John Lennon Bus Puts Tulsa Talent In The Spotlight

The John Lennon Education Tour Bus pulled into Green Country on Thursday, February 21, 2008.

Six Tulsa Public School students got the chance to climb aboard and show off their musical talents.

And one thing's for sure, there's a lot of talent at TPS!

"I play six different instruments, said Amanda, a TPS student.  I play guitar, base guitar, drums, piano, flute, and bassoon."

The students - chosen by faculty at Webster, Clinton, Central and Madison - had one day to get to know each other, produce and write a song, as well as create a music video that will be available for free on iTunes.

Sponsored by Mac,  the non-profit recording studio and production bus started its tour across the country ten years ago.  This particular bus was just unveiled in January and is worth close to $6 million. Jacob Voelzke actually lives on the bus and travels around the country helping aspiring musicians.

"It's a great opportunity to get students hands on with all of this gear and with all of the instrumentation and to get them to come together on a different level to create music," said engineer and producer Jacob Voelzke.

"It's fun, learning and just fun," said Antonio, another TPS student.

The organization has provided free hands-on programs to hundreds of high schools, colleges, Boys and Girls Clubs, music festivals, concerts, conventions and community organizations.  In fact, this bus is going to be used at this year's Tulsa battle of the Bands.

The mission is to educate the musically inclined the industry and hopefully inspire the artists of the future.

"I think that after this I'm thinking of maybe going to college for something that has to do with this kind of thing," said Amanda.

By Margaret Stokes, NewsOn6.com anchor/reporter & Chris Howell, Video Journalist