Stevie Van Zandt and Teachrock to be Honored by Count Basie Center for the Arts on Saturday

Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 10/13/2026

(RED BANK, NJ) -- For Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stevie Van Zandt, Saturday, October 17, 2026 will bring together two defining parts of a career that has long extended beyond the stage, celebrating both his impact on music and culture and his commitment to the educators shaping the next generation.

That afternoon, Van Zandt will be inducted onto the Count Basie Center for the Arts Walk of Fame in Red Bank, New Jersey, joining a growing group of honorees that includes Count Basie, Jon Bon Jovi, Darlene Love and others. Later that evening, at the same historic venue, Van Zandt and TeachRock, the national education nonprofit he founded, will present the inaugural TeachRock Teachers Hall of Fame Celebration, recognizing educators who are using music and culture to engage students and deepen their connection to learning.

The evening's Teachers Hall of Fame Celebration will be hosted by comedian and actor Pete Davidson and will induct its first class of educators from New Jersey, Nevada and Colorado, alongside a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award honoring educator and activist Mary Morello, to be accepted by her son, musician and activist Tom Morello. Jon Bon Jovi, The E Street Choir, comedians Jeff Ross and Ricky "Rickonia" Smith will also make special appearances, and the program will close with a full performance by Kool & the Gang.

"It is an incredible honor to become a permanent part of the Basie Center, and I can't imagine a better way to celebrate than spending that same night honoring teachers," said Van Zandt. "Teachers change lives every day, usually without anybody applauding them for it. This night is about changing that."

"Stevie Van Zandt's extraordinary artistry, deep connection to New Jersey and longstanding relationship with the Basie Center make this induction especially meaningful to us," adds Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. "His influence on music and culture is undeniable, and throughout his remarkable career, he has used that influence to create opportunities for others. Stevie reminds us that an artist's legacy can be measured both by the work they create and the lives they inspire. We are incredibly proud to welcome him onto the Count Basie Center's Walk of Fame."

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Launched as part of the Basie Center's Centennial Celebration, the Walk of Fame honors artists who have performed at the Basie Center, made an indelible impact on culture and whose contributions reflect the enduring power of the arts. Permanent keystones along Monmouth Street celebrate performers whose artistry has helped define the Basie Center's first century while inspiring generations of audiences and artists.

The inaugural TeachRock Teachers Hall of Fame class includes Tanya Peterson of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Asbury Park, New Jersey, recipient of the Joy in Learning Award; Kathy Durham of West Wendover High School in West Wendover, Nevada, recipient of the Trailblazer Award; and Patrick "Mac" McGuire of Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, recipient of the Impact Award. Mary Morello will be honored posthumously with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing a career defined by lasting impact and an unwavering belief in the power of education. The gala will also honor Kevin Keyes, long-serving TeachRock board member and Honorary Event Chairman.

The Teachers Hall of Fame comes as TeachRock's work continues to spread through classrooms across the country. Today, more than 80,000 educators use TeachRock's free, music-integrated curriculum, reaching more than one million students nationwide. By bringing the music and culture young people already know and care about into the classroom, TeachRock gives educators new ways to re-engage students in learning, spark curiosity and create meaningful connections across history, social studies, language arts, science and more.

Funds raised through the evening will support TeachRock's continued work to provide its curriculum and resources to educators completely free of charge. The gala is sponsored in part by Hard Rock.

EVENT DETAILS - The inaugural TeachRock Hall of Fame Gala will be held Saturday, October 17, 2026. Tickets start at $100 and are available at https://www.teachrock.org/event/thof and VIP and Sponsor seats are available at: https://archive.teachrock.org/fallevent/. The Count Basie Center for the Arts is located at 99 Monmouth Street in Red Bank, New Jersey.

The Count Basie Center for the Arts creates shared educational, artistic, and community experiences that ignite curiosity, understanding, and joy. As a nonprofit organization, the Basie Center is committed to its responsive and inclusive programming, which reflects the diverse spirit and aspirations of its patrons, students, artists, and staff. The Basie Center has hosted an array of world-class artists, including Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, Brandi Carlile, Crosby Stills & Nash, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Ringo Starr. Count Basie Center programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

TeachRock is a free, standards-aligned curriculum that brings core subjects to life through the power of music and popular culture. Designed by educators and artists, TeachRock helps students engage more deeply with social studies, language arts, STEAM, music, and more by connecting classroom learning to the world around them.

Founded by Stevie Van Zandt with support from Bono, Jackson Browne, Martin Scorsese, and Bruce Springsteen, TeachRock was created to help address the student dropout crisis by keeping music and the arts embedded in education. What began as a mission to prevent disengagement has evolved into a movement that helps students reconnect with learning in ways that feel personal, relevant, and meaningful.

Today, more than 80,000 educators across all 50 states have used TeachRock to reimagine their classrooms. The curriculum has reached more than one million students worldwide and has been shown to improve attendance, engagement, and academic outcomes. Teachers report renewed purpose in their work, while students gain tools to better understand history, identity, and critical thinking through lessons rooted in the universal language of music.

TeachRock is endorsed by leading education organizations in social studies, music, and the humanities and continues to help shape the future of 21st-century learning.