Financial literacy and a live rock concert crashed on stage Monday morning in an effort to grab nearly 800 high school seniors’ attention and have them focus on their own future financial stability.

The concert, performed by the four-person rock band GOODING from Los Angeles, California, was held at Centre College’s Norton Center For the Arts. Local sponsor, Farmers National Bank, through a partnership with nonprofit Funding the Future and national sponsor Raymond James Financial, supported the high-energy event. Seniors from high schools in Boyle, Garrard, Lincoln and Mercer, as well as Danville High, Burgin and Danville Christian Academy attended the concert. 

After grabbing the students’ attention by rocking on stage for about 30 minutes to the beats of their original music, lead guitarist and singer Steven Gooding set down his guitar and said, “Don’t be afraid to talk about money!” 

In a more serious tone, he acknowledged that “financial literacy” didn’t seem cool, but it is a necessary skill for teenagers to develop for their own financial wellbeing. He then talked about the importance of developing good money saving habits early in life and the value of hard work.

Gooding also warned the young audience about predatory lending and the danger of credit card debit and how it can affect their lives.

Sharon Howell, vice president and director of marketing at Farmers National Bank said they have found that young people don’t know basic financial skills, and the rock concert was a way to capture their attention and talk about these skills. “You take these skills all through life,” she said.

According to a news release from FNB, “Using the power of a live rock performance to deliver inspirational lessons of finance and discipline to young people, Funding the Future helps students see their dreams as possibilities.”