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The hit "Freeway of Love," written by Marin's Narada Michael Walden. He's the platinum album producer of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, more. He has just formed a new band with Carlos Santana. He's also writing a symphony and his autobiography. On Wednesday there was a preview of Monday's concert for /*Christopher Rodriguez*/.
"Being 11-years-old, taking your piano lesson, and you're paralyzed by a stray bullet. It touched all of our hearts," says Walden.
Christopher Rodriguez was sitting at a piano when the bullet struck him. Narada is a big supporter of music education. The concert is called "Let the Sunshine In." The stars and this band meant to inspire compassion for young musicians.
"Helpfully they're inspired to take it further. Music helps with every part of our lives -- our hearts, our minds, our souls, all of us," says Walden.
He's lined up a showcase of performers, Fifth Dimension, Mary Wilson, Earl Klugh, Bob Weir and Sting. Walden flew to Italy to ask Sting to do the show.
The show also raises scholarships for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Two students sat in on the band on Wednesday. Minna Choi, a student, has created her own orchestra and says music is like playing a game.
"It's like a nerdy way of playing basketball for people who don't know how to play sports. You just get a bunch of people together and play together," says Choi.
Philip Brezina, a Conservatory student, doesn't look like your typical violin player.
"I'm a soccer player at heart. You can't let playing violin hold you back. A lot of people don't want to hurt their hands and stuff like that. That's no good," says Brezina.
They're stoked for Monday's event at Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, which Narada calls a celebration.
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