As an old trombone player, I’ve always admired Mike Huckabee’s emphasis on music education. Playing an instrument produces all sorts of educational benefits, in addition to, in some cases, lovely sounds. A statement on his interest in stronger arts and music programs in schools can be found on his website.
Pushing the music agenda is also profitable. I was reminded of this while reading Mike Huckabee’s personal financial disclosure statement, required of presidential candidates. He’s had a pretty good run of honoraria and book sales (including book sales to his own defunct Healthy America PAC) since leaving the governor’s office. But one stood out: $40,000 from the National Association of Music Manufacturers. It’s a trade group for musical instrument makers. If more children take music classes in school, more will, of course, play musical instruments.