Look To The Stars News: Bonnie Raitt

Paul McCartney Honored As MusiCares Person Of The Year

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Beatles legend Paul McCartney was honored as the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year at a special event in Los Angeles on Friday, celebrating his exceptional artistic achievements as well as his philanthropic work.

The sold-out tribute to McCartney benefits MusiCares’ emergency financial assistance and addiction recovery programs. Proceeds from the annual Person of the Year tribute — now in its 22nd year — provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that members of the music community have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Hosted by Eddie Izzard, performers included Cirque du Soleil, Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Duane Eddy, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, James Taylor, Diana Krall, Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Sergio Mendes and Katy Perry. The evening also featured a special performance by 14-time GRAMMY winning artist and 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year Paul McCartney.

Stars To Come Out For Paul McCartney At Charity Gala

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:30:00 +0000

An impressive star-studded cast will come together to honor 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Paul McCartney during a sold-out gala on Feb. 10 in Los Angeles, two days prior to the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Hosted by actor/comedian Eddie Izzard, artists set to perform are current GRAMMY nominees Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, and Katy Perry; GRAMMY-winning artists Duane Eddy, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Diana Krall, James Taylor, and Neil Young with Crazy Horse; two-time Latin GRAMMY-winning artist Sergio Mendes; and the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s “Love” Beatles tribute show. The evening will also feature a special performance by McCartney.

The 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year gala, which will celebrate McCartney’s exceptional artistic achievements and philanthropic work, will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction sponsored by the Starkey Hearing Foundation that will offer an exclusive selection of luxury items, VIP experiences and celebrity memorabilia for bidding guests. The auction will be followed by a gala dinner sponsored by AEG Live, and a star-studded tribute concert sponsored by Acura/ELS. This year’s red-carpet press arrivals will be sponsored by Kinect for Xbox 360 and Dance Central 2. Other event supporters include CenterStaging — A SoundCheck LA Company, Classic Wines of California, Delta Airlines, Double Platinum, Gibson, Global Art, Heineken, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Jackson Limo, Korbel, Patron Spirits Company, Pepsi, and Sweetwater.

Paul McCartney To Perform At MusiCares Person Of The Year Event

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Legendary singer/songwriter, 14-time Grammy winner and 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Paul McCartney is set to perform at the sold-out star-studded tribute concert, taking place in Los Angeles during Grammy Week on Feb. 10.

The MusiCares Person of the Year tribute is one of the most prestigious events held during GRAMMY Week. Proceeds from the dinner and concert will provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Stars Mark Second Anniversary Of Earthquake In Haiti

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:55:00 +0000

Today, on the second anniversary of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Paurt-Au-Prince, killing 230,000 and injuring millions more, over 40 high profile personalities are using their Twitter and Facebook accounts to rekindle the world’s interest in helping Haiti.

Celebrities leveraging their social influence to raise awareness for “HAITI: Aid Still Required” include Maroon 5, Sting, Alicia Keys, Lady Antebellum, Hugh Jackman, Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw, Martha Stewart, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Don Cheadle, Deepak Chopra and NBA stars Paul Pierce, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, reaching a total of 125 million social media followers.

No Nukes Celebrity Charity Concert Returns After 32 Years

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:00:00 +0000

On Sunday August 7, an all-star line-up performed a benefit concert for Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA. Among the artists to take part were Crosby, Stills and Nash, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Jason Mraz, The Doobie Brothers, Tom Morello, John Hall, Kitaro, Jonathan Wilson, Sweet Honey in the Rock and many more.

Proceeds from the concert will be distributed to Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) to support Japan disaster relief efforts, and organizations worldwide working to promote safe, alternative, non-nuclear energy.

The concert follows a massive series of No Nukes shows performed at Madison Square Garden back in 1979, which were organized by Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Graham Nash and John Hall after the Three Mile Island nuclear accident.

Shay Mitchell Joins Fight Against Sex Trafficking

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Pretty Little Liars actress Shay Mitchell recently joined the fight against sex trafficking.

She visited Cambodia in February with the Somaly Mam Foundation to help promote the cause and spent three weeks traveling the country, meeting some of the young girls that the foundation has helped.

Annie Lennox To Be Honored With Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

NARM, the music business association, has announced that it will honor Grammy and Oscar-winning artist, activist and campaigner, Annie Lennox, with its Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award in recognition of her outstanding work on behalf of HIV/AIDS awareness and other health, human rights and environmental causes.

