E-CHIEVEMENT AWARD

On Sunday March 25, 2012, Harmonikids founding director Gary Allegretto was featured and interviewed on "eTown", the internationally-syndicated radio show heard by more than a million listeners each week on 300 commercial and NPR stations worldwide. eTown honored Gary with their "E-chievement Award" during the popular listener-nominated segment of the program that "highlights stories of hometown heroes from around the country working to make a positive difference in their communities and beyond". In eTown's words, "... we take pride in celebrating the success stories of ordinary citizens accomplishing extraordinary things."

For more information and to listen to Gary's segment on the program please visit: www.etown.org

NAU ALUMNI OF DISTINCTION AWARD

In June 2010 Gary Allegretto was honored and recognized by Northern Arizona University's "Alumni of Distinction" program as a mentor for his work through Harmonikids. Read more information at: http://tinyurl.com/garyallegrettomentor

2011 BLUES FOUNDATION KBA (Keeping the Blues Alive) AWARD FOR EDUCATION

On February 5, 2011, Gary Allegretto was honored with a Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Award. Each year, The Blues Foundation presents the KBA Awards to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the blues music world. The KBAs are awarded strictly on the basis of merit by a select panel of blues professionals to those working to actively promote and document the music. Nominations are accepted from affiliated blues societies, past KBA recipients and current members of The Blues Foundation’s Board of Directors. “The recipients of this year’s awards – as with every year – are people and organizations who are an integral part of not only promoting blues music, but of preserving it as well. Their work applies to the business of recorded music, but also to live events, print media, radio and visual broadcasts, and increasingly, the internet,” notes Art Tipaldi, KBA chairman. Of special note, Allegretto was unanimously chosen by the KBA board.

Read the Blues Foundation press release here.