Where Rock ‘n Roll Meets Reality

With the house lights down and music pounding from the stage, students one-by-one lifted cell phones into the air. Just like lighters of days gone by, this cell phone tribute seemed to draw an invisible bond between the rockers on stage and the audience of nearly 1,000 high school students packed into George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium. But unlike other concerts, this band delivered more than a message with their music. Lead singer Gooding stopped the show after a set and launched into a multi-media presentation of the fundamentals of finance – all part of a tour for the non-profit Funding the Future.

“I think it was a surprise for the kids,” explained Traci Richmond of The Meakem Group who sponsored two shows for Montgomery County, MD students on the Funding the Future tour. “Once they realized the quality of the music and the power of the musical presentation, they were really engaged. There were serious-minded kids that were ready to listen, but there were some kids that could have blown it off. They didn’t. They were so impressed by Gooding that they hung on his every word.”

Students at The Bullis School in Potomac, MD were enthusiastic as well. Many stayed after the presentation to get autographs or ask questions that had not wanted to voice during the Question-and-Answer portion of the show. Bullis teachers were eager to follow-up on the principles Gooding discussed when they returned to their classrooms.

Mixing money and music may seem unusual, but it’s a combination that Gooding has delivered over and over to young audiences coast to coast. The band uses the rock stage as a platform to educate kids about financial literacy – from the credit card trap to celebrities frittering away fortunes. “Control your money or it’s going to control you,” Gooding declared to the crowd of Maryland students. “We want to see these communities really realize that if you’re saving a little bit at a time, you can empower people, you can turn lives around.”

The team at The Meakem Group is passionate about supporting Funding the Future and other financial literacy projects for kids. “This isn’t something you can learn in one single moment,” explained Traci Richmond. “It takes repetition and reinforcement. If they can get it from their parents, get it at school, and have it brought home by this charismatic musician, the message can really have an impact.”

Raymond James is not affiliated with Gooding or the Funding the Future organization. Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members.