Why music?

A new print is available to supporters of the Dust-to-Digital Foundation.

In the 1960s, music teacher R. Daniel Mooney wrote a powerful reflection on the importance of music. His words, shared in a periodical which was circulated in the state of New York, expressed why music must be taught, cherished, and preserved. His belief in music’s transformative power is something we at Dust-to-Digital also hold dear. It continues to inspire our mission as we work to bring the world’s musical heritage to a wider audience.

As we mark the 21st year since our first release, we have been working diligently behind the scenes to expand our reach. We have partnered with a major university to make available online a vast collection of 50,000 recordings, digitally preserved by the Dust-to-Digital Foundation, for public access. Our ongoing social media outreach continues to educate listeners about the roots of the music we hear today, while documenting the ongoing evolution of these rich traditions. Looking ahead, we have assembled a dedicated team to launch the Dust-to-Digital podcast in 2025—a new avenue to share these stories with an even broader audience.

However, as much as we are driven by our mission, we must acknowledge the reality that music, like all art, operates within a capitalist framework. The sales of new releases and our back catalog have long supported the foundation's nonprofit initiatives. Yet, these revenues now contribute less and less to our operating costs. This is where we need your support.

There are still countless recordings to preserve, more music to share, and untold stories waiting to be heard. Your generosity can ensure that this vital work continues. We invite you to consider making a donation to the Dust-to-Digital Foundation, helping us to carry forward the work that Mr. Mooney so eloquently articulated—that music gives us all more life.

Thank you for your continued support,
Lance and April Ledbetter
Dust-to-Digital Foundation

To show our appreciation for your generosity, all donors who contribute $100 or more between now and the end of the year will be shipped a print of R. Daniel Mooney’s “Why Music?”—a thoughtful piece that beautifully expresses the essence of music’s significance in our lives. We are grateful to the estate of R. Daniel Mooney for their support and for graciously granting us the rights to reprint this important work. For your records, the Dust-to-Digital Foundation’s EIN is 27-3076188.