Tundraland’s “Singing in the Shower” A Huge Success

Activity Leads to Youth Music Scholarship and A Bathroom Remodel Project

Tundraland Home Improvement’s popular “Singing in the Shower” activity at the recent Mile of Music festival in downtown Appleton had nearly double the number of participants from the previous year. That’s the good news. The even better news is that the larger number of participants allowed Tundraland to exceed two goal levels, one that provides a youth music scholarship for one year through Heid Music and the second that means Tundraland will provide a free bathroom remodel project for a deserving family from the Fox Cities area.

Tundraland President Brian Gottlieb, along with Mile of Music Director Dave Willems, announced the success of the program at Mile of Music Production’s Concerts in the Courtyard at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel on Wednesday.

The Kaukauna-based Tundraland Home Improvements, which offers made-in-America sunrooms, baths, windows and home remodeling, served as Mile 3’s presenting partner – it’s lead sponsor – and also added several fun promotions and contests to the festival landscape during its four-day run, August 6 through 9 at 60 venues throughout Appleton’s central business district. Tundraland also sponsored the activities within Houdini Plaza, offered a sunroom with live music performances, distributed free prizes to festival-goers, and conducted the great guitar giveaway, which featured a contest to win a guitar signed by many of Mile of Music’s artists.

“It was a busy festival for our Tundraland Team and we had a great time meeting the thousands of music fans who attended from Wisconsin and all over the country,” said Gottlieb. “One of our more prideful moments was in easily surpassing the 250 shower-singers goal, which secured the music scholarship for a local student, and then achieving the 400 mark so that we can do a bathroom remodel for a local family that deserves our support.”

Last year, Tundraland surpassed the 250 mark right before the end of the Festival, and Gottlieb then underwrote a year of music lessons for local student Jordan Oudenhoven through Heid Music, along with the purchase of a new guitar. At this year’s festival, about nine months into his year of lessons, Oudenhoven performed along with festival co-founder Cory Chisel on one of Chisel’s songs during the opening lunchtime live performance in Houdini Plaza on Thursday.

“It was a real kick to see Jordan performing with Cory and to see how far he’s progressed,” Gottlieb said. “And to know we’ll be helping another student this year is really exciting.”

Students interested in applying for the scholarship for one year of music lessons at Heid Music can do so by sending a 100-word-or-less email that answers the question, “Why do you think you should be selected for this scholarship” to Gottlieb at [email protected]. Area students 18 years old or younger, from elementary through high school, are eligible. The deadline to enter is September 18, 2015.

The “Singing in the Shower” display was set up in the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel lobby and attracted participants ranging from hotel guests to festival attendees, with a fair number of artists from Mile 3 also belting out a tune or two.

Mile of Music co-founder and singer-songwriter Cory Chisel applauded the efforts and enthusiasm of the Tundraland team, and the dedication of the festival’s presenting partner to devote resources to helping young talent develop their passion for music.

“It was a treat to perform with Jordan, and I can’t wait to meet this year’s recipients,” Chisel said. “I know how important it is to receive the personal and the financial support of others, because I’ve benefitted from such support throughout my career. I feel very strongly that we sustain our intention to underwrite up and coming young artists.”

The bathroom remodel for a deserving family was a new feature this year and Gottlieb said the family has been chosen, with more information to come once the project begins. He said the goal for Tundraland was to add even more “feel-good” value to Mile of Music with a community benefit.

“While the 50,000 people who attended this year’s Mile of Music were treated to a fun time and the amazing talents of the performers, the music education program and the bathroom makeover take the experience to a whole different level that we hope will have an impact on people’s lives for a long time to come,” Gottlieb said.