PHILADELPHIA, July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On Aug. 6, the founders of "Keep Music Alive" will kick off their "88+ Ways" Book and Music Tour with a lunchtime show at the historic Bourse building in the Independence Mall section of Philadelphia. Performers at the noon show include Julia Zane, Valerie West, Derek Anthony Wilson, Grace Otley, Michael Smedley and Vincent James.

Other shows in the Philadelphia area will take place Aug. 8 at the New Leaf Club in Bryn Mawr, Aug. 21at Granite Farms Estates in Lima and Aug. 28 at Coffee Works in Voorhees, N.J. Additional dates are planned for Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey and California.

The tour seeks to bring music and stories from the book "88+ Ways Music Can Change Your Life" to as many venues as possible. Volume 1 in the new book series was released June 1 and features over 150 inspirational stories, anecdotes and quotes from musicians and music fans from all over the world. More than 20 Grammy-winning and platinum-selling artists, composers and songwriters also contributed to the book. Among them are Rob Parissi (songwriter and vocalist for "Play That Funky Music" for Wild Cherry),Bobby Kimball (original vocalist for Toto with "Hold the Line," "Africa," "Rosanna" and more) andVanessa Carlton ("A Thousand Miles" and "White Houses"). The stories included in "88+ Ways" are designed to make readers laugh, cry and remember the power of music in their own lives.

Keep Music Alive was founded last summer to raise awareness of how important music is educationally, therapeutically and for the overall happiness of society. According to cofounder Vincent James, it was created in response to three changes that have made music less valued. They include cuts in music and arts education in schools, fewer venues available for musicians to perform live and the recent changeover to the streaming business model. The latter has affected how musicians and songwriters are paid.

James co-wrote "88+ Ways Music Can Change Your Life" with KMA cofounder Joann Pierdomenico. Volume 1 is available in paperback and e-book on Amazon.com and BN.com. For more information, please visit www.KeepMusicAlive.org.

SOURCE Keep Music Alive

Web Site: http://www.keepmusicalive.org