Look To The Stars News: James Denton

Desperate Housewives Join The Muppets For Charity Initiative

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Disney Parks is launching a program that celebrates the spirit of volunteer service with a simple proposition: “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.” And they’ve enlisted Teri Hatcher and James Denton and some madcap Muppets to help.

Disney hopes to inspire families to volunteer in their communities during 2010 through this first-of-its-kind program. One million people who perform volunteer service for a participating organization will receive a free one-day admission ticket to a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park.

“As you can see there’s lots of volunteers here and they’re excited about it, too,” said Hatcher in a PSA with Denton and The Muppets. “I’m a big believer in volunteering, and honestly the feeling that you get when you volunteer and give back is everything — and you wouldn’t even need the Disney day, but that’s the icing on the cake.”

The initiative will kick off on January 1, 2010.

“In 2010, we want to recognize and add one more reason for celebration: the contributions people make to their communities every day,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We want to inspire 1 million volunteers – people who will invest time and energy to make their own communities and neighborhoods a better place.”

To enable people to sign up for an eligible volunteer project, Disney is working with HandsOn Network, the nation’s largest volunteer network. Part of Points of Light Institute, HandsOn Network has 250 on-the-ground volunteer action centers across the country and connects volunteers to more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies that need their help.

“Wherever we live, our communities need our hands-on help to thrive,” said Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light Institute. “We are thrilled at this unprecedented effort by Disney Parks to help mobilize 1 million volunteers into action. ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ has the potential to reach so many families and instill the volunteer spirit in a new generation.”

Bob Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, said, “‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ fits perfectly with our long history of supporting and participating in volunteer efforts. It’s a great way to honor guests who are making a positive contribution to their communities.”

To find out more and watch the PSA, click here.

James Denton Races For The Cure

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Catrina K. Sally

Desperate Housewives star James Denton will be serving as the honorary co-chairman of the fourth annual Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southwest Florida 5K Run/Walk. The fundraising event will take place March 13, 2010 at the Coconut Point in Estero.

The 2009 walk raised $914,000 and boasted more than 8,100 participants. The goal for 2010 is to match the success of 2009. Confirmed sponsors include: Coconut Point, Naples Community Hospital, Lee Memorial Health System Foundation, Stephen J. Laquis MD, FACS, the News-Press, Pearle Vision, Anchor Health Centers, Hope Health Care and Drs. Jeannie Moran and Denise Gay.

Komen for the Cure is the world’s leading network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives. The Komen promise is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all, and energizing science to find the cure. A world without breast cancer is the organization’s ultimate goal.

For more information about the race please click here.

Band From TV To Launch New Epilepsy Site At Charity Gig

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Band From TV – the celebrity charity music group made up of stars from some of today’s most popular TV shows – is to play a special gig next month to launch a charity website set up by its founding member.

Talk About It was created by Heroes star Greg Grunberg to raise awareness of epilepsy and help educate people the world and end stigmas about seizure disorders. The site features many of his Heroes co-stars and celebrity friends, such as Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine, and John Mayer. Grunberg is a longtime supporter of epilepsy causes, an issue that he has been involved with since his son, Jake, was diagnosed with the condition. He is the official spokesperson for the Epilepsy Foundation and Epilepsy Advocate.

Grunberg started the Band From TV – which includes members such as Hugh Laurie, Teri Hatcher, Bonnie Somerville, Hayden Panettiere, Adrian Pasdar, James Denton, Jesse Spencer, and Bob Guiney – after getting a few celebrities to play together at the House Of Blues for charity. The success of that event has led to a number of gigs in the US which have, according to Hugh Laurie, “raised a gargantuan sum of money for charity.” These charities include such as Save the Children, The Art of Elysium, the Child Abuse Prevention Program and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence through the Band From TV Global Charity Trust. Band From TV recently released their first CD, Hoggin’ All The Covers, which has become a huge hit at Amazon.com and can be ordered here. Look To The Stars was lucky enough to interview Greg just before Christmas, and the video of our chat can be viewed here.

To celebrate the launch of Talk About It, Band From TV – along with special celebrity guests including Scott Grimes from ER and many others – are performing one night only on October 25 at The Canyon Club in Agoura. Come with your family and friends and be ready to rock out to your favorite cover tunes being performed by some of your favorite TV actors.

THIS SHOW WILL SELL OUT!! Tickets may be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster or by calling The Canyon Club Box Office at (818) 879-5016.

