Look To The Stars News: Kid Rock

Hope For Haiti Now Breaks Charity Records

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:45:00 -0000

Friday night’s Hope for Haiti Now telethon, organized by George Clooney, has so far raised more than $57 million for the earthquake relief effort in Haiti.

Besides setting a record for the most money raised by a disaster relief telethon, the charity’s Hope for Haiti album – featuring performances on the telethon — became the largest one-day album pre-order in iTunes history.

Performers included: Robert Pattinson, Christina Aguilera, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Bruce Springsteen, Halle Berry, Julia Roberts, Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Keith Urban and Madonna among others.

The money will be split between 8 organizations: Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, Yéle Haiti Foundation and the Clinton-Bush Haiti Foundation.

Hope for Haiti is accepting donations for the next 6 months online at hopeforhaitinow.org, by phone at 877-99-Haiti or by texting GIVE to 50555.

Hope For Haiti Now - Muhammad Ali's Plea For Charity

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 10:08:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

As the stars came out and shone for Haiti last night during George Clooney's Hope For Haiti Now telethon, it was boxing legend Muhammad Ali who spoke loudest about the need for charity in times of hardship.

Appearing on stage in a wheelchair and unable to speak, the former boxer – who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease – looked on as comedian Chris Rock read out a speech he prepared earlier.

“By any name, charity can bring the people of our planet together … charity changes lives and saves lives … we call upon all the good people in every corner of the world to help … please give now,” he said. “In my life I’ve been called by many names. There are many names for the charity of the people of the earth and one of them is Zakat.”

Hosted by Clooney, Wyclef Jean, Anderson Cooper and a number of A-List celebs, the show featured performances from Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift in New York, as well as Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Sting, Keith Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles. Coldplay, Bono, Jay-Z, The Edge and Rihanna performed from London.

“This is a tragedy that reaches across all borders, all boundaries and demands our attention, our help and our compassion as fellow human beings,” said George Clooney, who – along with Leonardo DiCaprio – donated $1 million to the cause. "At the core of every religion is the belief that we care for one another … we take care of each other, especially in times of need. The Haitian people need our help. They need to know that they’re not alone. They need to know that we still care.

“This is an opportunity to help a neighbor in desperate need and to do it with the swiftness, expertise, generosity and love that resides in the best of who we are.”

George Clooney Brings Hope To Haiti Tonight

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:30:00 -0000

It will be a big night for charity tonight, as George Clooney's Hope For Haiti telethon hits TV screens across America and around the world.

Hosted by Clooney, Wyclef Jean and Anderson Cooper, the show will feature performances from Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift in New York, as well as Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Sting, Keith Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles. There will even be performances from Coldplay, Bono, Jay-Z, The Edge and Rihanna in London.

All performances will be available for download on iTunes for 99 cents on Saturday. The two-hour program will air commercial-free across ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, the CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT on Friday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The special will also air on PBS, TNT, Showtime, Comedy Central, Bravo, E! Entertainment Network, National Geographic Channel, Oxygen, G4, Centric, Current TV, Fuse, MLB Network, Epix, Palladia, SoapNet, Style, Discovery Health and Planet Green, as well as Canada’s CTV, CBC Television, Global Television and MuchMusic. It will also air internationally on BET International, CNN International, National Geographic and MTV Networks International, available in 640 million homes worldwide. “Hope for Haiti” will be the first U.S.-based telethon airing on MTV in China. Facebook and Twitter are the official social media partners who will help to drive donations and tune-in to the telethon.

All donations will directly benefit Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF and Wyclef’s Yéle Haiti Foundation. Facebook and MySpace have signed on as official social-media partners to help steer viewers to the telethon and drive donations.

Additionally, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and World Food Programme have joined the list of relief organizations that will benefit from the show, with proceeds to be split evenly among each organization’s individual Haiti relief funds.

“Hope For Haiti Now” will be the most widely distributed telethon in history, internationally and across media platforms, including live streaming globally on sites including YouTube, Hulu, MySpace, Fancast, AOL, MSN.com, Yahoo, Bing.com, BET.com, MTV.com, and Rhapsody, and RightCelebrity.com will be streaming the show live with a donation of 1 cent to the American Red Cross for every person who joins their live blog. The telethon is also available on mobile via Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and FloTV.

Kid Rock Joins Zac Brown Band And Friends To Rebuild The Georgia Theatre

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0000

The Zac Brown Band hosted and performed at the Georgia Theatre benefit concert on Friday, October 30, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta – and raised over $75,000 for the cause.

