Ride For Music :: Our "Why..." from the Founder.
Updated: Jun 26, 2021

First and foremost, thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time and initiative to find yourself here, learning about our organization. Over the next few paragraphs ill share the "why" and "how" we came to exist as a non-profit... Over the next year, you will see our cycling team cycle from Tampa to Nashville to raise funds for people in need... And over the next few years, you will see us cycle from Los Angeles to New York City for the same initiatives; supporting music, its foundation (people) and the arts in general. I thank you for your time and very much hope you can join us on the road for a ride somewhere across our great country!
Here is the story behind Ride For Music and how we came to be...
During Covid and the shutdowns, I completely lost my concert production company, while my concert venue and craft brewery was catapulting towards bankruptcy. I was full of hate and frustration that the concert industry and its people were not supported financially during the pandemic. To this day, 16 months after being forcibly closed, we have yet to receive any relief funding while countless other industries received millions long ago. Rather than dwell on that extreme negative energy, I had to make a shift for my own mental well being…
However, I didn’t know what I was going to do…
In that time of introspection, I knew I had to channel my energy into something else. I decided that I wanted to be a catalyst for positive change and attempt to turn something devastating for my life into something hopefully very positive for others.
Leading up to my 40th birthday, and in the midst of the pandemic, I began riding every week and fell in love with the culture of endurance road cycling… Little did I know, that this new found passion would also create Ride For Music and facilitate a complete 180 degree shift in my life. One of the best and most authentic aspects of this campaign (to me), is our partnership with the artists, their fans, the cycling community and the music employees themselves to bring this campaign to life and do good for as many people as possible that were displaced.
In the coming years, following the 2021 Tampa to Nashville ride, we will campaign for different efforts and use the marketing from the campaign to provide support to as many music and performing arts based initiatives that we can support. Every year we will pick a different need to support...
By contributing financially, you are directly supporting an industry of people that bring emotional well being, entertainment and joy through music to all of our lives. The music and arts community was literally ignored in this pandemic… And this is why, WE RIDE FOR MUSIC.
Thank you for your time and consideration to donating to our effort… Please do not hesitate to reach out for any reason.
Kevin Lilly - Founder - kevin@rideformusic.org
GET INVOLVED :: Other than financially, our website lists many ways you can get involved… WWW.RIDEFORMUSIC.ORG