Sharon Stone Helps Foster Kids Get Dental Care

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:26:00 -0000

Homeless Not Toothless, the non-profit organization founded by Brentwood dentist Dr. Jay Grossman, will honor actress Sharon Stone, writer/ producer Antwone Fisher and USC School of Dentistry’s Mobile Unit Founder Dr. Charles Goldstein for their continuous support, philanthropic work and inspiration on Thursday, September 10th, at the Shangri-La Hotel in Santa Monica.

Hollywood’s favorite stars including Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy and James Denton, as well as authorities in the Dental and Medical community will come together for an evening of philanthropy, music and entertainment. With music provided by Trevor Hall and Shawn King, much-needed funds will be raised for the El Monte Free Dental Clinic, which will provide almost 30,000 Los Angeles foster children with the required dental work to enter and stay in the school system.

“We have the responsibility to take care of children,” Dr. Grossman explains. “These children who have been pulled out of their families and have no parents to rely on have it hard enough. The last thing they need is not to have access to dental care, and we can provide that for them.”

Sharon Stone has been a supporter of Dr. Grossman and board member for Homeless Not Toothless for several years. Writer and producer Antwone Fisher, who was a foster child himself and has become an inspiration and role model to many, is a proud supporter of Homeless Not Toothless. He explains, “This is an opportunity to help foster children get the services they need. Homeless Not Toothless will make a difference in those children’s lives.” Tickets are still available by e-mailing gala@homelessnottoothless.org.

Homeless Not Toothless is a 501 © (3) made up of dentists who donate their time to help foster children get the dental care they need. The dentists seek to work with labs which will donate necessary resources, but cover the laboratory expenses themselves when needed. For more information, visit HomelessNotToothless.org.

Stars Sign Balls For Little League

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fans will soon be able to catch a series of baseballs signed by their favorite stars for charity.

On Friday, August 21, Little League Baseball will launch a very special online auction featuring over 40 balls signed by stars such as Zac Efron, Drew Barrymore, Billy Crystal, James Earl Jones, Charlie Sheen, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Larry King, the Kardashian family (Kim, Khloe & Kourtney), James Denton and Milo Ventimiglia. Additional balls have been signed by athletes including Michael Phelps, Jeff Gordon, Michael Strahan, Ryan Howard, Barry Sanders, Dave Winfield, Blake Griffin, Albert Pujols and others.

The auction will kick off on Friday on eBay.com, and fans will be able to access it by searching for “Baseball Design Across America.” The auction will last 10 days (concludes Aug. 30) and all the proceeds benefit Little League. Little League Baseball involves more than 2.8 million children and 1 million volunteers, and over 30 million people have played in Little League programs.

The Little League World Series begins Aug. 21 in Williamsport, PA. The celebrity signed baseballs will be on display at the games as a part of SUBWAY’s Baseball Design Across America tour. More info here

Stars To Attend Change The World Awards This Weekend

Fri, 29 May 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Hollywood Note Foundation will hold its annual Change The World Awards this Sunday, May 31.

The award ceremony – hosted by Scott Baio and his wife Rene – will attract a large number of stars who will be recognized for their personal efforts to make the world a better place. Recipients will include Band From TV – featuring Greg Grunberg, Bob Guiney, Bonnie Somerville, Hugh Laurie, James Denton, Jesse Spencer and Teri Hatcher – who will recieve the Humanitarian Award of Inspiration. Also being honored are Ed Begley Jr., who will be presented with the Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award, Bart Simpson’s voice Nancy Cartwright – who will receive the Change The World Public Service Award – and many others, including Aimee Teegarden, Kevin Sorbo, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Sumpter, and Michael Bernard Beckwith.

Beneficiaries of the event will include Stand Up To Cancer, Happy House, Save The Ta-Tas, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children), Coalition for Clean Air, the Ready or Not Foundation, and the Agape Foundation.

The ceremony – which will be held at the Beverly Hills Hotel – will feature performances by Rachael Lampa, Daniel Nahmod and Kute Blackson.

Find out more at the official Change The World Awards website.

Band From TV To Play Concert For Charity In Miami

Thu, 14 May 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The All-Star Band From TV is to play a special Concert For Charity event in Miami on Saturday, May 16.

The band – made up of television stars such as Greg Grunberg, Bob Guiney, Bonnie Somerville, Hugh Laurie, James Denton, Jesse Spencer and Teri Hatcher – recently scored the number 1 slot on Amazon with their CD/DVD package, Hoggin’ All the Covers. Proceeds from every show the band plays goes to charities such as Save the Children, The Art of Elysium, the Child Abuse Prevention Program and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – through the Band From TV Global Charity Trust.

The Concert For Charity will take place at the Shore Club Hotel in Miami Beach and will also feature a special appearance by Melora Hardin, who spoke to Look To The Stars about charity last year.

