'THE Q PEOPLE' TRIBUTE CD GIVES PROPS TO THE LEGENDARY NRBQ, IN
RECOGNITION OF THE RENOWNED ROCK BAND'S 35TH

PROCEEDS FROM THE CD TO BENEFIT THE VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION

BONNIE RAITT, STEVE EARLE, R.E.M.'S MIKE MILLS, LOS LOBOS, WIDESPREAD PANIC, YO LA TENGO, SPONGEBOB + MORE JOIN THE PARTY...

Los Angeles, CA - Legendary rock band NRBQ, widely regarded as one of the greatest bands in the history of rock, yet little known within the mainstream, will receive its due with The Q People tribute CD on March 9, in recognition of the highly influential band's 35th Anniversary. The tribute CD will benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring music education program in public schools throughout the country. The Q People is the ambitious first release of Massachusetts-based indie label, Spirithouse Records, and features an eclectic array of talent, including Bonnie Raitt, Steve Earle, R.E.M.'s Mike Mills, Los Lobos, Widespread Panic, Yo La Tengo, Ron Sexsmith, Dinosaur, Jr.'s J Mascis, Ware River Club and popular Nickelodeon cartoon character, Spongebob Squarepants among others. Tom Kenny, voice of Spongebob, created a 17-minute audio cartoon featuring an NRBQ medley, as a modern tribute to the classic golden-era radio shows. Penn Jillette, of the acclaimed comedy team Penn & Teller, wrote the project's liner notes, marking the highly diverse following NRBQ continues to attract. Spirithouse founders' Danny Bernini and Paul McNamara had one major stipulation in putting The Q People together: All artists involved must be true Q fans. Bonnie Raitt stepped right up to the plate, quickly followed by Los Lobos, who state: "In my version of a perfect musical universe, NRBQ would be as big as The Beatles." R.E.M.'s Mike Mills seconds that: "I would describe them as the perfect amalgamation of sound."

Bernini and McNamara, both musicians and Q fans, built Spirithouse Records
around this first, impressive launch project: "When we started Spirithouse Records, we wanted to build our foundation on genuine, 'real' music. To us, NRBQ and all the artists that took part in 'The Q People' tribute, are about as 'real' as it gets. Spirithouse Records is about making real music for real people. We firmly believe in today's music fan and have faith in the listening public. They are the true tastemakers, who will ultimately determine what they want to listen to, and Spirithouse plans to be there for them with every record we put out."

NRBQ, who remain deeply respected and revered by its fellow musicians and fans alike, including such talent as Sir Paul McCartney, Keith Richards and Elvis Costello, have released more than 27 albums since their 1969 debut - and continue to record new material and tour. The highly acclaimed group draws strong comparisons to the timely artistry of The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Rolling Stones with their humor, intelligence, fiery musicianship and brilliant songwriting. For more information on The Q People, please visit https://www.spirithouserecords.com/

Since VH1 Save The Music was created in 1997, more than $25 million worth of musical instruments has been donated to 1,000 public schools in 80 cities, improving the lives of more than 500,000 children. VH1 Save The Music's many honors include the Governors' Award (a special Emmy Award), the George Foster Peabody Award for broadcast and cable excellence, and many Beacon Awards.