Joining the band on stage to perform songs from their album ‘The Foundation,’ their favorite covers, and new unreleased material were: Kid Rock, Little Big Town, Joey and Rory, Shawn Mullins, Oliver Wood, Angie Aparo and Aslyn.

A DVD of the evening’s performances, directed by Darren Doane (who also shot the band’s “Toes” video), goes on sale nationwide in Spring 2010 and all concertgoers will get a free copy of the DVD as a gift for purchasing tickets.

“My band and many others have come up playing there,” explains Zac Brown. "That building means far more to us, and the community, then its brick and mortar foundation. We want to make sure that it gets proper funding so we can rebuild it better than it was. It will remain a center for art and music long into the future with everyone’s help.  

To raise additional money for The Georgia Theatre Rehabilitation Fund, the evening auctioned donations including: 

Signed guitars, one each from Kenny Chesney, Dave Matthews, Marshall Tucker, John Mayer and Styx. 
Signed fiddle from Charlie Daniels. 
A pair of signed boots and photograph from Darius Rucker. 
Two tickets and a signed Halloween poster from Wide Spread Panic to their New Year’s Eve bash at Atlanta’s Philips Arena.
Four tickets with meet & greet passes from Colt Ford for his show at South Carolina’s Florence Civic Center on November 21st. 
A cabin for two on the 2010 “Sailing Southern Ground” cruise. 
A two-hour training session in LA with UFC World Champion Rampage Jackson, and 
Prints from the Gibson Guitars 50th anniversary Hatch Show.

  Proceeds from the show go to rebuild the dearly beloved and recently decommissioned Georgia Theatre. Prior to a devastating fire earlier this year, the movie-palace-turned-music-club hosted performances by all the local legends including R.E.M., B-52s, Drive-By Truckers and Widespread Panic.

“The Zac Brown Band are showing their incredible generosity and their love for the Athens music scene by hosting this benefit,” says Wilmot Greene, Georgia Theatre owner. “The presence of the Theatre in Athens has allowed bands to find an important early audience that helps to bring bigger success later. That’s a big part of the tradition of the Theatre and is an important aspect of why it needs to be rebuilt. This concert will be a huge help.” 

 Presented by Outback Concerts, proceeds of the show went directly to The Georgia Theatre Rehabilitation Fund, handled by The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

Legends Sign Guitars For Charity Auction

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0000

A huge selection of guitars signed by rock legends both old and new will go under the hammer next weekend to aid in the fight against child cancer.

Stars Guitars is a family friendly gala that will feature a concert by REO Speedwagon, exciting live and silent auctions featuring guitars signed by popular musicians and a gourmet strolling dinner. Proceeds from this high-energy evening support the Charles A. Main, M.D. Pediatric Cancer Survivor Scholarship Fund of Beaumont Hospitals. In addition to college scholarships, health grants will also be awarded to Beaumont Hospitals’ Late Effects Clinic for Survivors of Childhood Cancer.

Among the guitars on offer are instruments signed by Carlos Santana, Ozzy Osbourne, The Doobie Brothers, Jason Mraz, Alice Cooper, Steve Vai, Yoko Ono, Paramore, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Les Paul, Bad Company, Melissa Etheridge, Motley Crue, Counting Crows, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Kid Rock, Bob Seger, Angels & Airwaves, Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, Rob Zombie, Staind, The Jonas Brothers, Gretchen Wilson, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney and many more.

Stars Guitars will take place on Oct. 24 at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn.

Proceeds support the hospital’s pediatric cancer programs in the Detroit suburbs of Royal Oak, Grosse Pointe and Troy.

To find out more about this amazing event, go to the official website.

Kid Rock Donates To Beating Victim

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Kid Rock has donated $1,500 to a pizza delivery driver who suffered serious injuries after a beating.

28-year-old Harry Colyer of Ohio needed reconstructive surgery on his broken cheekbones and smashed nose after the attack, and now has a slight hearing loss. Kid Rock was appalled when he read about the robbery, and felt moved to help.

Kid Rock’s spokesperson, Nick Stern, said the star – who refused to comment – regularly helps people in small and quiet ways, and doesn’t like to draw attention to it.

Kid Rock To Headline Charity Concert In New York

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF), a leader in innovative music therapy treatments and research, is pleased to announce a special Music Has Power Benefit Concert on September 2 at New York City’s Terminal 5. Kid Rock will headline the event.

