MULTI-PLATINUM artist Kip Moore announced plans for his “Comeback Kid Skatepark Project,” a charitable initiative that will oversee the construction of a series of skateparks to benefit communities and “comeback kids.”
At a press conference today, Moore along with Mayor Karl Dean and Salemtown Board Co, revealed the phase one cities of the project including Nashville, TN; Boston, MA; San Marcos, TX; and Annapolis, MD. The inspiration for the name of the project comes from “Comeback Kid,” a personal anthem from Moore’s upcoming album WILD ONES.
“What started off as a pipe dream of mine years ago, has truly become a passion project,” said Moore. “It came from me wanting to give kids in inner cities a safe outlet, where they can form the bonds I know can be made from having somewhere awesome to go and be a part of something they enjoy. I wrote the song ‘Comeback Kid’ at a time when I felt like a comeback kid, but now when I sing it I think less about myself and more about the kids we are doing this for and how much I admire and respect them. We’re starting with these four cities, but the plan is to keep growing this as far and wide as we can.”
Each park will have a unique design to provide the perfect first step for anyone of any age to learn how to skate. Making the most of the size and space available, most skate spots will range from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet and will include elements such as quarter pipe, bank-to-curb, hubba ledges, hand rail and step up. Most of the phase one skateparks will be up and running by this Fall.
The “Comback Kid Skatepark Project” is the first initiative of “Kip’s Kids Fund,” a donor-advised fund through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT) focused on youth and teens. As an avid rock climber, surfer, skateboarder and outdoor enthusiast, Moore has been drawn to the outdoors and alternative sports for much of his life. He also has a heart for small town and inner city kids growing up with too few options. As a result, the “Kip’s Kid Fund” provides alternative outlets for youth to engage in healthy habits and physical activities like skateboarding, in addition to the traditional sports offerings where they live.
Moore’s sophomore album, WILD ONES, is set to be released on Aug. 21. A super-sized record inspired by the grit, grind and glamour of the live shows, each track on WILD ONES was written by Moore and follows his debut album, UP ALL NIGHT, which spawned three No. One multi-platinum selling smash hits. His current single “I’m To Blame,” is steadily climbing the charts and was the second most added song during its debut week at country radio, marking Moore’s biggest first week for a new single. Earning critical acclaim for his “high energy” (Rolling Stone) live show with Chicago Sun Times heralding him as “carving his own niche in country music,” Moore will head out on the road for Dierks Bentley’s 2015 Sounds Of Summer Tour, which kicks off this weekend in Raleigh, NC on 6/5.
For more information and the latest updates, visit www.kipmoore.net.
