Look To The Stars News: Steve Earle

Chimes Of Freedom: Stars Cover Bob Dylan For Charity

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Two iconic forces that have impacted the past 50 years – the life-saving human rights activism of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Amnesty International and the incomparable artistry of Bob Dylan – are being saluted by 80 musicians who contributed new or previously unreleased recordings to Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International.

The collection is scheduled for physical (4 discs) and digital release in North America on January 24, 2012 through Fontana Distribution. It will be distributed internationally through Fontana International, a Universal Music company, on January 30.

Chimes of Freedom features a stellar and diverse group of artists across the generational and musical spectrum. The performers, including many of Amnesty International’s longtime supporters, range in age from teenage pop star Miley Cyrus, 19, to folk music legend Pete Seeger, who, at 92, records Dylan’s poignant “Forever Young,” with a children’s chorus.

Celebrities Support Troy Davis Ahead Of Execution

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:05:00 +0000

On September 21, the state of Georgia is set to execute Troy Davis in the face of overwhelming evidence that he is innocent, and a number of celebrities are lending him their support through Amnesty USA.

Troy Davis was convicted of murdering a Georgia police officer in 1991. However, the case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial. Since then, all but two of the state’s non-police witnesses from the trial have recanted or contradicted their testimony.

Many of these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were pressured or coerced by police into testifying or signing statements against Troy Davis.

Steve Earle Rereleases Songs For Workers Unions

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Steve Earle has rereleased two of his songs to support protests of public worker unions in Wisconsin and around the US.

The Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter has released a special 2-track dig single featuring Harlan Man and The Mountain to benefit the America Votes Labor Unity Fund via SaveWorkers.org.

“Unions are a fundamental component of Democracy throughout the free world. All eyes are on Wisconsin,” said Earle.

Steve Earle Featured On Charity Album For New Orleans

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Steve Earle and his wife, Allison Moorer, are just two of the stars who have donated songs to a new benefit album raising funds for those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Joining the couple – who welcomed a new baby into their lives earlier this year – on Dear New Orleans are a number of bands and artists, including OK Go, Tom Morello and My Morning Jacket. The album is being produced by Air Traffic Control, an organization that has been co-hosting activism retreats in New Orleans for the last four years.

Proceeds from the Dear New Orleans album will go to a number of organizations working to support and sustain the region’s unique musical and cultural traditions, and to protect and restore vital environmental and community resources for future generations. These include Sweet Home New Orleans and the Gulf Restoration Network.

Steve Earle Awarded For Death Penalty Opposition

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:00:00 +0000

The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (NCADP), the oldest U.S. organization devoted to abolishing capital punishment, gave singer Steve Earle the “Shining Star of Abolition” award for his involvement and role in organizations that oppose the death penalty, as well as the open activism within his songs.

The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty was founded in 1976 in response to the Supreme Court decision in Gregg v. Georgia which permitted executions to resume in the United States. Their mission: abolish the death penalty in the U.S. and support efforts to abolish the death penalty world wide.

  Headquartered in Washington, DC, NCADP serves its network of over 100 state and national affiliates. NCADP provides them with technical assistance, training and strategic advice and assists in devising public policy campaigns to end, limit or repeal the death penalty, state by state. For advocates committed to ending the death penalty NCADP serves as a clearinghouse with contacts and information. NCADP produces reports, fact sheets and other public education materials for use in state campaigns. NCADP publishes Lifelines, Lifelines State and Execution Alert.

30 Rock Spoof To Raise Real Cash For Charity

Wed, 20 May 2009 15:30:00 +0000

A star-studded charity spoof song recorded for television series 30 Rock is set to raise cash for a real-life charity organization.

He Needs A Kidney is a song written and recorded for the comedy series that features hilarious appearances by Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, Elvis Costello, Norah Jones, Michael McDonald, the Beastie Boys, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, Mary J. Blige, Cyndi Lauper, Moby, Clay Aiken and many more.

The song is now available for sale as a download on iTunes.com with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the National Kidney Foundation.

Bruce Springsteen To Headline Pete Seeger's Charity Birthday Concert

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, Steve Earle, Ben Harper, Tom Morrello and Billy Bragg have been confirmed to perform at Pete Seeger’s 90th birthday gig in May, with proceeds going to charity.

Also set to perform at the gig at Madison Square Garden on May 3 are Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson and many more. The show is set to benefit the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater , a non-profit organisation created to defend and restore the Hudson River.

From the charity’s website: "Clearwater is a 106-foot wooden sailing sloop designed after 18th and 19th century Dutch sailing sloops. In 1966, folk singer and activist Pete Seeger had the vision that the public would come to care for all of our threatened waterways by learning to care for one boat and one river. He inspired a group of dedicated people who made the dream a reality. Launched in 1969, Clearwater serves as a moveable classroom, laboratory, stage, and forum. More than a dozen national and international programs have successfully modeled programs after those pioneered by Clearwater.

Benefit Tickets Available For Jackson Browne And Bonnie Raitt Shows

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Non-profit organization The Guacamole Fund has some exciting fundraising events and raffles for 2009.

Singer Jackson Browne is set to embark on a world tour in the summer, and special tickets benefiting the Fund are available for many of his gigs in the US. Several of these concerts also feature Steve Earle and Shawn Colvin, and include dates in Boston, San Diego, Oklahoma and many more in July and August. More info on purchasing these tickets can be found here Raitt also has benefit tickets for her tour in May, including dates in Texas, Tennessee, and Florida. More information about these tickets can be found here.

The Guacamole Fund is also raffling off a unique Fender Squire Strat “Affinity Series” Guitar taht was signed by Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, Jackson Browne and Ry Cooder at the Cuba, Haiti and Gulf Coast Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert in Santa Monica late last year. Proceeds from the raffle will go to continue help in efforts to support community based organizations that assist victims of the disaster. Second Prize is 2 premium tickets to a choice of a Jackson Browne show on this summer’s tour. To buy tickets in the raffle, click here.

Steve Earle To Rock Concert For Tibet

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Veteran rocker Steve Earle is to headline a concert to benefit Tibet House.

The Grammy-winning singer will join stars such as Angélique Kidjo, Keb Mo, Patti Smith and Monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in a concert to raise money for Tibet House, a facility that aims to promote and preserve Tibetan culture by serving as both a cultural center in New York City and an online global resource for those interested in Tibetan civilization.

Tibet House US is dedicated to preserving Tibet’s unique culture at a time when it is confronted with extinction on its own soil. By presenting Tibetan civilization and its profound wisdom, beauty, and special art of freedom to the people of the world, they hope to inspire others to join the effort to protect and save it.

Steve Earle To Play Charity Concerts

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Steve Earle is to feature at the annual Christmas Jam to raise money for Habitat For Humanity.

The Grammy award-winning singer will join stars such as Travis Tritt and Joan Osborne over two nights at the Asheville Civic Center Arena, December 12 & 13.

“Christmas Jam started 20 years ago as an opportunity for local musicians to jam at the one time of year they were all in town at the same time,” said concert organizer, Warren Haynes. “Back then, we gave the money to whatever charity we felt like. As the event grew and we became aware of Habitat For Humanity, we settled on them because we believe in the organization and know the money goes where its supposed to.”