Certainly, people from across northern Texas will be proud to see one of their own performing live in the Lone Star state during the city’s biggest celebration of the year. It will be one you won’t want to miss.

For additional event information, please contact (817) 297-2201, Ext. 4000

For more information or interviews contact Steve Linder of Vocal Trash.

NEW WHEELS FOR TOP GRADES

Justin, TX – Northwest ISD Stadium – The Northwest Independent School District is rewarding students with good grades in core classes by giving them a chance to win a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro. Drawing will start at 9:30 AM on Friday, May 20, 2011 at Northwest ISD Stadium (1937 Texan Drive, Justin, TX.) Local eco-entertainers and national touring group, Vocal Trash will emcee at this year’s third annual Car Giveaway and concert. Over 4,000 students and faculty will be in attendance at this exciting event!

Students who excel in learning and attendance will receive more tickets and more chances to win prizes and meet Vocal Trash on stage. The first prize winner will hold the keys to a new Camaro, followed by 24 runner-up winners of the new Dell Streak 7 Touch Screen Tablets. Vocal Trash will keep the energy flowing by announcing student names of the Tablets, holding the final ticket winner of the Camaro until the very end.

To qualify for this incentive program, students of NISD must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be enrolled at Northwest High School, Byron Nelson High School, or Steele Accelerated High School from October 29, 2010 through June 3, 2011
  • At least a grade of 70 and higher
  • Perfect attendance, no tardies
  • Placement in DAEP during the school year will disqualify them from participation

“We are so pumped to have Vocal Trash emcee and perform at our NISD Annual Car Giveaway! They will definitely take it to the next level!” said Kim Schultz, Northwest Independent School District Partners in Education, Program Specialist.

“After being mesmerized by their performance in Roanoke (Texas) and watching their kid-friendly, education-based, high-energy show – I knew that this was the missing piece to take the Northwest ISD Partners in Education Car Giveaway to unprecedented heights.”

The incentive program is just one way to motivate and excite teenagers to stay in high school and build a solid education. Schultz explains how the program was conceived:

“Our annual student incentive program is a cooperative relationship between NISD Partners in Education and local sponsors. The addition of Vocal Trash is sure to bring the crowd and state attention we are looking for to expand this event in the future.” Schultz adds.

For more information or interviews contact Steve Linder of Vocal Trash (info below).

Please contact Lesley Weaver at 817-215-0056 or Emily Olson at 817-215-0169 if you plan to attend.

LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS GOING “GREEN” THIS WEEK, CONTEST WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED FRIDAY

Ft.. Worth, TX – Celebrating Earth Day a little late due to TAKS testing, Eagle Mountain Elementary is running their ‘EME is Going Green’ this week, and aims to make the younger generation more aware of recycling, reducing, and reusing, in their everyday lives.

Getting students to take a hands-on approach, they are being encouraged to participate in a recycling contest (collecting chip bags, juice boxes and candy wrappers). The contest is open to the entire school and participation is at grade level. Ft. Worth’s local eco-entertainers, Vocal Trash will perform as the event’s Grand Finale as a special treat for the kids and teachers alike. The winners of this competition will get to meet members of Vocal Trash in person as well as a photo, and treated to a special song.

With this being their third visit to Fort Worth’s Eagle Mountain Elementary school in as many years, Vocal Trash’s appearance at this school could be called an annual appearance now to spread the good work about recycling in their own unique manner on Friday morning, May 6, 2011.

Apart from the competition, and in conjunction with Vocal Trash, the school has also started a drive in order to collect paper products and items like old laser & inkjet cartridges, old cell phones, PDAs, and laptops; the proceeds from these products being recycled or reused will go to charity or back to the school. A positive aspect about this drive is that it is spreading beyond the confines of the school, with parents, grandparents, siblings from other schools, and neighbors all being a part of it.

Vocal Trash has a history of performing for schools. According to Steve Linder, the group’s creator, “these are great platforms to reach out to young minds and help create that all important awareness.”

It’s not just the students who are looking forward to the Vocal Trash stage show, teachers and other staff members are also waiting with bated breath. Pamela English, the school’s 4th grade science teacher, when asked about this performance by Vocal Trash, said, “I cannot think of a better program to promote recycling and helping the environment. The added benefit is the kids and teachers love it. I get asked on an almost weekly basis each year when is Vocal Trash coming back. It is definitely one of the highlights of our school year!”

Kelsey Rae, co-owner of Vocal Trash and lead talent says, “What Eagle Mountain Elementary is doing is exactly why we started this movement. Allowing kids to use their imagination and create ways to reduce, reuse or recycle their trash. Teaching them to ‘THINK… before they throw it away!’ We are looking forward to this performance as much as the school is.”

For more information or interviews contact Steve Linder of Vocal Trash (info below).

For school questions about “EME is Going Green” contact Pamela English 940-231-0417 or email: penglish@ems-isd.net.