The Bronx-based Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, a member of the Beth Abraham Family of Health Services, is a nonprofit agency founded on the idea that music has unique powers to heal, rehabilitate, and inspire — and that music therapy can be used to restore and improve physical, emotional, and neurological health. The Institute is dedicated to advancing scientific inquiry on music and the brain and to developing clinical treatments to benefit people of all ages and was founded with the help of renowned neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks.

Past Music Has Power events have featured appearances and performances by Beastie Boys, Chris Martin, Gwyneth Paltrow, Dustin Hoffman, Moby, Rob Thomas, the B-52’s, Kris Kristofferson, Rufus Wainright, Bruce Hornsby, Vanessa Carlton and many others.

Tickets available to the general public on Saturday, August 8th at 12PM via Ticketmaster. All tickets for this event will be $100. More info can be found here.

Terminal 5 is located at 610 West 56th Street, NYC 10019.

Curtis Granderson Hosts Charity Bachelor Auction

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Major League Baseball player Curtis Granderson hosted a charity wine evening and bachelor auction last night, July 23, to raise money for his Grand Kids Foundation.

The Detroit Tigers star raised around $40,000 for his foundation – which he established to help underprivileged children in Detroit and other areas – and the auction saw some of his MLB friends go under the hammer as eligible bachelors. Memorabilia from Magic Johnson, Joe Montana and Kid Rock was also sold for the cause. Two women paid over $6,000 each for dates with Granderson.

The foundation helps provide educational resources for schools and students in need while establishing scholarship programs in Detroit and Flint, and providing equipment for inner-city athletics programs.

“The importance of education is something I cannot stress enough to our nation’s youth, and I want to help find ways to ease the burden within some of these inner city schools while also striving to make learning more fun,” said Granderson. “Facilities and supplies are old and worn, classrooms are overcrowded, and scholarship programs are limited.”

Room 23 Opens The Lives Of Celebrities For Human Rights

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:30:00 -0000

A new book featuring photos of over 100 celebrities will raise money for a human rights project.

Room 23 is the brainchild of entrepreneur and philanthropist Diana Jenkins and depicts a year in the life of a Beverly Hills penthouse suite. Stars to take part in the project and allow themselves to be intimately revealed include George Clooney, Cindy Crawford, Elton John, Dennis Hopper, Larry King, Heidi Klum, Kid Rock, Lindsay Lohan, Ludacris, Moby, Hayden Panettiere, Christian Slater, Sharon Stone and many more.

The book – to be released in 120 countries on September 8 – will benefit the Sanela Diana Jenkins International Human Rights Project, a non-profit entity at the UCLA School of Law that brings war criminals to justice through legal resources and technology. Established by Bosnian-born Diana Jenkins, the project aims at developing groundbreaking approaches to advancing human rights and to training the next generation of human rights lawyers and advocates.

“When good things happen for me, I pay it forward by helping my country,” said Jenkins. “In the Bosnian-Serbian War, people lost homes, cars and money, but the greatest casualty was the loss of family and friends. No one should ever have to be a victim of human rights violations, so that is why I founded the Sanela Diana Jenkins International Human Rights Project.”

Other stars to feature in the book include James Blunt, Rachel Hunter, Peter Wentz, Jerry Weintraub and many more.

To find out more, visit the official website.

Jay Leno‘s “Comedy Stimulus Plan” A Roaring Success

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Isra Shah

Comedian Jay Leno made good on his promise to visit hard-hit Detroit for a free show to give something back to the area’s unemployed last week.

The two day event, dubbed “Jay’s Comedy Stimulus Plan,” drew in about 36,000 laid-off auto workers, who were treated to free refreshments and fun, as well as a surprise appearance by Detroit native Kid Rock, who introduced Leno to the crowd.

Leno cited his love of cars as one of the reasons that he chose to travel to the Motor City. “I like Detroit,” he told People Magazine. “It’s one of those old cities. And when you’re an auto guy like me, that city is Jerusalem.” The inspiration behind his decision to offer a free show for those caught in the tumult of the economic downturn, however, was President Obama.

“I’m listening to him say we all gotta do our part in these rough times, and I’m thinking that all I can do is tell jokes,” Leno says. “But if I can go and make people laugh, then that’s great.”

In addition to performing stand up at the event, the Tonight Show host spent part of his time in Detroit visiting with officials from General Motors and Ford; Leno toured the factories’ facilities and test drove some of the newer vehicles in the manufacturers’ product lines.   Afterwards, he told his audience that he recently purchased a Chevrolet Corvette and a Dodge Challenger, saying that he is “a rich guy” who can purchase any car he wants, but that chose to buy the two American vehicles because he likes them and because they are “world-class” products.

