James Burton Foundation

Hes played alongside everyone from Elvis Presley to Rick Nelson. And now, James Burton is strumming his guitar with kids. "God has blessed me with my career and my business. He gave me a wonderful talent that I wanted to pass back to the kids." Burton hopes that the notes wont just fill their ears, but that it will will fill their lives with perfect harmony. "Its good for their mind soul and body. Its great therapy. Its wonderful." His foundation, Kids R Rockin, donates guitars to local schools and hospitals. The program is changing lives by giving the gift of music. Nicole Lawrence, a fourth grader at Summerfield Elementary says, "Its changed my attitude on how I feel about myself and my life." Last year, the festival brought in enough money to purchase 600 guitars for local kids. This year, 1200 of them will be placed in the hands of young musicians like Lawrence, "I like learning all this stuff because when I get older I hope to become famous." These instruments are more than something that just makes a sweet sound...It gives the kids something to strive for. "Its just amazing because you get this guitar and your like, wow, I got it. And I know I have to work hard for it so I have to put alot of effort into it." And for Mr. Burton, thats music to his ears. "Its so heart warming. Its wonderful and its a blessing. When they come up and hug me and say, thank you Mr. Burton. Thats it. That does it."