LOCAL YOUTH FOUNDATION ENLISTS VOCAL TRASH FOR A NIGHT TO LAUGH OUT LOUD

Lubbock, TX at the Cactus Theater – Helping children in need is no laughing matter but this year a local youth foundation is helping children and raising funds for neighborhood outreach organizations in Lubbock, Texas.

The Lubbock Area Foundation Young Leader’s Society brings laughter and levity to its annual “Night to Laugh Out Loud” fundraising event, guaranteed to have the audience dancing, singing, and laughing to the high-octane stage show from national touring group Vocal Trash.

Vocal Trash will perform on behalf of The Lubbock Area Foundation at the Cactus Theater on Friday, April 8, 2011. The evening coincides with the 33rd Annual Lubbock Arts Festival where jazz singer Hannah Jackson will also perform the pre-show. Proceeds from the event will benefit local organizations providing outreach such as: CASA of the South Plains and the Lubbock Children’s Health Clinic. For the last six years, the Young Leaders Fund has provided over $13,000 to local children’s non-profit organizations.

Vocal Trash has a history of bringing their variety show of tight acappella harmonies, industrial “Stomp” style drumming and award winning break dancers to several charitable venues nationwide (most recently Plano, TX to kick-off This Side Up and Ft. Worth, TX to celebrate the volunteers of the Cowtown Great American Cleanup).

When Michelle Tosi-Stephens, Director of Educational Initiatives for the Lubbock Area Foundation, saw the group perform she knew the Foundation and Vocal Trash were a perfect fit for this year’s fundraiser: “The Vocal Trash show is unbelievable! After seeing their performance at a convention, I knew I had to bring them to Lubbock. There’s nothing else like it!”

She said enlisting Vocal Trash was essential to gain greater exposure within the Lubbock community and announce their mission toward health and social outreach for disadvantaged children. She also said that their mission to uplift bodies and hearts is comparable to that of the Lubbock Area Foundation and the fact that Vocal Trash is based in Fort Worth speaks volumes to their commitment to the people of Texas.

Vocal Trash creator, Steve Linder agrees, “Our mission is to utilize music and dance to energize positive activity, whether it’s helping others in need or in our main mission of saving our planet from recyclable trash.”

If you would like to “Laugh Out Loud” and help kids in the area call the Cactus Theater (806)762-3233, to get your tickets before they sell out. You will want to “Laugh Out Loud” with a friend at $80 for two tickets, or $50 for a single ticket.

Vocal Trash is available for interviews before or during the event. We’d love for you to cover the event live!

VOCAL TRASH BRINGS BOOST TO ITS HOMETOWN, COWTOWN CLEANUP

Trinity Park, Ft. Worth, TX – The party is in Cowtown this year; that is the “Keep Fort Worth Beautiful” cleanup party where volunteers are celebrated with the high octane, “stomp-style” stage show, Vocal Trash. Just in time for spring cleaning, Vocal Trash kicks the beat up to citywide litter in their home of Fort Worth.

This is the first time the national touring group Vocal Trash, has been enlisted by their hometown for the 26th annual Cowtown Great American Cleanup, the largest community event in the nation that brought over 4,700 volunteers last year to help keep Fort Worth beautiful.

This year’s volunteer celebration will take place at Trinity Park on April 2, 2011 at noon after all volunteers have cleaned up their designated areas. Volunteers can choose to meet at these three designated trash pick-up sites:

  • Marine Creek Ranch, 5403 Paloma Blanca
  • Hazel Harvey Peace Center, 818 Missouri Ave.
  • Lake Arlington at Eugene McCray Park, 3449 Quail Rd.

Clean up will start at 9 AM and go till noon at three sites. Cleanup volunteers can also choose to form their own groups and meet at a designated site within the district during those times. Everyone will be invited to join the party at Trinity Park afterward.

Commercial Recycling and Beautification Coordinator Debbie Branch said having a hometown band that believes in environmental stability is important to the local community at this year’s event:

“When I discovered that Vocal Trash cared about taking care of the environment and had instruments made from recycled material in addition to putting on a fabulous show – I knew they were the troupe we wanted to entertain us at the volunteer celebration.”

Branch said to break last year’s record of 4,700 participants they are holding a Twitter contest to see who can tweet the event. Volunteers can spread the word by tweeting with the hash tag #CowtownCleanup.

“Everyone who sends that text will be entered into a drawing– we’ll pick the winners at the celebration,” Branch said. Prizes will range from passes to the Japanese Garden, or Log Cabin Village, to free rounds of golf or restaurant dinners.

Online registration for the Cowtown Cleanup will continue until Friday, but walk-up registration will be accepted during the supply pickup at Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods the day before the main event.

Your audience won’t want to miss this year’s party and keep Fort Worth beautiful by lending a helping hand, grabbing their friends on Twitter and joining the fun at Trinity Park on April 2nd at noon for Vocal Trash!

Vocal Trash is available for interviews before or during the 26th annual Cowtown Great American Cleanup. We’d love for you to cover the event live!