“I think you should buy it because you want to and because it is as good a product,” Leno said. “I don’t think you should buy it because you feel sorry for some situation.”

Ultimately, Leno told the crowd that, the credit for the autos’ superiority lies with the workers of Detroit.

“This is one of the great industrial cities. This is a city that actually makes a product! During World War II, your fathers and grandfathers made a bomber an hour at Willow Run, faster than the Germans or Japanese could shoot them down.”

Leno also credited unions for the success of blue collar workers in decades past. “I want to thank you,” he told the crowd. “You guys created the middle class.”

Due to the warm reception in Detroit, future stops of the “Comedy Stimulus” tour may follow in other cities. Stay tuned for future dates on the show’s website.

Neil Diamond MusiCares Concert Is A "Double-Whammy"

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Neil Diamond will be honored as MusiCares Person Of The Year later tonight – Friday, February 6 – in a concert celebrating his music and humanitarian spirit.

Heading up the list of performers set to join the music legend on stage at the Los Angeles Convention Centre are Kid Rock and British band Coldplay. Also on the agenda are the Foo Fighters, Jennifer Hudson, Jonas Brothers, Josh Groban and Faith Hill.

“It’s a double-whammy,” Diamond joked to the Associated Press. “I get a chance to help raise a lot of money and a little plaque that says, ‘Hey, you’re OK.’”

Diamond is being honored for his charity work, which includes his recent donations to victims of Hurricane Ike.

Proceeds from the concert will go to MusiCares, an organization that provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need by supplying services and resources that cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies. The evening will also feature a fantastic silent auction.

Catch A Baseball Signed By Five US Presidents For Charity

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A complete set of Harry Potter books signed by author JK Rowling and artworks signed by former president Jimmy Carter are some of the items up for sale in an exciting new auction to raise money for an organization that promotes peace and health worldwide and monitors elections in struggling democracies.

Over 100 items will be up for grabs in the auction, to benefit the Carter Center. One of the most sought-after prizes is a baseball signed by five American presidents – George Bush Sr, George W. Bush Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter. Also raising eyebrows and bids will be a a certificate commemorating the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing, signed by Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong. There are also photographs taken on the moon and signed by the astronauts, as well as guitars signed by David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Michael Stipe, Bruce Springsteen and Kid Rock.

The auction will take place during the Carter Center’s annual Winter Weekend celebration Feb. 7 in Port St. Lucie. More information about the auction and how to bid online can be found at the Carter Center website.

Michael Jordan Golf Invitational Set For This Month

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Aime Pingi

The eighth Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI) will be held this year at the luxurious Ocean Club Golf Course from Wednesday, January 21, to Sunday, January 25, on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

MJCI consistently brings in an incredible array of talent from the worlds of sports and entertainment to compete on the course and participate in various events – all in the name of charity.

“I love golf and I love the Bahamas, I can’t think of a better location than the Ocean Club Golf Course and Atlantis, Paradise Island for my eighth annual golf tournament,” said Michael Jordan. “January is the best time of the year to be in the Bahamas. The weather is fantastic and the competition is always fierce. I hope to see you there!”

Over $500,000 will be dispersed to the following:

Butch Kerzner Summit Foundation
Make-A-Wish Foundation
The James R. Jordan Foundation

Forty additional charities will be designated by celebrity participants.

In its first six years, over $3 million has been donated to various charities.

In 2008 the golfers competed for a purse of $200,000 that was donated to the charity of their choice.

One of the highlights last year was a concert at Atlantis featuring Ashanti, Fat Joe, The Pussycat Dolls, and the O.J.s. Some of the other stars in attendance were Spike Lee, Kid Rock, Boris Kodjoe, Alan Thicke, Stephen Baldwin, John McEnroe, Stone Phillips, Mario Lemieux, Dave Annable, Flex Alexander, Angie Everhart, Dan Jensen, Brandie Chastain, Dennis Haysbert, Connie Chung and Maury Povich.

For more information, contact Dusty Ann Williams at the MJCI Tournament Office: Telephone 561.964.0382, Email: dwilliams@jpse.net.

Jonas Brothers To Play Charity Concert For Auto Show

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:30:00 -0000

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) has announced the Grammy nominated Jonas Brothers will play a special concert at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena on January 18, 2009 to help raise funds for the annual Charity Preview.

