'Before the Goldrush' Revisits Classic Singer-Songwriters to Benefit Teach For America

– (Alicia Wiley) among 26 contemporary music artists paying homage to
James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, and others –

Louisville, Ky., October 7, 2008—In a tribute to the great singer-songwriters who influence their music and the teachers who helped open the doors to their creativity, 26 contemporary singer-songwriters contribute recordings to Before the Goldrush , a new project benefiting Teach For America.

Before the Goldrush pays tribute to artists and mentors alike with a collection of
tracks performed by contemporary musicians in homage to the singer- songwriters who inspire them. Contributions include songs written by James Taylor, Leonard Cohen, Tim Buckley, Joni Mitchell, and others who laid the groundwork for today's generation of musicians.

"It's rare to meet an artist whose creativity wasn't buoyed by a teacher," said Gary Guthrie, the project's producer. "Whether it was an art teacher, band director, literature professor, speech coach, or the kindergarten teacher who told them that it was OK to color outside the lines, there's usually someone who provided a key with which to open the artistic soul."

A virtual open call was made to singer-songwriters around the world to participate in the project. Some are the children of teachers, some are teachers themselves, but all believe in the importance of great teachers in shaping the next generation.

Many of those in the participating musicians' audiences are recent college graduates who have joined the Teach For America corps. Teach For America's corps members commit two years to teach in under-resourced public schools and become lifelong leaders in the pursuit of educational excellence for all children.

Before the Goldrush features tracks from established artists and those whose work is gaining traction through touring and song placement on TV shows and in movies. A complete list of the artists and their tracks is attached.

Before the Goldrush is a digital-only release. It will be available October go to Teach For America. Contact information:
exclusively through Amazon.com, with other music e-tailers to follow. All profits

Alicia Wiley c/o Gary Taylor Management gary_taylor@shaw.ca
Gary Guthrie, Project Producer; Brett Shepherd, Project Coordinator for A Nest of Eggs llc: beforethegoldrush@anestofeggs.com


Trevor Stutz for Teach For America: trevor.stutz@teachforamerica.org Complete artist information, links, and logos are available in the CD press kit. About Teach For America Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates
who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. This year, 6,200 corps members are teaching in over 1,600 schools in 29 regions across the country while more than 14,000 Teach For America alumni continue working from inside and outside the field of education for the fundamental changes necessary to ensure educational excellence and equity. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org .

"Before the Goldrush" – Artist and Track List
Alicia Wiley Little Green Joni Mitchell
Ana Egge Johnny's Garden Stephen Stills & Manassas Dawn Landes Dear Boy Paul and Linda McCartney
Carey Ott Twilight The Band
Jake Newton Lover's Cross Jim Croce Jim Boggia Girl The Beatles John Mann Just Like a Woman Bob Dylan Kassia Conway Today Jefferson Airplane Korby Lenker Heart of Gold Neil Young Matt the Electrician Duncan Paul Simon Neko Case Bowling Green Everly Brothers/Jesse Winchester Nels Andrews I Hope I Don't Fall in Love with You Tom Waits
Okkervil River Blonde in the Bleachers Joni Mitchell Pete & J America Simon & Garfunkel
Pieta Brown Birds Neil Young
Rebecca Elliott You're My Home Billy Joel Sarah Kramer It Be Your Will Leonard Cohen Shane Alexander Love Song Elton John Teneia Sanders Once I Was Tim Buckley The Swell Season Into the Mystic Van Morrison Tracy Bonham In My Heart Bill Withers Tyler James Shiver Me Timbers Tom Waits Vandaveer Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye Leonard Cohen
Wendy Newcomer Songbird Fleetwood Mac Willoughby I'm Losing You John Lennon William Fitzsimmons You Can Close Your Eyes James Taylor