- April 25, 2024
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Local musician Trae Pierce and Anthony Wild, of Kids Rock the Nation, have partnered up to help get more instruments in the hands of deserving children. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Local musician Trae Pierce and Anthony Wild, of Kids Rock the Nation, show off the bass guitar that will be raffled this Saturday. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Trae Pierce started touring when he was just 13 years old. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Local musician Trae Pierce and 12-year-old Hunter, of Ormond Beach. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Trae Pierce signs Hunter's bass guitar. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Trae Pierce and the T-Stones band finds inspiration through a variety of music styles.
They're a little country, a little rock, with some pop and hip-hop vibes, all a result of their diverse backgrounds. The band is composed of four-time Grammy award-winning bassist Trae Pierce, his son and lead singer Rae, drummer Felix Molina and guitarist Grant Chase Jones, and their new single, "Be Anything," is a union of what makes each of the band members different.
“It was long time for us to figure out a song that could capture all of us where we were all satisfied," said Pierce, the band's leader and four-time Grammy award-winning bassist.
As they searched for locations to film their new music video, they came upon Cassen Park in Ormond Beach. Pierce asked to pull over, and a segment was recorded. Another portion of the music video was recorder near Tomoka State Park.
The band is hosting a single release party at 9 p.m., Saturday, March 6 at Beachside Tarven, located at 690 E. 3rd Ave. in New Smyrna Beach, where they will also raffle one of Pierce's bass guitars, signed by all members of the band, with proceeds benefiting Kids Rock the Nation, a Palm Coast-based program led by Anthony Wild that helps cultivate the love of music in children by donating instruments to schools and individuals. Raffle tickets are being sold on the Trae Pierce and the T-Stones Facebook page.
Pierce and Wild have known each other for a while, but this is the first time they will be partnering to benefit local children.
It's an effort Wild said gets kids off the street and gives them a purpose. A man of faith, Wild said he was blessed with an opportunity to help children after almost losing his life to cancer.
“I feel like God’s got a hand on what I’m doing," Wild said.
Ormond Beach resident Jacquelyn Rivers, a photographer with the band, has seen the change music can do in children. Her 12-year-old son Hunter received a bass guitar from Kids Rock the Nation five weeks ago.
From a single mom's perspective, it's hard when all three of your children want to have instruments, she said. Kids Rock the Nation made that possible for her son. The first night he came home with the bass, he stayed up all night practicing and watching videos on YouTube.
“I’m overjoyed that he enjoys it," Rivers said. "He picked it up so quickly, and he’s a little bit on the shy end right now…He comes alive, when he’s in that room with [his instructor].”
Pierce started touring when he was just 13 years old. He has toured with James Brown, Flo Rida, Ohio Players and the Blind Boys of Alabama, whom Pierce won the Grammys with.
He didn't have a formal instructor growing up. His mother was a piano player, and so he started on that instrument first before moving on to guitar, and then discovering the bass guitar. He played with his neighbor a bit, but most of what he knew at 13 was self-taught. It's why he believes children should be exposed to and have access to all types of music.
“I think it’s real important because a lot of kids around here want to play music, but they don’t have the opportunity or the avenue to," Pierce said.
That's what Kids Rock the Nation aims to do. According to a press release, the program recently gifted Wadsworth Elementary in Palm Coast with 10 keyboards, thanks to a donation by attorney Paul Katz.
"Our mission is to promote self esteem through music," Wild said. "We are grateful for all donations, especially in this tough time of COVID-19. We appreciate the Trae Pierce and the T-Stones band for this contribution, and continue to make kids smile and be able to express themselves musically."