The 2009 Charity Preview will take place at Cobo Center on January 16 from 6-9 PM. Since its inception in 1976, Charity Preview has raised over $77 million for children’s charities in metro Detroit — over $32 million of which was raised in the last five years alone. Medical treatment, clothing and support services for local kids in need all are made possible through the purchase of Charity Preview tickets. The annual event has delivered more than $6 million to children’s charities in Southeastern Michigan.

Metro Detroit area beneficiaries of the Charity Preview include: Barat Child and Family Services; Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan; Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit; The Children's Center, Judson Center, Children’s Services of Northeastern Guidance Center Assistance League, The Detroit Institute for Children, Think Detroit PAL, Easter Seals – Michigan, March Of Dimes, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, and the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund – a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

The Jonas Brothers join a growing list of celebrities that have attended Charity Preview in years past to help raise funds for children in need. Previous attendees include Céline Dion, Aretha Franklin, Kid Rock, Kevin Bacon and Jay Leno. Through their Change for the Children Foundation, the Jonas Brothers raise funds to support programs that motivate and inspire children to face adversity with confidence, determination and the will to succeed. Their first fundraising initiative – You Decide. You Donate. – launched this past summer and through the generosity of their fans, was able to donate to charities including NothingButNets.net, American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Camp, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Summer Stars.

“We couldn’t be more pleased that an act as large as the Jonas Brothers have offered their support to Charity Preview,” said Joe Serra, senior co-chair of the 2009 NAIAS. “Not only will attendees be supporting local children’s charities in this time of dire need, but they will be able to provide the kids in their life with a ticket to the hottest concert in town.”

For every Charity Preview ticket purchased, patrons will receive one free ticket to see the Jonas Brothers live in concert on January 18, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena. There are a limited number of Charity Preview tickets that are tied to the Jonas Brothers concert. Tickets must be purchased between December 23, 2008 and January 5, 2009. Proceeds from all ticket sales will go to benefit Charity Preview. Charity Preview ticket holders who purchased prior to December 23 will be contacted and given the option for Jonas Brothers tickets as well.

For details on how funds from the Charity Preview are used to give back to the local community, see here-.

Grab Heidi Klum's Jacket For 15 Below

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fancy slipping into a jacket signed by supermodel Heidi Klum or Sir Elton John? Now’s your chance – the 15 Below Project’s charity auction has been extended.

The 15 Below Project is an initiative between clothes designers TAXI and The Salvation Army to create a cheap but high quality jacket for the homeless.

“It’s a lifeline for people without homes. They’re a pretty low-cost, immediate way to address a huge issue,” said Paul Lavoie, co-founder, chairman, and chief creative officer of TAXI. “Our approach to solving problems – of any sort – has always been to question convention. This won’t eliminate homelessness, but it can make a lot of people more comfortable.”

Since November, celebrity-signed 15 Below jackets have been on auction, with stars such as Michael Stipe, Kid Rock, Robert Plant, Michael Caine, Jon Stewart and Nelly Furtado autographing the items. Although those auctions have finished, Klum and Sir Elton have now come to the party by donating signed jackets.

But wait – there’s more! Klum hasn’t only donated a jacket, but has also included two pairs of jeans from the clothing line she designed for Jordache.

These auctions end on December 11. The jackets have multiple pockets and are both warm and waterproof. When not being worn, the jacket can be folded into a backpack for easy transportation, or used as a pillow. To bid on Heidi Klum’s jacket and jeans, click here, and for Sir Elton’s item, click here.

George Clooney Hosts Charity Dinner For Darfur

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor George Clooney raised $14.57 million for charity when he hosted a fundraising party in London last Thursday, December 4.

The dinner party was held at the home of banker Roger Jenkins, a senior executive at Barclays, with guests – such as Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Cindy Crawford, Sarah Ferguson, Bono, David Walliams, Michael Caine, Claudia Schiffer, Christian Slater, and Guy Ritchie – paying up to $20,000 for a ticket. Kid Rock provided the entertainment, while television chefs Antony Worrall Thompson and Ainsley Harriott provided the food.

Proceeds from the evening went to Clooney’s Not On Our Watch, a charity he founded with actor Don Cheadle in 2007 to focus global attention and resources towards putting an end to mass atrocities in Darfur.

Clooney followed up the charity dinner by presenting ‘Golden Heart’ awards to aid workers who have spent time working in Darfur at the Ein Herz Für Kinder charity event in Berlin on Saturday night. Hosted by Thomas Gottschalk, the televised event also featured an appearance by Boris Becker.

