Jody Carson is a music industry manager, promoter, and founder of Rock-It Kids, a charity dedicated to fundraising for Shriners Hospitals for Children. A new mom, we spoke with Jody from her home in Florida.

Tell us what design means to you.
Design to me is all about flare and flow. Your unique sense of style and design vernacular make up the flare and all of those things must flow together effortlessly & seamlessly. Something that was obvious in the photos that first drew me to the DWIGHT D!

Can you tell us a little about your background and what you are doing now?
I grew up in London, the daughter of Jenny Carson, a director on the iconic BBC live music show, The Old Grey Whistle Test, and Phil Carson, Managing Director of Atlantic Records outside of the US. They met on the set of the Old Grey Whistle Test when my father was there accompanying his act, Led Zeppelin. I started working for Foreigner in 2005 running their merchandising, handling VIP Events & assisting the Tour Manager. I went on to work for, and subsequently managed Jason Bonham and then ended up as a manager at 19 Entertainment, the management company for American Idol. In 2013, I decided I needed to get back on the road, and I went on tour with Kid Rock, who catapulted my Charity Idea onto a National level. I’ve been on the road working & fundraising pretty much straight through since then, taking time of this year to be home with my new son.

Congratulations, tell us about charity.
It wasn’t until 2007 that I created the Charity Initiative that eventually morphed into Rock-It Kids, Inc. I was asked to come up with a way to sell more Foreigner albums, and after a couple of versions, settled on working with the Shriners to raise money for Shriners Hospitals for Children. I invite 20-40 Shriners to each show to sell CDs for $20. Every CD is sold with a ticket, which enters the buyer into a drawing to win a guitar (or like item) signed by the Artist. This drives the artist’s album up the charts (I once put Kid Rock back in the chart at #54, Billboard had this to say, “Venue sales of the album pump its gain, as it jumps by 149{6f1a88df4781782d3bb83c341bcab26c15d9fc5ac290c31798f9a332abe82841}”) and generates hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax deductible donations for the Artist. I have raised over $2.25m for Shriners Hospitals for Children, and another $2m for other charities, since we split the proceeds 50/50 with the Artist’s chosen charity. I have worked with The Eagles, the Who, BOSTON, Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Styx, just to name a few. Editors note: to learn more about The Shriners or to make a donation, check out https://lovetotherescue.org/

Having spent plenty of time in Philadelphia-what’s your ideal weekend here?
Well, of course a stay at the DWIGHT D. In fact, I am DYING to visit your new addition (the photos are SPECTACULAR!), and LOTS of dining! I ALWAYS go to Parc for a Warm Shrimp Salad and a Quiche, and there are SO many other fantastic restaurants in the City. I love wandering around and looking in the various unique shops as well.

Tell us about your experience staying at The DWIGHT D from the perspective of a rock star who’s traveled extensively both internationally and domestic!
This hotel captured my heart IMMEDIATELY. The design is GORGEOUS, but the owners, Ken & Vittoria are absolutely brilliant. Immediately personable, without being at all intrusive. The overall feeling that I get at the DWIGHT D. is one of peace and tranquility. For someone who travels CONSTANTLY, it was such a pleasure to find a hotel that wasn’t at all like all the other hotels. The location doesn’t hurt either!