HOT FROM FOX...

MUSIC CHARITY NOTES FOR NOTES PARTNERS WITH "EMPIRE" FOR "FOX PRESENTS 'EMPIRE' BEHIND THE BEAT" INITIATIVE

Fans from Across the Country Can Donate to Help Raise Money to Bring the Importance of Music to the Next Generation

As EMPIRE heads into Season Two, the hit series is partnering with music charity Notes for Notes for the new initiative "FOX Presents EMPIRE Behind the Beat," inspiring the next generation to create its own musical voice. The charity will raise money to build fully equipped music studios across the country for youth to have free access to instruments and audio equipment, as well as professional mentors to help them hone their talent. The initiative starts with the very first studio in Chicago, to be built by Spring 2016. FOX kicked off the program with a cross-division donation and, starting today, fans can donate online at www.EmpireBTB.com. EMPIRE returns for its second season Wednesday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

"FOX Presents EMPIRE Behind the Beat" will activate EMPIRE's passionate fan base throughout the season so that they can play a pivotal role in helping to create the branded music studios. Any donation - no matter how big or small - will help a community of young artists! The charity will have a few donation levels with corresponding rewards. At the "Mix Tape" and "Record Deal" level, fans will have their names placed on a plaque in the studio. At the "Empire" level, supporters will receive an individual plaque in the Chicago studio and an invitation to the studio's opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Be a part of this exciting musical revolution and help EMPIRE and Notes for Notes make a new generation's musical dreams become a reality.

Notes for Notes CEO Phillip Gilley said, "It is such an honor to have a partner that embodies success, and believes in the importance of giving back. We are very excited about what this means for Notes for Notes and all the future musicians who will have the opportunity to find their voice through music."

Notes for Notes(R) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that designs, equips, and staffs after-school recording studios inside Boys & Girls Clubs offering youth the opportunity to explore, create, and record music for FREE. Notes for Notes Studios are packed with professional instruments - guitars, basses, drums, keyboards/synths - and equipment - DJ gear, digital music workstations - and full recording facilities. Beyond providing access to equipment and resources, we educate youth about careers both on the stage and behind the scenes.

Returning for its second season, EMPIRE is a drama about a family dynasty, set within the world of music, glamour, danger and power, EMPIRE shattered ratings records every week in its debut season; spawned hit records "Drip Drop" and "You're So Beautiful"; and made Cookie Lyon a household name. From Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television, the series was created by Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels and Emmy Award winner Danny Strong, and is executive-produced by Daniels, Strong, Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer, Ilene Chaiken and Francie Calfo. "Like" EMPIRE on Facebook at facebook.com/EmpireFOX. Follow the series on Twitter @EmpireFOX and join the discussion using #Empire. See photos and videos on Instagram by following @EmpireFOX.