The National Music Foundation closed its doors on December 31, 2008.

The organization was founded as the Starlite Starbrite Foundation by Joey Dee, Lois Lee, and Allen and Judith Haimes. The name was later changed to The Foundation for the Love of Rock 'n' Roll. In 1991 it became The National Music Foundation, when Dick Clark became Chairman of the Board and Gloria Pennington became President and CEO.

With Gloria's decision to retire after sixteen years, the Board of Directors has decided to cease operations.

Since its inception the Foundation has devoted its energies to preserving and celebrating American music, especially through our American Music Education Initiative, which provided grants to teachers who used American music in their classrooms. We have had the pleasure and honor of working with musicians, educators and volunteers from all over the United States.

We are extremely grateful to Dick Clark, who was our Chairman of the Board for ten years and whose guidance and support were invaluable; to Ed Salamon, who chaired the board as we developed and implemented the American Music Education Initiative; to Travis Tritt, Honorary Chairman of the American Music Education Initiative; to all of the artists, industry leaders and music lovers who served on our board of directors; to the teachers who shared their lesson plans with us; to our staff, who worked long hours and were always willing to do more; to our many supporters; and especially to the volunteers who contributed their time, effort and passion to make our work possible.

Through the combined efforts of all of these individuals we were able to give grants to teachers all over the United States, and help teachers everywhere bring American music to their students.

Gloria Pennington
President and CEO

Barry Glenn
Chairman of the Board

Jacquelyn Veltman
Secretary

Thomas Heany
Director of Programming