Mockingbird Foundation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mockingbird Foundation is a charitable organization founded by fans of the band Phish in 1996 (legally incorporated the following year) to support music education for children. Unconventional in structure, it exists almost entirely online, allowing a higher percentage of income to be distributed directly to deserving organizations. Projects include the publication of The Phish Companion and the production of the Phish tribute album Sharin' in the Groove.[1] As of November 13, 2006, the foundation had provided over 150 disbursements (through grants and other awards) totalling over $500,000; sold nearly 50,000 copies of The Phish Companion; and sold over 25,000 copies of Sharin' in the Groove.[2]
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[edit] The Phish Companion
The Mockingbird Foundation is a leading provider of historical information about the band Phish and its music. The Foundation's book project, The Phish Companion, is a comprehensive and authoritative reference chronicling Phish and their music, including years preceding and following the band's own history. It was researched with the help of all official Phish sources, including band archivist Kevin Shapiro, bassist Mike Gordon, lead lyricist Tom Marshall, and others. Over 1,500 named fans contributed to the First Edition, with several hundred more augmenting the second.[2]
With over 900 pages and weighing 4.20 pounds, the book features setlists, show notes and statistics on 1,426 live performances; setlists and reviews on nearly 700 sideshows; history and statistics on over 670 songs; detailed notes and advice on various bootlegs in circulation; and a redesigned discography, venues table, tape notes, lyrics index, essays, interviews, poetry, and photography. The second edition's forewords were written by all of the people credited as having taught the members of Phish how to play music. Phish lyricist Tom Marshall has called the Companion "Truly an epic piece of work."[3]
[edit] Sharin' in the Groove
A Phish tribute album, Sharin' in the Groove, features nearly two hours of music from 23 individual acts including The Wailers, Dave Matthews, Jimmy Buffett, John Scofield, Arlo Guthrie, the Stanford Marching Band, The Vermont Youth Orchestra, Tom Marshall, as well as members of the Trey Anastasio Band, Jefferson Airplane, Talking Heads, and Los Lobos.[2] It was produced independently on an all-volunteer basis: none of the artists, managers, studios, or others involved received compensation for their contribution. The tracks are arranged like a live show, including two sets and an encore.[4]
[edit] DeLucia Awards
In 2004, the Foundation announced plans to acknowledge innovative work in music education through the institution of the DeLucia Awards, named for Mockingbird founder and originator of The Phish Companion, Craig DeLucia.[5] The first DeLucia Awards were announced in May, 2006.[6]
[edit] Name
The Mockingbird Foundation is named for the "Famous Mockingbird" featured in the Phish songs "Colonel Forbin's Ascent" and "Fly Famous Mockingbird". In the Phish narrative Gamehendge, the Famous Mockingbird retrieves The Helping Friendly Book from the evil King Wilson and returns it to the Lizards, its rightful owner. The Foundation was instrumental in returning the band's setlists, which had been appropriated for profit, to charitable purposes in The Phish Companion, making this a most fitting moniker.
