Music Drives Us

10/16/2026

Have an old musical instrument collecting dust? It could make a big difference for a student looking to make music!

We’ve put together a list of organizations throughout New England that help give used instruments a second life, connecting them with students, schools, and music programs that need them.

Boston Music Project – Accepts a variety of instruments to support music education for Boston-area youth.

Instrumental Angels – Collects and repairs donated band and orchestra instruments for students and schools across Massachusetts.

Instrumental Partners – Works with WICN and Worcester Public Schools to get donated instruments into the hands of local students.

Play It Forward Western Mass – Helps provide donated instruments to school music programs throughout Western Massachusetts.

Our longtime partners at Falcetti Music can also assist with used instruments, including potential sales, trade-ins, and piano placements.

Every organization has different donation guidelines, so be sure to reach out directly to learn what they’re currently accepting and how to contribute.

An instrument that’s no longer being played could be the start of someone else’s musical journey!

10/15/2026

From Live Aid with The Power Station to becoming one of television’s most memorable villains, Michael Des Barres had quite the run through the 1980s.

After touring with The Power Station and contributing the song “We Fight for Love” to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1985 film “Commando,” Michael found himself auditioning for the role of Murdoc on “MacGyver.”

Originally intended as a one-time appearance, the character proved so popular that producers Henry Winkler and John Rich brought him back, turning Murdoc into a recurring adversary for Richard Dean Anderson’s MacGyver.

Michael shares the story of how his rock and roll career helped open doors in Hollywood, the unexpected circumstances surrounding his audition, and how a single television appearance became one of his most recognizable roles.

Hear the full story and much more on the NEW episode of the Music Drives Us Podcast, available now!

Watch at the link in bio.

10/14/2026

W**e, Watches & Wheels is back for another incredible evening!

Join us Thursday, November 19, at Ernie Boch Jr.’s Private Auto Salon in Norwood for a night of incredible cars, fine watches, w**e, live music, food, and some exciting raffle opportunities, all in support of Music Drives Us and The Greg Hill Foundation.

It’s a rare opportunity to explore Ernie’s private collection of some of the world’s most extraordinary automobiles while supporting two organizations dedicated to making a difference throughout New England.

Every ticket includes entry into our luxury raffles, with even more opportunities to win throughout the evening.

We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back for another great night supporting two important causes!

Tickets and more information available at the link in bio.

10/13/2026

Since 2006, Music Drives Us has worked to keep music education alive and accessible in schools and communities throughout New England.

Over the past 20 years, we’ve donated more than 10,000 instruments, supported over 400 schools and organizations, and provided millions of dollars in funding to help students and educators continue making music.

None of it would have been possible without the incredible support of our partners, donors, educators, and the communities we’ve had the privilege of working with along the way.

As we celebrate 20 years of Music Drives Us, our founder Ernie Boch Jr. has a special message of thanks to everyone who has helped make it possible.

Here’s to 20 years of Music Drives Us, and to all the music still to come!

10/12/2026

For Roland Orzabal, life on the road with Tears for Fears brought challenges that didn’t always end when he stepped offstage.

Roland opens up about his use of Ambien to help him sleep after performances, how that use escalated, and the frightening point at which he found himself approaching seizure territory.

It’s one of the more personal stories from his conversation on the Music Drives Us Podcast, as he reflects on the physical and mental toll of life in music.

Watch the full episode now at the link in bio.

10/08/2026

Confidence, self-acceptance, and learning to love yourself... Michael Des Barres has a few things to say about all three.

From fronting Silverhead and Detective to performing with The Power Station, Michael has spent decades in rock and roll, building a career that has also taken him into film and television.

Now, he joins the Music Drives Us Podcast to share some of the lessons he’s learned along the way, including why believing in yourself is so important.

Catch the full conversation when Michael Des Barres joins us Wednesday, October 14!

Catch up on past episodes at the link in bio.

10/07/2026

10/06/2026

“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” almost had a very different fate.

Roland Orzabal wasn’t initially convinced by the song that would become one of Tears for Fears’ defining hits. The shuffle rhythm felt unusual for the band, the original lyric wasn’t working, and producer Chris Hughes became one of its biggest champions, pushing Roland and the band to keep returning to it at the end of their studio sessions. Those repeated rehearsals helped shape the guitar figure and eventually led Roland to the title that finally made the song click.

More than 40 years later, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” has taken on a life far beyond those sessions. Roland reflects on the strange relationship that comes with playing a song thousands of times, from rehearsing it relentlessly in the beginning to occasionally growing tired of it, only to see each new generation give it another life.

Hear the story behind the song and much more on Roland Orzabal’s episode of the Music Drives Us Podcast.

Watch the full episode now at the link in bio.

10/05/2026

There’s a lot happening at Music Drives Us this fall, and we’re excited for everything still to come!

We’re continuing to hit the road with new grant visits, putting more instruments and resources into the hands of music programs throughout New England. We’ve also got new episodes of the Music Drives Us Podcast on the way, more conversations being recorded, and plenty happening as we get ready for W**e, Watches & Wheels this November.

Between grants, the podcast, upcoming events, and everything happening in between, it’s shaping up to be a busy few months for MDU.

Keep an eye on our page and visit our website to stay up to date on where we’re headed next, what we’re working on, and all the latest from Music Drives Us!

10/03/2026

Golf is a perfectly good game... so naturally, The Fools are playing it backwards.

Next Saturday, October 10, our friends in The Fools are taking over Apple Hill Golf Course in East Kingston, New Hampshire for the 1st Annual FLOG Tournament, with all proceeds benefiting Music Drives Us!

FLOG is golf spelled backwards, and the day follows suit: 18 holes with The Fools, plenty of fun along the way, and considerably less concern about your handicap than whether you’re having a good time. Lunch and a gift bag are included with every ticket.

We’re incredibly grateful to The Fools for putting this day together in support of our mission and helping us continue expanding access to music education throughout New England.

There’s still time to get involved, with limited admission and sponsorship opportunities available.

Head to the link in bio to learn more and join us October 10!