General admission tickets to the event cost $50. $175 VIP admission includes a pre-party with the band and a preferred viewing area. The event is for ages 21 and over. Click here for tickets.

To watch a video of the Band From TV at the recent Heroes For Autism event, click here.

Attend The Change The World Awards For A Special Price

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Hollywood Note Foundation is to hold its annual star-studded Change The World Awards on May 31, and now Look To The Stars readers can purchase tickets for a reduced price.

The award ceremony – hosted by Scott Baio and his wife Rene – will attract a large number of stars who will be recognized for their personal efforts to make the world a better place. Recipients will include Band From TV – featuring Greg Grunberg, Bob Guiney, Bonnie Somerville, Hugh Laurie, James Denton, Jesse Spencer and Teri Hatcher – who will recieve the Humanitarian Award of Inspiration. Also being honored are Ed Begley Jr., who will be presented with the Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award, Bart Simpson’s voice Nancy Cartwright – who will receive the Change The World Public Service Award – and many others, including Aimee Teegarden, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Sumpter, and Michael Bernard Beckwith.

The ceremony – which will be held at the Beverly Hills Hotel – will feature performances by Rachael Lampa, Daniel Nahmod and Kute Blackson.

Individual tickets usually cost $500, but as a special offer, Look To The Stars can now offer you tickets for $350. To purchase the tickets, go to the Change The World website and enter the online registration code NOTE 0531 when you make your purchase.

Heroes Come To The Rescue For Autism

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fans of NBC’s Heroes will be excited to learn about an event to take place in April featuring the cast from the hit show, live music from Band From TV, and a silent auction – all to benefit children with autism.

Heroes For Autism will take place on April 19 at the Avalon Hollywood, and will kick off with a VIP cocktail reception and silent auction featuring art work designed and created by the cast and crew of Heroes. Guests will then enjoy a concert performance by the ‘Band From TV’ – featuring Greg Grunberg, Adrian Pasdar, James Denton, Jesse Spencer, and Bob Guiney – and a special performance by the show’s music composers Wendy & Lisa. Wendy & Lisa will perform their music from the series, as well as music from their newly-released CD, ‘White Flags of Winter Chimneys.’

General admission to the event is $70, although $200 will buy you a VIP ticket that includes entry to the cocktail reception and early bids on auction items. All proceeds from the evening will go to Autism Speaks, an organization that funds global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism. Autism Speaks also raises public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society, and brings hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.

There will be over 80 pieces of art from 22 artists up for auction – including works from Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia – featuring a range of mediums, including photography, painting, drawing, and animation. The auction will continue until 8:30 p.m. and at 9:30 p.m. the winners will be announced.

For tickets or to learn more about the event, visit the Heroes For Autism website.

Chat With Greg Grunberg For The Epilepsy Foundation

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Heroes’ Greg Grunberg is to auction a one-on-one video chat to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation.

The auction, which can be accessed at humanety.com, opens this Thrusday, March 26, and runs until April 5. The prize is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a personal 30-minute video conversation with Grunberg at a later date.

Grunberg is a longtime supporter of epilepsy causes, an issue that he has been involved with since his son, Jake, was diagnosed with the condition. He is the official spokesperson for the Epilepsy Foundation and EpilepsyAdvocate.com, and recently created TalkAboutIt.org, a website that helps remove stigmas about epilepsy and provides a forum for information about the affliction. He also founded Band From TV – with fellow actors Hugh Laurie, James Denton, Adrian Pasdar, Jesse Spencer and Bob Guiney – to raise money for different charities.

“When I heard about Humanety, I jumped at the chance to raise money and awareness about a cause I feel so passionately about. I love talking with my fans, and nothing is off limits: Heroes, Alias, Felicity, Yowza!!, my best friend JJ and his new Star Trek movie and, of course, epilepsy. Let’s talk about it,” said Grunberg.

“Humanety is a new way to help support and promote a wide variety of vital charities,” said Michael Campbell, CEO of Humanety. “By conducting these meetings over the Internet, we are able to connect celebrities to their fans anywhere around the world. We are honored to work with Greg to help him promote the cause of the Epilepsy Foundation and hopefully raise significant donations in the process.”

The Epilepsy Foundation of America is the national voluntary agency solely dedicated to the welfare of the more than 3 million people with epilepsy in the U.S. and their families. The organization works to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; to improve how people with epilepsy are perceived, accepted and valued in society; and to promote research for a cure.