Singers Make Paper Dolls For Charity Auction

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Some of the biggest country stars on the planet have decorated paper dolls in an exciting new charity initiative.

Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, Clint Black, Tracy Byrd, LeAnn Rimes, Willie Nelson, Jewel, Wynonna, Rascal Flatts, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, and Reba McEntire – as well as Kid Rock, Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson and Jordin Sparks – are among the 50 singers who have put pen to paper and let their artistic skills out of the closet to design paper dolls, which will benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Through Project Paper Doll, the Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt “reminds us that tomorrow can be a better day – every day – when we all work together to combine inspiration, innovation and knowledge to Make Something Happen.”

Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital is a leading provider of healthcare for children, serving Middle Tennessee and beyond. The 222 bed facility includes a variety of family accommodations and is also a teaching facility, as well as home to internationally recognized research. This year, more than 154,000 children were seen in their clinics, over 43,000 children seen in the Emergency Department and nearly 13,000 admissions to the hospital.

The paper dolls will be auctioned on eBay from November 28 to December 17.

Stars To Be BRAVE For Veterans

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Hip Hop stars 50 Cent and Ludacris will perform at a concert to raise awareness of veterans causes next month.

“A Night for Vets: An MTV Concert for the BRAVE” is part of MTV’s Choose or Lose campaign, an initiative designed to engage, inform and empower young voters on the political issues that matter to them most. The concert hopes to draw attention to a new petition launched by MTV called the Bill of Rights for American Veterans (or BRAVE) which calls on politicians to support vets’ issues and enact positive legislative changes.

“It doesn’t matter where you stand on the war — we can all agree that young veterans serving our country must receive the benefits they’ve earned for their sacrifices,” said MTV President Van Toffler. “By raising awareness through ‘A Night for Vets: An MTV Concert for the BRAVE,’ and by launching the BRAVE petition, we aim to elevate these issues and ensure they’re a top priority for our government officials.”

The concert – which will be taped on October 23 and aired on MTV on October 24 – will also feature performances by Kanye West, Kid Rock, Fall Out Boy, Juanes, Nelly and Taylor Swift, with appearances from Beyoncé Knowles, Will Ferrell, Common, Fat Joe, Seth Green, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend and Wyclef Jean.

Justin Timberlake Proves That Fashion Rocks

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus and Charlize Theron were some of the stars who appeared at the fifth annual Fashion Rocks concert celebrating the relationship between music and fashion last Friday.

Proceeds from the show – which was televised on CBS on Tuesday night – went to Stand Up To Cancer, which held its own star-studded telethon on the same evening. The Fashion Rocks show included a performance of more than a dozen divas — including Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Natasha Bedingfield, Fergie, Rihanna and Cyrus — who sung their new charity song Just Stand Up, which was beamed live to the Stand Up To Cancer television extravaganza.

“This is the first time we’re all together singing the song,” said Bedingfield. “It was really special. It was really like a sisterhood, like a bond… We’re all used to being the stars — the only star in the room — and it was really nice I think that everyone could just come together and really support each other.”

Also present at Fashion Rocks were Hilary Swank and Hayden Panettiere, with performances from Kid Rock, Keith Urban, Duffy, the Black Eyed Peas, and the Pussycat Dolls. But it was the sizzling duet between Timberlake and Beyonce on “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing” that stole the show.

And just to prove that there really is nothing like the real thing, Timberlake has also confirmed he will once again host the Shriners Hospitals for Children Golf Open in October.

Following on from the success of last year’s event, the Open will take place October 13-19 at the TPC Summerlin course in Las Vegas.

The annual event has taken place every year since 1983 and has raised more than $10 million for Las Vegas area charities. Previous champions include Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Paul Azinger, Jim Furyk, Curtis Strange and Fuzzy Zoeller.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of facilities in North America that provides superior medical care at no charge to children under the age of 18, and more information about the event – including how to get tickets – can be found at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Golf Open website.

Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Still Going Strong

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

If ever there was a main event in the name of charity it would be the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.

Year after year, millions of Americans tune in to watch the all-day event. This year’s line up of celebrity hosts for the telethon included Jann Carl, Tom Bergeron, and Alison Sweeney among other esteemed personalities, with performances by Céline Dion, 3 Doors Down, Kid Rock and Reba McEntire. Running 21-1/2 hours, the MDA telethon began at 9 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 31 and continued through the evening of Labor Day, with about $65 million raised during the run.

