Los Angeles, CA – August 5, 2002 – Credit Records, a new independent record label, is releasing a benefit CD entitled “Between Us: Angelenos for Music Education”, aimed at subsidizing L.A.’s underprivileged youth. Chris Jerde, the founder of Credit Records, attracted a famed group of L.A.-based musicians – including Los Lobos, Dave Alvin, and Peter Case – to assist him in licensing recordings from their respective record labels. John Doe, formerly of the legendary L.A. punk band X, donated a new, unreleased track, “Repeat Performance”, produced by the critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter Joe Henry.

Proceeds from the sale of the CD, which will list for $14.98 at local retail outlets after August 13, will be donated to Internos Music Organization, a 501(c)(3)-registered nonprofit that provides private music instruction and instruments to underprivileged youth. Internos, which means Between Us in Latin, has served over 75 children, ages 18 and under, and hopes to double its base of beneficiaries next year. Founded by Kim Bajorek and Melissa Blakey, Internos plans to increase its base of beneficiaries by 20 percent each year.

The benefit CD also features local unsigned singer/songwriters such as Patrick Park, Sally Semrad, Tom Freund, Tracy Spuehler, Julian Coryell, and the band Merrick. Mixed in between tracks on the CD are short tunes by Internos beneficiaries, aged 8-16, who perform music from their lessons.

“To hear a 13-year old play a folk tune in between tracks by Los Lobos and Dave Alvin is quite an endearing listening experience,” says Jerde, who conceived, produced, and financed the benefit CD. “The generosity of L.A.’s music community, artists and their record labels, has been overwhelming. Nearly every musician that I approached agreed to participate in the project.”

According to acclaimed local artist and project participant, Eleni Mandell “I always felt, even as a kid playing the violin, that as long as I had music in my life, I had something special. I am really thrilled to contribute [to the benefit CD], in this small way to making it possible for more kids to learn how to play music.”
“Between Us: Angelenos for Music Education” will be available for review on and after August 13.

Credit Records is an independent record label that specializes in culturally significant compilation recordings. “Between Us” is the first release on the label, and a series of further compilations are scheduled for release in December 2002. For more information, refer to their website, currently under construction, at www.credit-records.com.

Internos Music Organization is a 501(c)(3)-registered nonprofit that provides local underprivileged children with private music instruction, instruments, and exposure to music events and workshops. With public schools facing enormous budgetary constraints, Internos strives to foster burgeoning talent of L.A.’s most dedicated and deserving youth. Since its inception in 2000, Internos has served over 75 children, ages 18 and under. Eighty percent of donations to Internos are directed to private music instruction, while the remainder covers the costs of instruments, supplies, and minimal overhead. Internos maintains relationships with many private teachers and music facilities, including the Silverlake Conservatory of Music (Flea, the proprietor of the Conservatory, also sits on Internos’ board). Internos was founded by Kim Bajorek and Melissa Blakey, in memory of their cherished friend and composer, Jim Bishop, who died at the age of 31 and had scored a composition entitled Internos (which translates to “Between Us” in Latin).

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