The presentation will take place at the 2011 NARM Convention Awards Dinner Finale at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 12.

Celebrity Charity Initiative: Aid Still Required In Haiti

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000

What do Maroon 5, Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce and Spike Lee have in common? They’re three of dozens of celebrities who are concerned about the situation in Haiti and are doing something about it.

This month celebrities around the world are joining forces to launch the “Haiti: Aid Still Required” campaign to raise public awareness and fund the next wave of support for the Haitian people.

“It’s impossible to hear what’s happening in Haiti and not want to help,” says NBA star Blake Griffin. “For a full year they’ve lived through the worst nightmare.”

Top Stars Donate Songs For Tsunami Relief Album

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

The tsunami? Wasn’t that fixed years ago? Not so, says Los Angeles-based non-profit Aid Still Required (ASR), citing tens of thousands who are still looking to restore their lives in Southeast Asia following the disaster.

With an endorsement from former President Clinton’s United Nations Office for Tsunami Recovery, ASR has enlisted the help of many of the World’s favorite musicians to champion this forgotten issue, including Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, James Taylor, Sarah McLachlan, Maroon 5, John Lennon (estate), Avril Lavigne, Shawn Colvin, Phantom Planet, Ani DiFranco, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Ray Charles (estate), Hunter Payne and The Blind Boys of Alabama.

“We’ve all seen it,” says Bonnie Raitt. “Money pours in when a disaster first occurs. But then the World’s attention turns to other matters and the real work of rebuilding goes underfunded. I’m involved with this project because it will help thousands restore their lives in a sustainable manner.”

Willie Nelson Challenges Fans To Go Green

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Willie Nelson is challenging you to make an eco-friendly change in your life – and offering cool prizes if you do.

The country star wants you to take a photo of yourself using an alternative form of transport – one that has less of an effect on the environment. Simply by sending your photo to the Green Music Group, you can win $500 to spend at the Hard Rock Cafe. Every two weeks a GMG artist will make a challenge, and at the end of the competition – in August – one lucky entry will win a Honda Hybrid LX.

Willie is one of the founding members of the Green Music Group, along with Sheryl Crow, the Dave Matthews Band, The Roots, Linkin Park, Bonnie Raitt, Maroon 5, Barenaked Ladies and Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records. GMG is a large-scale, high-profile environmental coalition of musicians, industry leaders and music fans using their collective power to bring about widespread environmental change within the music industry and around the globe.

Dave Stewart Donates Suit To Charity Auction

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Musician Dave Stewart has donated the suit he wore when he accepted the Awards for Outstanding Contribution to British Music for Eurythmics (Silver Clefs Award by the Nordoff Robbins Foundation) in 2000 to the world’s leading Eurythmics fan site for a charity competition.

Ethrill.net has been collecting rare items like lithographs and deluxe books, limited vinyl and much more from fans of the band to give away as part of the anniversary of Annie Lennox’s SING Campaign to help prevent the spread of HIV in South Africa, where 1,000 people die from AIDS-related causes every day. Since 2007, SING has raised over $2 million, and helped over 100,000 people affected by HIV in the Eastern Cape of South Africa – but there is much more work to be done.

All you have to do to win is make a donation to the SING Campaign through the Ethrill.net website before December 24.

Wynonna To Headline Charity Soundcheck

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Wynonna is set to perform at a special concert for the GRAMMY Foundation in Texas on December 4.

Prior to her concert at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas, forty high school students and Texas Chapter Board members will have the unique opportunity to watch Judd soundcheck before her concert. Afterward, Judd will come down from the stage for an intimate question-and-answer session with students to talk about her career in music. Additionally, students and Board members will receive a discounted ticket price for that evening’s concert.

Throughout the year, the GRAMMY Foundation presents GRAMMY SoundChecks with a wide range of artists on tour in cities across the country. GRAMMY SoundChecks provide young people with a glimpse into the realities of music careers by inviting them to attend rehearsals and concert sound checks of major artists. GRAMMY SoundChecks have featured a host of artists, including Babyface, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Coldplay, the Dave Matthews Band, Destiny’s Child, Macy Gray, Billy Joel, Jack Johnson, Juanes, John Mayer, No Doubt, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, U2 and Kanye West.

