The Nowell Family Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will open Bradley’s House, a residential substance use disorder recovery facility for musicians, on December 1 in the city of Redlands, California.
Inspired by late Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell, the Nowell family understands the unique needs of people in the music industry struggling with addiction. Their mission is to provide recovery services to the music community through the combined strength of the industry and those who have been touched by the power of music.
Since Bradley’s passing from a heroin overdose in 1996, the family has watched the opioid crisis devastate millions of Americans. The Foundation was started in 2017 by Bradley’s father, Jim “Papa” Nowell, along with son Jakob and sister Kellie, to help others avoid the tragedy that they experienced through losing their loved ones.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of people who died from a drug overdose in 2021 was over six times the number in 1999. The number of drug overdose deaths increased more than 16% from 2020 to 2021. Over 75% of the nearly 107,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021 involved an opioid.
“Everybody wants to do something to try to put some meaning into the loss of their child. And that’s what we are doing with Bradley’s House, trying to help musicians struggling through addiction,” states Jim “Papa” Nowell.
Bradley’s son, Jakob Nowell, shares the same determination: “When you lose someone important, you can either sit around or you can get to work and start helping others.”
Support for the family’s mission has been garnered throughout the music industry. Dozens of musicians – including Pepper, O.A.R., Iration and Common Kings – contributed to a benefit album produced by LAW Records titled The House That Bradley Built. Proceeds have created the catalyst to build the center.
The community stretches beyond the music industry. A live music fundraiser will be hosted at the Oceanside Museum of Art in spring 2024 along with other future events.
“It’s a privilege to open Bradley’s House on behalf of everyone who has donated and supported the cause,” states Kellie Nowell. “We are truly family.”