Where'd All the Good People Go?
Keeping it Green on the Jack Johnson Tour

Jack Johnson w/RtE President Marc Ross

What was even more remarkable about this tour were the wonderful practices that Jack, his wife and manager, Kim, and the crew implemented for this historic tour. Consider the following:

• As a member of 1% For the Planet since 2003, Jack committed to give 1% of the tour revenues to environmental organizations certified by 1%FTP. RtE, as a member of 1%FTP, was a lucky recipient of some of those proceeds from the Santa Barbara show on August 10, 2005.
• Biodiesel. All tour busses and trucks associated with the tour were converted to utilize biodiesel. Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.
• Eco-Friendly Tour Merchandise – All shirts on the tour were made from organic cotton (sweatshop free) and all posters and CDs were printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper.
• Local environmental groups certified by 1%FTP were on hand at several shows, joining RtE to create greater environmental awareness amongst the patrons.
• Recycling and Food Donations – The tour catering crew recycled all food and beverage containers with leftovers being turned over to local homeless shelters. In addition, the tour encouraged venues to engage in recycling (and at some stops, actually set up recycling stations).
• CO2 Offsets – remaining emissions will be calculated and offset with wind credits purchased from the Native Energy Fund, resulting in a “climate-neutral” rating for the tour.
• Organics – wherever possible the caterers and crew purchased locally grown organic food.

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We Get By With (more than) a Little Help From Our Friends!

Kaylah Ross hands out free RtE download cards.

We would like to send a huge thank you to our three Outreach Interns and tour companions – Monique Riggs, Sarah Engel and Matthew Schmidt – who spent weeks on the road traveling around the country with Executive Director Marc Ross. Thanks also to our hardworking Volunteer Staff around the country and the volunteers who came out to help us locally at shows. Our California crew, led by Tree Plant, included Jason Lewis, Jason Jennings, Chelsi Koster, Stacey Hart, Jim Anderson, Jeanne Furth, Lisa Prigozen, Kerri Kimberley, Tony Brown, Jill Sheldon, Adrienne Mansanares, Dan Weiss, Randi Motson, Derek Bodkin, and Kristen LaBonte; our Colorado crew, led by Lori Gray, included Jennings Orcutt, Kyle Buss, Joe Campe, Andrew Maurer, Erik Larson, Ryan Lappi, Donna DuBois, Don Combee, Mike Resch, Elisabeth Beemer, Ben Erickson, Garret Sharpe, Magda Denes, Tim Hurst, Janet Dicks, and Jeni Peterson; our NE crew, led by Sean McNamara, included Ashley Contompasis, Justin Rozdolski, Tom Bushroe, Andrea Jacobsen, Dave Glazich, Kyle Murphy, Sara Wolfson, Jim and Kay Spillane, Karen Outland, Jeanette Corvino, Allison Biele; our new crew in the Midwest, led by Ryan Camp and Garrett Honeycutt, as well as tour volunteers Vanessa Hrbek, Sara Pekar, Chandra Ruff, Sarah Chrosniak, Niall Elson, Christine MacArthur, and Len Cooper .

Volunteers are a critical component to our work and we thank you for all you have done to help Rock the Earth! We are always looking for new volunteers to help with anything from administrative tasks and tabling events to community outreach and volunteer coordination. If you are interested in helping Rock the Earth, please email Lori at Membership@RockTheEarth.net.

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Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Showdown
From our friends at Defenders of Wildlife

Last spring, Congress narrowly passed a Budget Resolution that paves the way for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Now the final vote to protect the nation's greatest wildlife sanctuary looms near. In the next few weeks, the House and the Senate will vote on the Budget Reconciliation Bill, the final vote in the budget process. The Budget Reconciliation Bill will formally legalize drilling for oil in the Arctic Refuge!

There are some places that should be off-limits to oil drilling and industrial development, and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of them. The Arctic Wildlife Refuge is home to countless wildlife -- from the great predators like the polar bear to the Porcupine Herd, one of the largest caribou herds in North America. Drilling would devastate one of America's last great wild places. And, contrary to claims from the pro-drilling lobby, it would do nothing to alleviate high gas prices. Oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge wouldn't hit the market for 10 years and even then would provide less than a one-year supply! We have a moral responsibility to save wild places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for future generations. That's why our country has remained committed to its protection for nearly 50 years.

On September 20th, thousands of concerned citizens gathered on the West Lawn of the US Capitol to tell Congress to keep the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge off-limits to oil drilling. In addition to gathering for a program with well-known speakers and advocates, citizens were encouraged to storm the Hill visiting the offices of your members of Congress to tell them face-to-face that you care about protecting America's Arctic Refuge.

Please join with those who took to the Hill last week -- call your Senators and your Representative and urge them to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by rejecting the forthcoming Budget Reconciliation Bill.

Help Save the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

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ALO's Dan Lebowitz Rocks the Earth

Dan Liebowitz plays guitar and percussion with the San Francisco Bay Area band, Animal Liberation Orchestra (a/k/a ALO). No, they are not some radical animal rights group, but just a bunch of guys who want their audience to "free their inner animal and get down." From guitar solos that sweep the gamut of his instrument's range without sacrificing its natural expressiveness, to rhythmic riffs that chank along with the steadiness of a jackhammer, Dan's playing is as notable for its variety as its laid-back execution. When Dan’s not busy with ALO, he can be seen performing with numerous groups as both a guitarist and a percussionist.

