Now in its 21st year, the OWC-sponsored John Lennon Educational Tour Bus has spent most of the past two decades logging hundreds of thousands of miles providing students with hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art mobile audio/video recording studio. (A tour that would make even the most iconic of 1960s rock bands proud.)
Young artists have created original songs and videos on the Lennon Bus with the best hardware that is available for musicians and videographers alike.
It’s Up to You, New York!
Beginning Sept. 13, the Lennon Bus temporarily tapped the brakes on its tour to open up its month-long residency in and around the boroughs New York City. The residency kicked off with the OWC-hosted “Come Together NYC” event, which culminated in Ringo Starr and his All-Starr’s Band’s concert at Radio City Music Hall. (See more photos from the event here)
OWC, the long time and presenting sponsor of the JLB was on hand for the kickoff event with OWC founder and CEO Larry O’Connor on hand. While at the event, Team OWC was able to meet with Yoko Ono Lennon, Ringo Starr and actor Jeff Bridges, where they discussed the valuable mission of the Lennon Bus.
“We’re still amazed by the trip that we had with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus in New York City. It was the opportunity of a lifetime meeting Ringo, Yoko and Jeff Bridges, and all the great people spreading the importance of music education and arts,” O’Connor said.
Prize of a Lifetime
In addition to meeting with the Lennon Bus team and friends, the OWC CEO hosted “Come Together with OWC in NYC” giveaway winner Bruce Mandel (seen below) throughout the events. Mandel took home an OWC prize package worth thousands of dollars including a seat at Starr’s concert.
Mandel had this to say after the experience in New York: “We are just about recovered from our Come Together with OWC in NYC adventure. As they say in Beatle-land, it was FABulous! Peace and Love!”
#15WORDS
In addition to the residency and giveaway, OWC has partnered with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus to launch a 15-episode video mini-series titled #15WORDS. The series captures the reactions of individuals from differing backgrounds discussing 15 hot topic words. It was developed with Educational-tech partner Nearpod.
#15WORDS launched this week with a video featuring RZA of Wu-Tang Clan. The series launched with an episode featuring the word PEACE to coincide with International Peace Day on Sept. 21. The series will include episodes featuring the words TRUTH, FAMILY, LOVE, BELIEF and more. Additional artists supporting the program include Hanson, Pussy Riot and Yoko Ono Lennon.
Each weekly video will offer the perspective of the artists and their response to the weekly word. Viewers are encouraged to respond with their own thoughts by commenting and tagging #15WORDS. Responses can be in the form of text, video, audio, drawings, etc., via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
OWC would like to thanks all of the Lennon Bus team members and supporters for helping make each effort great. And we look forward to what will come over the next two weeks of the residency and beyond!
Find out more about the Lennon Bus at: lennonbus.org.
