At the first ever Little Kids Rock Family Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith was given the "Livin the Dream" award as the event reeled in over $85,000 to provide music education for kids and even involved a jam session with Smith and the little rockers.
The Family Jam occurred last week at Facebook's headquarters where Smith appeared to accepted the award that was created in the memory of Josef Desimone, Facebook's former head chef who passed away in 2013 after a motorcycle accident.
Smith jammed onstage alongside kid rockers and young Chili Peppers fans and told Rolling Stone how important charity and support is. "Music has been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember, and it's pretty cool to be in a position to give back," the drummer said. "Thanks to Little Kids Rock for taking the lead and building such an amazing organization.
"It's so important to keep music education alive in our schools, and to dedicate resources to giving back to the next generation of music makers," Smith explains. "I'm committed to doing everything I can to support this effort, and Saturday's event at Facebook was an absolute blast. Who knows - maybe some of the kids we jammed with will be the next Red Hot Chili Peppers!"
The video clip highlights the Family Jam event, including Smith and Little Kids Rock performing a rendition of Red Hot Chili Peppers 2002 hit track, "Can't Stop." "Music is the lifeblood of our culture and music has saved my life many times over," Smith says in the clip. "Everyone should have the opportunity to be involved, in some way, in music."
The drummer, who has become a focal enthusiast and fundraiser for music education, stopped by The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon to battle look-a-like Will Ferrell behind the drums in order to raise money for Little Kids Rock and Cancer for College, notes Diffuser. Smith was also involved in a talent show at the White House to raise knowledge for education in the arts.