Annual Women's Conference To Attract Big Names

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Maria Shriver will once again host the annual Women’s Conference in October, and tickets go on sale on July 13.

The first Women’s Conference – formerly known as the California Governor and First Lady’s Conference on Women – was held over twenty years ago, but it has been under the leadership of First Lady Shriver and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that the event has become the premier event in empowering and inspiring women.

“I am honored to again be hosting what has become the nation’s premier forum for women, where the world’s greatest hearts and minds convene every year to empower women to find a common purpose, be united by a shared conversation, and see themselves as a collective WE,” said Shriver. “This year, I am urging women to take time to explore their deepest hopes and aspirations, and I hope they leave the conference with a better sense of just who they want to be — and the knowledge of how to get there.”

Celebrity Charity Auction Raises Funds For Museum

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:00:00 +0000

A new charity auction is giving you the chance to bid on once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and items to raise money for a state-of-the-art museum in New York City designed to highlight the achievements of songwriting greats and acknowledge their rightful place in culture.

Going under the hammer are opportunities to have lunch with Smashing Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan, backstage meet-and-greets with Cher, Jason Mraz, Wynonna, Chris Daughtry, Clint Black and Bonnie Raitt, as well as guitars signed by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Peter Wentz, handwritten lyrics signed by Paul Simon, Rob Thomas and Carley Simon, and other items signed by Elvis Costello, Julianne Hough, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, John Mayer, and much more.

The new museum facility will serve as a resource and center of study for scholars, aspiring songwriters, students and music lovers young and old to learn about America’s musical heritage.

Annie Lennox To Play Unplugged In South Africa

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Annie Lennox will play a special unplugged concert in South Africa next month for charity.

The singer will perform at the Teatro theatre in Montecasino on July 8 to raise funds and awareness for her SING Foundation.

“Audiences will see the star up close and personal, accompanied by nothing other than her piano and her stories,” said Penny Stein, spokeswoman for the event.

Annie Lennox SINGS In Norway

Tue, 19 May 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Singer Annie Lennox was in Norway last week to host a special event that aimed to raise money and awareness for the SING Campaign against AIDS.

The singer performed in Oslo on May 15 at an event in which guests were required to make a minimum donation of NOK 1,000 to the SING Campaign in order to redeem an invite.

SING was launched to raise money for the Treatment Action Campaign through the sales of an all-star single that featured the voices of Madonna, Céline Dion, Dido, Faith Hill, Joss Stone, Pink, Melissa Etheridge, Fergie, Bonnie Raitt, KT Tunstall, Shakira, Beth Orton, Sarah McLachlan, Anastacia, the Sugababes, KD Lang, Martha Wainwright, Angélique Kidjo, Beverley Knight, Shingai Shoniwa, Gladys Knight, and Isobel Campbell.

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.

Annie Lennox Raises Awareness Of SING Campaign

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Singer Annie Lennox has just released her new Greatest Hits collection in the US and has used the occasion to raise awareness of a new campaign being run by SING, an initiative she established to bring attention to AIDS/HIV in Africa.

Over the next few weeks and months, SING will be telling the stories of four women in Africa who are currently living their lives and raising their families whilst dealing with the effects of HIV/AIDS.

After personally witnessing Nelson Mandela describe the African HIV pandemic as a genocide, with women and children becoming the frontline victims, Annie Lennox set out to try and do something about it.

Stars Sing Praises For Annie Lennox

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:00:00 +0000

December 1 marked the first anniversary of Annie Lennox’s SING Campaign, and some of the stars involved have paid tribute to her work.

“Congratulations for all the hard work that Sing has done in the last year, good luck and much love for the next year to come,” said Anastacia. "Happy First birthday Sing! "

“Congratulations on all the success of the foundation,” added Gladys Knight. “We all must do our part to make a difference. Thank you so much for stepping up to the plate.”

It's Business Time For The Flight Of The Conchords

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Grammy award-winning comedy duo Flight of the Conchords are part of a huge new auction being run to raise cash for charity.

The Conchords shot to fame in 2007 when their quirky television series debuted on HBO and immediately received ratings and critical acclaim. Originally from New Zealand, the duo uses a mix of music and comedy to make witty and deadpan observations on society. Their new series starts next month.

