The 11th annual Music Therapy Ride will take place on September 8, 2012. All motorcycles and cars will roll out from the Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino at 9:30am and will be escorted by the VPD’s Motorcycle Drill Team to Harrison Hot Springs’ Lakeside Café, where a barbeque lunch, live auction and special acoustic performance by 54-40 will take place.
The Music Therapy Ride Committee is pleased to announce 5440, Sophie Simmons, Nick Simmons and Shannon Tweed as celebrity guests for the 2012 Music Therapy Ride on Saturday, September 8, 2012.
Established by members of the Vancouver music industry with representatives from booking agencies, radio stations, record labels, talent managers, concert promoters and recording artists, the Music Therapy Ride is a charity ride designed to raise funds for the community-based music therapy services in British Columbia.
Supporters of the Music Therapy Ride include The Vancouver Police Department’s Motorcycle Drill Team, who will escort the ride to Harrison Hot Springs; Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino, who will provide a departure point and breakfast for all riders; Vancouver Ducati BMW; Carter Motorsports; Trev Deeley Harley Davidson; Urban Wasp; Great Canadian Gaming Corporation; and a host of generous community sponsors. Celebrity guests have included Chin Injeti, Colin James, Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida, Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies, Jann Arden, Brent Butt and many more.
Iconic Canadian rock band 54-40 is celebrating their thirty-year anniversary. Lead by chief songwriter Neil Osborne, 54-40 is one of the most important popular music groups to emerge from the Canadian cultural landscape. They have an unbelievable catalogue of hit songs, a legacy of gold and platinum albums and an outstanding reputation for their live performances that carries through to this day.
Sophie, Nick and Shannon Tweed-Simmons are best known for their hit reality television series, “Gene Simmons Family Jewels”. Earlier this year, Sophie became involved with Metro Vancouver’s first child protection centre, Sophie’s Place, which was named after Sophie and is now open in Surrey, BC. Nick graduated from Pitzer College in California with Honours in English and World Literature. He is a Screen Actors Guild member, has appeared in a Dr. Pepper commercial and has performed voiceover work. Canadian-born Shannon Tweed is an actress, model, mother and wife. She added writer to her list of accomplishments with the release of her autobiography, Kiss and Tell.
Sophie Simmons says, “Music is nourishment for the soul and the MTR ride provides much-needed funds for music therapy programs in B.C. My family and I are proud and honoured to assist in the ride and help raise awareness for this very important initiative.”
As a result of ten years of dedication, support and generosity, the Music Therapy Ride has raised over $500,000 for the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund. Proceeds of this year’s ride will go to the launch of “Band Wagon 2” – a mobile recording studio that will tour various care facilities throughout the lower mainland.
Also of note, the early bird rate has been extended. Register soon and receive an early bird rate of $99.00 per bike.
For information on how to register or to make a donation, visit http://www.musictherapyride.org.