Washington D.C. Musicians Patty Reese and Eric Scott Back Greatest American Cleanup
Washington D.C.-based singer/musicians Patty Reese and Eric Scott lent their voices to the launch videos for Keep America Beautiful’s Greatest American Cleanup™. Both artists generously donated their services to support this historic initiative aimed at uniting Americans around the goal of beautifying the nation for its 250th birthday.
Eric Scott: A Voice for Unity
Singer and bassist Eric Scott’s involvement in the Greatest American Cleanup videos was fueled by his love for his country and a desire to combat division with unity and positivity
“We’ve had so much negativity in our country of late,” says Scott, who has toured the world, playing with legends like James Brown, B.B. King, and Mavis Staples, as well as bands like Foreigner and REO Speedwagon. “The chance to participate in a project that celebrated America in a positive light was one I could not pass up.”
Growing up as a bi-racial child in a racially charged environment, Scott found solace and identity in music. “You don’t choose music…music chooses you,” he says. “I love the freedom it affords me to do what I love when I want to do it.” Over his 30-year career, he’s won 18 Washington Area Music Association Awards (WAMMIES) and his recent single “Peace Bomb” reached #13 on the UK Top 30 Soul Charts.
His hope for the Greatest American Cleanup is to see Americans come together to make the country a cleaner, more beautiful place. “Finger pointing, name calling, and insults are so unnecessary. We need to be nicer, kinder, and more accepting of one another and our differing views. I would love to see Americans get excited and feel pride about cleaning up our country. I’m ready to volunteer my services!”
Patty Reese: Celebrating Natural Beauty
Known for her sultry, bluesy voice, Patty Reese has been a favorite in the Mid-Atlantic Region for years, earning 17 WAMMIES, including Artist of the Year. Her soulful renditions of classics and her original music resonate deeply with audiences. But it was her passion for America’s natural beauty and her personal commitment to keeping spaces clean and green that made her eager to join the project.
“As I’ve traveled around the country, I’ve gained an appreciation for America’s natural beauty,” Reese says. “As an avid gardener, I appreciate how any space can be made more beautiful by keeping it clean and green.”
For Reese, the Greatest American Cleanup is an opportunity to inspire individuals to take pride in their communities and make a tangible difference. “By getting everyone involved in a nationwide cleanup and green-up, I believe people will experience what a difference they can make and take pride in that and continue to do their part in keeping America beautiful.”
Reese hopes the campaign will also bridge social divides. “I truly believe we all have more in common than we don’t. We would benefit greatly by focusing on solutions to problems we can all agree on—like picking up trash, recycling, and creating beautiful, green outdoor spaces. Maybe once we get together person to person on what we agree on, we can find a way to have civil conversations and compromise on other issues too.”
About Keep America Beautiful®:
Keep America Beautiful®, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful® strives to End Littering, Improve Recycling, and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green, and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision. The organization is driven by the work and passion of 700 Keep America Beautiful® affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
McCall Vrydaghs
Keep America Beautiful®