Now – as part of the annual Grammy Charities Auction – you have the chance to bid on an acoustic guitar, DVD and CD signed by “New Zealand’s fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo.”

Annie Lennox Sings For World AIDS Day

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Today, December 1, is World AIDS Day – and also the first anniversary of Annie Lennox’s SING Campaign, and the star has launched a host of new additions to the SING website to celebrate.

Among the additions are a new Timeline that plots the progress of the campaign since its launch, and an Advent calendar which will unlock a new window every day through December that features either SING video’s, SING Image’s or a special video message from Lennox. There is also a new Widget that can be downloaded for Facebook, Bebo, MySpace and other sites, as well as a special SING Campaign YouTube site. Lennox is also writing a column in today’s issue of Britain’s The Sun newspaper about her work with SING.

Jackson Browne And Friends: A Benefit For Hurricane Relief

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Jackson Browne is getting together some of his best musical friends for a benefit concert this weekend.

Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder, and Joan Baez will band together to raise money for Operation USA on Saturday, November 29, to support the organization’s ongoing disaster relief efforts in the U.S. Gulf Coast, Cuba and Haiti, with specific focus on programs addressing the urgent local needs of displaced families and health facilities stretched to breaking point.

Jackson Browne is no stranger to benefit concerts – his No Nukes concerts in 1979 with Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen and a host of the era’s biggest stars were one of the earliest examples of large-scale, organized rock concerts for a cause. Last year he joined with Raitt and Graham Nash to record a version of Buffalo Springfield’s For What It’s Worth to raise awareness of the dangers of nuclear power.

Annie Lennox Sings Praises For Charity Work

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:30:00 +0000

Annie Lennox has written an update about her SING campaign, an initiative she launched last year to raise money for AIDS treatment projects.

“December 1st will be World Aids day, and will also be the 1st anniversary of the launch of SING,” she wrote in her latest blog. “I think it’s essential that anyone who supports the campaign gets a clearly outlined list of everything we’ve done so far, so that you can get a better understanding of our accomplishments.”

The campaign was launched to raise money for the Treatment Action Campaign through the sales of an all-star single that featured the voices of Madonna, Céline Dion, Dido, Faith Hill, Joss Stone, Pink, Melissa Etheridge, Fergie, Bonnie Raitt, KT Tunstall, Shakira, Beth Orton, Sarah McLachlan, Anastacia, the Sugababes, KD Lang, Martha Wainwright, Angélique Kidjo, Beverley Knight, Shingai Shoniwa, Gladys Knight, and Isobel Campbell.

Jennifer Lopez Announces New Foundation Plans At Women's Conference

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:00:00 +0000

This year’s annual Women’s Conference, hosted by Maria Shriver, drew record crowds in Long Beach this week.

The conference – which aims to empower and motivate women to pursue a lifelong journey of self discovery – kicked off with a “once in a lifetime conversation” between Govenor Arnold Schwarzenegger and billionaire Warren Buffett, and went on to feature passionate speeches from Jennifer Lopez, Sally Field, Bono (see video here), Bonnie Raitt, Condoleezza Rice, Heidi Klum, Tony Blair’s wife Cherie, and many more.

“I stand before you as someone who loves being a woman,” said Lopez. "I love that when life hands us our greatest challenges, we look up and realize that capacity. I love the fellowship we’re sharing here today…

Celebrities Attend An Evening Of New Dreams

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:30:00 +0000

The stars were out – clear and bright – on September 16 for An Evening of New Dreams, raising money for the Somaly Mam Foundation.

Susan Sarandon, Daryl Hannah, Petra Nemcova, Jane Seymour, Ashlee Simpson, Kevin Connolly, Kim Kardashian, Kevin Dillon, Seal, Emily Deschanel, Peter Wentz, and Ron Livingston were some of the stars who came together in Beverly Hills for the gala event which featured musical entertainment from Bonnie Raitt. Catered by Tommy Tang and held at the private residence of Foundation supporters Jeff and Mei Sze Greene, the evening raised awareness of global sex trafficking.

The Somaly Mam Foundation is dedicated to combating the global sex slave trade through the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of victims and through raising global awareness on the issue by funding organizations in various parts of the world that are combating sexual slavery in the field. Named after a survivor of the abhorrent problem, the foundation rescues girls from brothels and offers them shelter and safety, basic education, and reintegration into new communities.