A special plea was also made for MDA-registered families forced to leave their homes because of the hurricane, which made landfall Monday in Louisiana.

Now in its 43rd year, and with immense competition coming from multiple choices in cable programming and increased internet use, an online auction has been incorporated to boost the telethon’s efforts.

The auction runs until September 4th, and features thousands of celebrity items, sports memorabilia and trips. To view the full list of auction items, visit the MDA website.

Fashion Concert Stands Up To Cancer

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé Knowles and Rihanna have been revealed as some of the acts confirmed to perform at this year’s New York Fashion Rocks concert.

The concert, which will take place on September 5, first took New York
Fashion Week by storm in 2004 and still remains one of the hottest events on the celebrity charity calendar. The legendary Radio City Music Hall will once again play host to the star-studded live event, celebrating the powerful relationship between fashion and music. The concert will air the following Tuesday night in a two-hour special on the CBS television network (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

Proceeds from the event will benefit Stand Up To Cancer, whose own television special will go to air on September 5.

“In just five years, Fashion Rocks has become one of the most exciting multi-media events of the year,” said Richard Beckman, president of Conde Nast Media Group. “Whether on stage at the live event, during the show’s broadcast or in the pages of the magazine, Fashion Rocks uniquely celebrates the intersection of two of the most sexy cultural paradigms; fashion and music. This year, we have a spectacular line-up of talent and performances that will take the show to a whole new level.”

Other performers confirmed to appear include Keith Urban, Chris Brown, Kid Rock, Fergie, Lil Wayne, and the Black Eyed Peas.

More info can be found at the Fashion Rocks website.

Kid Rock Raises Eyebrows And Money At Charity Golf Tournament

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Detroit rocker Kid Rock hit the green in his home town on Wednesday to take part in the Buick Open Pro-Am golf tournament .

This year’s 50th anniversary tournament saw a host of Detroit’s favorite sons swinging their clubs with the best, including the Red Wing’s Kirk Maltby, Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, and Former Piston Vinnie Johnson, but it was Kid Rock and his pro partner John Daly that drew the crowds to the event.

Dressed in bib overalls and a white T-shirt, the 37 year-old-rocker spent more time signing autographs and searching for balls he sliced into the trees than actually playing golf, but the atmosphere was one of fun and humor.

“I’m a people person,” said Rock. “I love people and being around people. I got [into the entertainment business] to make some money, originally. Little did I know I would end up on a golf course with John Daly and doing all sorts of charity work and going overseas. It’s been great. I’m very humbled and very privileged.”

The tournament raised money for the American Red Cross and the Boys' and Girls' Club of Greater Flint, as well as the Whalley Children Center, Easter Seals, and the Flint Institute of Music.

A Game, A Dress, And A Brawl For Charity

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:29:30 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A special surprise for Look to the Stars readers

Be sure to visit Look To The Stars tomorrow, Wednesday March 12, to read our exclusive interview with Leeza Gibbons as she tells us a little about the causes that are closest to her heart.

Between a Rock and a hard place

It’s a case of a bad boy wanting to be good with singer Kid Rock. The Devil Without A Cause looks like he is turning over a new leaf, and is returning to the Waffle House restaurant where he was arrested last year – but this time it’s for charity.

The 37-year-old was charged with battery after a brawl in Duluth, Georgia, in October. But the musician has now decided to make amends by greeting fans and signing autographs at the scene of the crime as part of a fundraiser for a local homeless shelter, Nicholas House.

“For a while now, we’ve been working with Kid Rock’s management to try and turn a negative into a positive,” said Waffle House spokesperson Pat Warner. “We’re hoping to raise some money for a worthwhile charity.”

The event will occur later today, March 11.

Tennis for charity in the desert

Another event taking place today is the fourth annual K-Swiss Desert Smash Charity Tennis and Golf event being held at the La Quinta Resort in Palm Springs. The event benefits the Coachella Valley chapter of Variety - The Children's Charity and features a special tennis match between 2008 Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic.

Other celebrities expected to attend include Bush frontman (and husband of Gwen Stefani) Gavin Rossdale, Borat star Ken Davitian, and David Spade.

Theron shares her threads for charity

Another star in the mood for giving is the stunning Charlize Theron, who is auctioning off the first red carpet gown she was ever given to wear by a designer.

No, the dress isn’t made from red carpet – it’s actually a one-of-a-kind silk dress designed exclusively for the actress’ debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000 by Narciso Rodriguez.

