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John Rzeznik and Robby Takac: VP of Eternal Buffalo Ambassadors
Brittney Howard: VP Holding On

John Rzeznik and Robby Takac

VPs of The Big Machine (Eternal Buffalo Ambassadors)

John Rzeznik and Robby Takac formed The Goo Goo Dolls in 1986 in Buffalo, New York. After starting off as a cover band and then developing a punk sound, The Goo Goo Dolls experienced mainstream success following the 1995 release of their breakthrough single, "Name".

They quietly broke records, contributed a string of staples to the American songbook, connected to millions of fans, and indelibly impacted popular music for three-plus decades. Beyond selling 15 million records worldwide, the group garnered four GRAMMY® Award nominations and seized a page in the history books by achieving 16 number one and Top 10 hits—"the most of any artist.” As a result, they hold the all-time radio record for “Most Top 10 Singles.” Among a string of hits, “Iris” clutched #1 on the Hot 100 for 18 straight weeks and would be named “#1 Top 40 Song of the Last 20 Years.”

In 2004, Takac founded the Music is Art Festival in Buffalo, a not-for-profit organization, and operates as their president. MiA seeks to explore and reshape music's cultural, social, and educational impact on the community. Active throughout the year, MiA is supported by a multitude of programs, concerts, and events, ranging from collecting and donating instruments to local schools, mental health awareness tours, music industry education, among others.