Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith will head to Washington D.C. next month to lobby Congress on behalf of music education. According to Audio Ink Radio, Smith will join up with representatives of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) to meet with members of the government on the subject of funding music education programs in public schools.

Smith said in a statement, "I am a perfect example of someone who's been musically educated exclusively throughout grade school, middle school and high school by the public school system. If there hadn't been a music program in my public schools, I would not be where I am today. Every kid -- and I mean everyone -- needs a chance to learn and grow with music."

• Smith will speak to NAMM delegates and guests at the U.S. Capitol on March 19th, and will also take part in special meetings on Capitol Hill with members of Congress the following day.
• The Red Hot Chili Peppers recently released "In Love Dying," the latest in a series of tracks recorded during the sessions for their 2011 album, I'm With You, that were left off the disc itself. Three more sets of songs are yet to be issued.
• The Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline this year's Coachella Festival in California this April, alongside fellow headliners Phoenix and Blur, and has been selected to co-headline the 2nd Orion Music + More festival in Detroit this June alongside Metallica.

WHAT DO YOU THINK??

• Did you take music classes in school? Did you enjoy them or get something out of them?
• Do you believe that they are a valuable part of a child's education and should be preserved and funded?
• With Washington embroiled in a pointless battle over needless spending cuts, do you think Chad will make any headway?