All of the proceeds from the auction, which can be accessed through Theron’s eBay page, will go to the Charlize Theron African Outreach Project, a mobile clinic that serves more than 3000 high school students in Theron’s home country of South Africa. The project was launched in 2007 in association with the Entertainment Industry Foundation to create a safer, healthier, and better life for families in South Africa, especially those touched by the effect of HIV/AIDS.

The auction runs until March 13, and the bids have already gone over $1,000.

Other auctions running on eBay Giving Works right now include the chance to have lunch with JAG and Bruce Almighty star Catherine Bell in LA. The auction runs until March 17, and proceeds go to Communities in Schools, nation’s largest dropout prevention organization. The original Hannah Montana_, Miley Ray Cyrus, is also holding an auctionW0QQitemZ260217660695QQihZ016QQcategoryZ61QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QqcmdZViewItem right now. The young star is selling an autographed chair, with proceeds to go to Variety - The Children's Charity.

Leona Lewis – a star on the rise

Another star with an interest in South Africa at the moment is singer Leona Lewis. The 22-year-old X Factor winner is currently enjoying a meteoric rise to fame, with her album Spirit holding the record for the fastest selling debut album ever released in the UK. And now the young star has witnessed the extent of the AIDS pandemic during a recent trip to South Africa.

Lewis has just returned from a 3-day trip to Johannesburg with Sport Relief, an initiative of Comic Relief, in which she raised awareness of the plight of AIDS orphans and sufferers. But it was all almost too much for the singer, who describes in her diary how she broke down while visiting some of the worst cases.

“Some of the horrors I have seen will never leave me,” she said. “It’s amazing to see the great work that Sport Relief does firsthand and the difference they make, their projects and centres keep communities going and give them something to be proud and positive about.”

In response to her trip, Lewis has just announced that the stunning purple gown she wore for her performance at last month’s Brit Awards will be auctioned on eBay, with all proceeds going to Sport Relief.

“It’s been a great pleasure for me to work with Leona Lewis right from the start,” said Roberto Cavalli, who designed the dress. “She has an incredible voice, beautiful eyes, and a fresh and positive attitude. I’m happy that a dress I have created for her for an important occasion is now being auctioned for a charity. It’s a sign of her great generosity and I’m proud that the name Roberto Cavalli is linked to it.”

As if all of that is not enough, the singer is also donating the proceeds from her new double A-side single, Footprints In The Sand/Better In Time, to the charity.

Celebrities' Festive Gifts

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:21:24 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A pledge to walk one of the biggest man-made structures in the world, a successful celebrity auction, a tour of far away places, and a donation of time and energy were just some of the ways celebrities gave to the poor, the sick, and those unable to spend time with their families this Christmas.

Singer Olivia Newton-John met with the founders of Welsh breast cancer charity In The Pink over Christmas to discuss fund raising opportunities, and revealed her plans to walk the length of the Great Wall of China in April. Proceeds from the walk will go to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre in Australia, and the 59-year-old breast cancer survivor will also donate items to In The Pink to auction later in the year.

Meanwhile, socialite Kathy Hilton organized a charity auction over Christmas, featuring a selection of items donated by some of her famous friends. Mel Gibson's jeans, Tom Cruise's sunglasses, and an Ocean’s Thirteen script signed by the movie’s stars, including George Clooney and Brad Pitt, raised money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“Christmas is my favorite time of the year,” said Hilton, mother of Paris Hilton. “I have worked with Make-A-Wish before, and I wanted to do something really special. Hopefully… I’ll make it an annual event.”

Robin Williams, Lance Armstrong, Kid Rock, and Lewis Black were also busy over the festive season, and joined current Miss USA Rachel Smith on a 14 show tour with the USO in Afghanistan.

The shows were well received by soldiers from all nations, stationed away from their homes and families this Christmas.

“Afghanistan is sometimes called the forgotten war,” said one soldier who watched the shows. “We don’t get a lot of attention here, and conditions are pretty miserable. So it means a lot.”

The USO organized 52 celebrity tours in 2007 – which included over 300 shows.

And in Los Angeles, Jennifer Love Hewitt joined her new fiancé Ross McCall, as well as Melissa Joan Hart and Melissa Gilbert, to dish out dinners to the needy at the Los Angeles Mission.

“I have made it a point to come to the Los Angeles Mission at Christmas,” said the 28-year-old actress. “There are so many hurting people on the streets of our city, but when I’m here I get to see the smiles of the children and the great food for everyone. I come to give something back, but invariably I get more blessings than I give.”

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