Weaving a high-energy, live rock performance with lessons in finance, the band Gooding returns to Nebraska March 27-29 to share with students how financial literacy and confidence can help them make their dreams come true.
The Nebraska Council on Economic Education — a nonprofit in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business Administration that aims to advance K-12 education in economic literacy across the state — coordinates and secures sponsors for the tour.
The schedule is:
March 27, 10 a.m., Park Middle School, 855 S. Eighth St., Lincoln. Sponsored by Nebraska Independent Community Bankers and Inceptia.
March 28, 10:10 a.m., Nebraska City High School, 141 Steinhart Park Road, Nebraska City. Sponsored by VanderVeen Financial Investments.
March 29, 9:30 a.m., Central City Performing Arts Center, 1510 28th St., Central City, with students from Central City High School; Cross County High School, Stromsburg; and High Plains High School, Polk. Sponsored by Merrick Foundation, Banker’s Compliance, Citizen’s Bank, Pinnacle Bank of Central City, First State Bank Nebraska at Hordville, Archer Credit Union and Cornerstone Bank of Central City.
March 29, 1:30 p.m., Hastings Middle School, 201 N. Marian Road, Hastings. Sponsored by Pinnacle Bank of Hastings, Banker’s Compliance, Citizen’s Bank, Pinnacle Bank of Central City, First State Bank Nebraska at Hordville, Archer Credit Union and Cornerstone Bank of Central City.
Jennifer Davidson, president of the NCEE, assistant professor of practice in economics at Nebraska and tour coordinator, said the band’s music and message is positive for young people.
“Partnering with Gooding and Funding the Future Live has been the most fun and engaging way to bring the important financial literacy message to today’s students,” she said. “The rock concert catches the students off guard and they are paying attention. It’s not something they are used to in a school setting. They have a great time listening to truly amazing musicians.”
After the concert, lead singer and guitarist Steven Gooding talks to students about the importance of saving, how compound interest works, why to stay away from payday lenders and how making wise financial decisions can help a person fulfill one’s dreams.
“Some people think rock and roll and financial literacy don’t have much to do with each other, but they actually do,” Gooding said. “It wasn’t until I saw what we do as a business that it began allowing us the freedom to do what we wanted. We’re on our own music label now, so we play what we want to play and tour how we want to tour. We wouldn’t be able to do it if we weren’t investing in ourselves.”
The band’s music has been featured in “CSI,” “Criminal Minds,” “The Daily Show,” “Iron Man 2,” “Walk the Line” and “Suicide Squad.” Inspired by their work with Quincy Jones as part of Operation HOPE, they helped create Funding the Future, a nonprofit organization that teaches children the importance of financial literacy.
To learn more about the concert series, click here.
