SANTA BARBARA – Grammy Award winning Los Lonely Boys played a special concert at La Cumbre Junior High on Sunday night to help raise money for the school's performing arts program.
This was the first time Los Lonely Boys performed at a school and the band was glad to help with the benefit concert that raised money for instruments and equipment for the music and art department.
"Thank you ladies and gentlemen for coming tonight and thank you for having Los Lonely Boys here for the fundraiser for La Cumbre Junior High School," said Bassist JoJo Garza during the concert. "We're very honored to be here with y'all."
Music and the arts are popular at the school. To showcase the talent, the student drum line opened the concert. However, for every three students who want to play the drums, only one will get the chance.
"And one of the first checks we'll be writing after this benefit is for more drums," said Principal Jo Ann Caines to an applauding crowd on Sunday. "We need more drums!"
The cause resonated with the Grammy Award winning band. The group of three brothers did not grow up privileged, just like many of the students at La Cumbre.
"To be apart of something special and that great, it's amazing with these kids and to bring something to these children," said Henry Garza, Los Lonely Boys guitarist.
Five-hundred fifty students attend La Cumbre Junior High and 80 percent of them live in poverty. Without the performing arts department, many of them would not have the opportunity to pick up an instrument.
"Our students can't afford private lessons and the extras so we do our best to provide it here and encourage them into music in high school as well," said Principal Caines.
Caines said for many, performing arts is the "hook" that keeps kids focused on school and the fundraiser will help them continue providing the program that's been one of the first to go during budget cuts.
It's not yet known how much money was raised during the concert, but the funds will be spent to purchase instruments and equipment.
"Every single cent," said Caines.
