Australia Network Newsline feature on Kabul rock school
(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, August 20, 2013 ) St. Paul, MN -- When the Taliban seized control of Kabul, Afghanistan in 1996, it banned most forms of music. That ban remained in place for five years, until the Taliban's regime was toppled in 2001. That was also the year that the U.S. entered the Afghan war and the Afghani youth began to be influenced by Western culture; including the music of the West.
10 years later, enter Kabul's very own Jack Black, Humayun Zadran. Zadran opened Rock School Kabul to provide the youth of Afghanistan a place to meet, learn music, escape the war and succeed in positive ways to express and communicate. In an interview with USA Today in October 2012 Zadran told the newspaper, "The idea (to open the school) came from me not being able to learn guitar myself when I was growing up because there was no school around me or any music institution which I could go to."
Zadran and his Rock School have captured the attention of the Western media, with articles appearing in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. It was a benefit concert in L.A. produced by Sound Studies Projects that caught the attention of MAC Music Accessories staff.
Michael Herrman, an advocate for Sound Studies Projects and Rock School Kabul, shared his personal experience. "I strongly believe that Rock School Kabul is making a huge difference for youth in Kabul, Afghanistan. Having taught at the school, I've witnessed first hand, the transformational power that comes with the freedom to explore this avenue of expression."
"Music is the answer," says Hermann. "In a country where almost 50% of the population is under the age of 15 years old, empowering them with a channel of expression through music is the true way to make a difference and we really appreciate all the donations from companies and individuals alike who are helping us achieve our peaceful mission in Kabul."
"After we heard the story of Rock School Kabul we knew we had to help," said MAC Music Accessories Company spokesperson Chad Anderson. "If just one Afghani youth selects music over terrorism, the world will be better. Since Rock School Kabul currently relies on donations in order to operate, MAC has donated a supply of our SpeedPro Clip On Guitar Tuners which Michael Herrman will deliver to Rock School Kabul when he returns there next Wednesday."
About MAC Music Accessories Company
MAC Music Accessories is a Minnesota based company started by a group of musicians. The company manufactures and retails simple and reliable accessories for guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. Available exclusively online at Amazon.com, MAC Music Accessories recently introduced the first-ever clip-on guitar tuner with a three-year guarantee.
