{"id":2132249,"date":"2025-11-03T12:47:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T12:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2132249"},"modified":"2025-11-03T12:47:27","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T12:47:27","slug":"michigan-bred-drummer-chad-smith-reveals-u-m-music-scholarship-at-surprise-ann-arbor-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/michigan-bred-drummer-chad-smith-reveals-u-m-music-scholarship-at-surprise-ann-arbor-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"Michigan-bred drummer Chad Smith reveals U-M music scholarship at surprise Ann Arbor performance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith has long pledged allegiance to his southeast Michigan roots. Now he\u2019s putting some money behind the sentiment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">During a surprise performance Sunday (Nov. 2) with the University of Michigan Marching Band, the Bloomfield Hills-bred Smith announced a scholarship in partnership with U-M\u2019s School of Music, Theatre &amp; Dance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The $40,000 scholarship \u2014 named in honor of his mom, Joan, and late dad, Curtis \u2014 is administered by the Chad Smith Foundation, which he launched in August.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Chad Smith, center, performs with the University of Michigan Marching Band at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Nov. 2, 2025.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cMichigan has such a very strong music program,\u201d Smith told the Free Press last week. \u201cThey&#8217;re well known, and I&#8217;m just honored to a little part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He described the catalyst for his music-oriented foundation, whose team includes several family members.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cMy passion for music, art and education is really the backbone of this. There are students that need help either financially or equipment-wise or places to play or connecting,\u201d Smith said. \u201cWe want to give that opportunity to them to pursue their dreams, like I did when I was a very young person in Detroit, growing up in Bloomfield Hills and going to Lahser High School.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Grammy-winning drummer, who turned 64 last month, was an unannounced special guest at Sunday\u2019s Band-O-Rama in Ann Arbor, an annual Hill Auditorium event showcasing U-M\u2019s concert band, symphony band and marching band.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong>More: <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/music\/articles\/demi-lovato-play-little-caesars-142322633.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Demi Lovato to play Little Caesars Arena in April as 2026 tour hits Detroit;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Demi Lovato to play Little Caesars Arena in April as 2026 tour hits Detroit<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong>More: <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/music\/articles\/country-star-morgan-wallen-headed-130951303.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Country star Morgan Wallen headed to Ann Arbor's Michigan Stadium for 2 shows in July;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Country star Morgan Wallen headed to Ann Arbor&#8217;s Michigan Stadium for 2 shows in July<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Smith took to a drumkit for the marching band\u2019s rendition of \u201cCan\u2019t Stop,\u201d the 2003 Chili Peppers song that\u2019s among the array of hits Smith has recorded in his 37-year tenure with the band.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">His U-M scholarship will fund incoming students starting next year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Smith&#8217;s foundation launched a similar music scholarship at the University of Minnesota, his parents\u2019 alma mater.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Smith is a Minnesota native but spent the bulk of his childhood and young adulthood in metro Detroit, where he got his career footing with rock bands such as Toby Redd. He landed the Red Hot Chili Peppers gig just months after migrating to L.A. in 1988.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">And despite his folks\u2019 Minnesota connections and a pair of siblings who attended Michigan State University, the drummer is a dyed-in-the-wool Michigan fan, a loyalty he loves to flaunt when the Chili Peppers play Columbus in the backyard of Ohio State.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Chad Smith, center, performs with the University of Michigan Marching Band at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Nov. 2, 2025.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/QMJ85_X1Part.SsnqaXC6A--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/detroit-free-press\/ba15de92fe10b0e4e986f57f9fd3fe34\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Chad Smith, center, performs with the University of Michigan Marching Band at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Nov. 2, 2025.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cI rock a big yellow \u2018M\u2019 on the kick drum, I sing the fight song, and it\u2019s the loudest response of the whole night,\u201d Smith said with a laugh. \u201cThey just boo the crap out of me, man. I love it. I\u2019m maize-and-blue all the way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Smith has bold ambitions for his foundation, saying he&#8217;s at a life stage where years of success allow him to give back. He\u2019s especially passionate about the value of music in schools \u2014 and he speaks from first-hand experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cI wouldn\u2019t be here today, doing what I have been doing, if I didn\u2019t have that opportunity,\u201d he said. \u201cAt Lahser, there was concert band, symphonic band, jazz band, marching band, even a music theory club. If I didn&#8217;t have all that, I would have never graduated, and who knows what would have happened.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Smith&#8217;s new home state scholarship is a tribute to the legacy of his parents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cMy mother \u2014 98 years young \u2014 is still living in the house I grew up in,\u201d he said. \u201cMy father was a 32-year Ford Motor Company guy at the world headquarters in Dearborn. We just have all these really good connections in Michigan. So it makes a lot of sense for us.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/music\/articles\/mailto:bmccollum@freepress.com\" data-ylk=\"slk:bmccollum@freepress.com;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">bmccollum@freepress.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/entertainment\/music\/brian-mccollum\/2025\/11\/03\/chad-smith-foundation-university-of-michigan-music-scholarship\/87054193007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Michigan-bred drummer Chad Smith reveals new U-M music scholarship;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Michigan-bred drummer Chad Smith reveals new U-M music scholarship<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith has long pledged allegiance to his southeast Michigan roots. Now he\u2019s putting some money behind the sentiment. During a surprise performance Sunday (Nov. 2) with the University of Michigan Marching Band, the Bloomfield Hills-bred Smith announced a scholarship in partnership with U-M\u2019s School of Music, Theatre &amp; Dance. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2132250,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[341164,351360,350859,405719,405717,349991,405718,405716,403611],"class_list":["post-2132249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-chad-smith","tag-marching-band","tag-michigan","tag-michigan-state-university","tag-music-scholarship","tag-red-hot-chili-peppers","tag-scholarship","tag-u-ms-school-of-music","tag-university-of-michigan"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Michigan-bred-drummer-Chad-Smith-reveals-U-M-music-scholarship-at-surprise.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2132249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2132249"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2132249\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2132251,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2132249\/revisions\/2132251"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2132250"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2132249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2132249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2132249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}