This past summer ALO found itself opening for college friend and co-collaborator, Jack Johnson, and is right now preparing for a massive cross-country fall tour of their own in support of their new album, Fly Between Falls.

RtE: What environmental issue(s) do you consider to be the most critical at this time?

So many different issues come to mind, and it is hard to say which is the most critical. Being that I live in a city, the most relevant issue to me has been automobile congestion and pollution. We've all seen how traffic is getting worse and experienced the pollution that comes with it.

Unfortunately, this issue has proven to be a difficult one to tackle. The fact is that people love the freedom that a car affords them. Put simply, people don't want to give up their ability to go wherever they want, whenever they want. It is unrealistic to expect that people would give up their automobiles all together. On the bright side, many people share vehicles, as my wife and I do. Besides myself, I know a lot of folks that are making an effort to use public transportation whenever they can. More people are buying hybrid vehicles than ever, while many touring musicians are turning to alternative fuel sources such as bio-diesel and veggie oil.

The tour we just finished with Jack Johnson was a bio-diesel tour which included five buses and four 18-wheelers. There is still a long way to go and there are definitely more cars hitting the streets than coming off of them. Hopefully, with alternative fuel research and most importantly, a diversity of fuel types, we'll be able to turn things around.

RtE: What has inspired you to combine environmental activism with your music?

ALO got its start playing weekly "Rain Forest Thursday" shows, organized by our manager Jenna Lebowitz, that raised money to buy acres of rain forest to preserve. We have continued to incorporate environmental fund raising into our organization. However, we don't limit our fund raising to environmental issues alone. For example, last Sunday Steve (ALO bass player) and I played a benefit for the victims of hurricane Katrina with the Everyone Orchestra in San Francisco. As a performing musician, it is common to be in a position where people are listening to what you are saying and doing. It seems irresponsible not to use this position in a positive way.

RtE: Where is your favorite place in nature to go to find solace or inspiration?

Baker Beach is a 10 minute walk from my house and it is my favorite beach in all of San Francisco. When I'm not on the road I make point of going there with my guitar. It have found it to be an inspiring place to relax and work on music.

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Michael Franti & Boulder Bioneers

Rock the Earth is honored to partner with Boulder Bioneers to present a special advance screening of Michael Franti's documentary, "I Know I'm Not Alone", on Thursday, October 13 at the Boulder Theater. The movie will be followed by a Question and Answer Session and solo acoustic performance by Michael Franti. Whether with the multimedia afro-noise band The Beatnigs, the industrial-politico rap of Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, or with the soulful, inspiring funk of Spearhead, Michael Franti has always made music to shake bodies, move minds and stir the soul through his continued international touring, university speaking engagements and his many albums sold throughout the world. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Rock the Earth and Boulder Bioneers.

"This film came out of my frustration with watching the nightly news and hearing generals, politicians and pundits explaining the political and economic cost of the war in the Middle East, without ever mentioning the human cost," Franti said in a statement.

This performance is an all ages event. Tickets are available at the Boulder Theater or at www.bouldertheater.com. Special discounted tickets are available for Bioneers conference registrants at ecenter.colorado.edu/bioneers.

For the second year in a row, Rock the Earth is co-producing Bioneers with the University of Colorado's Environmental Center. From Oct. 14-16, join the preeminent gathering of leading scientific innovators and environmental visionaries who offer practical solutions to the most pressing environmental and social issues of our time for a weekend of sharing, learning and action. Visit the Bioneers site for information about this exciting conference.

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Take Advantage of Your Member Benefits

RtE membership has its privileges! Become a member for $25 or more and receive 20% off any merchandise from the String Cheese Incident when purchased through their website, www.scigear.com! Email us at Membership@RockTheEarth.net to find out how.

Members can also purchase discounted concert and festival tickets at various times throughout the year, and purchase specially priced RtE merchandise, as well as t-shirts, posters, DVDs and concert photography from your favorite artists and musicians! Look for announcements on our website, www.RockTheEarth.org, and in your monthly newsletter.

Special sale for members only!
This month's members-only sale includes photography from Tobin Poppenberg, a professional music photographer who truly captures the beauty of the moment in his images. RtE has a limited supply of Tobin's photograph of Michael Franti from the Eureka Municipal Auditorium in Eureka, California on March 31st, 2004. Each photograph is signed by both Tobin and Michael Franti and numbered out of a series of 10. These rare and limited photographs are available on a first come basis to our members for only $35.

Also available for members this month are limited edition Ozomatli 10th Anniversary posters signed by the entire band! Get yours for $20!!! Hurry, as we only have a few of these rare items.

If you are interested in any of these items please email us immediately at Membership@rocktheearth.net so we can process your order! Take advantage of this limited time offer while it lasts!

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Rockin' Reception!

Join the RtE Board of Directors and Staff as they convene their Annual Meeting and celebrate the success of our Summer Outreach Tour with a Reception, Silent Auction and short program on Saturday, October 8, from 7-10 p.m. at the Whiskey Bar, 2201 Larimer Street, Denver. Admission is FREE! For more details and any questions write to info@rocktheearth.net.

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Rockin' the Earth in Central Park: Photo

RtE Summer Outreach and Education Tour intern, Matthew Schmidt,
rockin' the Jack Johnson show at Central Park in New York City.

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