Grunberg is also due take part in the National Walk For Epilepsy in Washington DC next week. The Walk is a fundraising event that will cover a route of 2 miles. The goal of the Walk is to raise more than $1.5 million for epilepsy services, education, advocacy and research. The event is designed to bring the epilepsy community together to demonstrate camaraderie, strength and success.

Hugh Laurie To Be Honored For Charity Work

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

House star Hugh Laurie will be honored with a special humanitarian award by the Venice Family Clinic later tonight, February 23.

Along with House creator David Shore, Laurie will be honored for his charity work. Also being honored at the event is the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Founded in 1983, Silver Circle is Venice Family Clinic’s premier giving group, raising more than one million dollars annually to provide free, quality health care to people in need. The Venice Family Clinic, the nation’s largest free clinic, provides free, quality health care to people in need. Last year, with the support of Silver Circle donors and more than 1,500 volunteers—including nearly 500 physicians—the Clinic served over 23,500 children and adults in approximately 100,000 primary care, specialty care, mental health and dental visits. Silver Circle is Venice Family Clinic’s premier annual support group, raising approximately $1,000,000 per year.

Laurie was busy with his charity pursuits over the weekend: on Sunday he performed with the Band From TV at the West Coast Premiere of NASCAR, the Auto Club 500. The band – made up of television stars such as Greg Grunberg, Bob Guiney, Bonnie Somerville, James Denton, Jesse Spencer and Teri Hatcher – recently scored the number 1 slot on Amazon with their CD/DVD package, Hoggin’ All the Covers. Proceeds from every show the band plays goes to charities such as Save the Children, The Art of Elysium, the Child Abuse Prevention Program and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – through the Band From TV Global Charity Trust.

The Venice Family Clinic event will be held at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. More info can be found here.

Band From TV To Receive Special Charity Award

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Band From TV – the star-studded band made up of celebrities from shows such as Desperate Housewives and Heroes – is to receive a special accolade at the Hollywood Note Foundation's annual Change The World Awards in May.

The awards will celebrate Hollywood for its impact on philanthropy, and will recognize celebrity individuals for their personal efforts to make the world a better place.

Band From TV – which features stars such as Greg Grunberg, Bob Guiney, Bonnie Somerville, Hugh Laurie, James Denton, Jesse Spencer and Teri Hatcher – raises money through gigs and album sales for a range of charities such as Save the Children, The Art of Elysium, the Child Abuse Prevention Program and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence through the Band From TV Global Charity Trust. They have been spotlighted by the Hollywood Note Foundation to receive the Humanitarian Award of Inspiration at the award ceremony.

Also to receive awards at the event will be Ed Begley Jr., who will be presented with the Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award, Bart Simpson’s voice Nancy Cartwright – who will receive the Change The World Public Service Award – and many others, including Aimee Teegarden, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Sumpter, and Michael Bernard Beckwith.

The ceremony – which will be held at the Beverly Hills Hotel – will feature performances by Rachael Lampa, Daniel Nahmod and Kute Blackson.

More information can be found at the Change The World Awards website. To read an exclusive report about the Change The World Awards Announcement event by Look To The Stars Celebrity Ambassador Rachel Zeskind, click here.

Band From TV To Rock NASCAR

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fans of Heroes and Desperate Housewives will want to get to the West Coast Premiere of NASCAR, the Auto Club 500 on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 11am PDT for a special performance by Band From TV.

“We are so excited to feature Band From TV at our Opportunity, California FanZone Stage,” said Auto Club Speedway president Gillian Zucker. “Not only will Southern Californians experience the thrill of a live NASCAR race, but also a full weekend of live entertainment including a musical performance from Hollywood celebrities- an experience you can only get here at Auto Club Speedway!”

More information about the event can be found here.

Win An Autographed Band From TV CD/DVD

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fans of great music and television’s hottest stars should aim to stay home in front of the TV this Friday, as Band From TV make an appearance on Jay Leno's Tonight Show. And Look To The Stars is giving you the chance to win an autographed copy of the group’s brand new CD/DVD, Hoggin All The Covers.

The all-star cover band donates all of its proceeds to charities – including Save the Children, The Art of Elysium, the Child Abuse Prevention Program and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – through the Band From TV Global Charity Trust.

House star Hugh Laurie – who plays keyboards in the band – will take on vocal duties during their performance on The Tonight Show this Friday, January 16.

Greg Grunberg of Heroes fame will also be on the show. Grunberg started the band after being getting a few celebrities to play together at the House Of Blues for charity. The success of that event has led to a number of gigs in the US which have, according to Hugh Laurie, “raised a gargantuan sum of money for charity.”

Grunberg’s excitement about the project is clear in our recent exclusive interview with him.

“My oldest son has epilepsy,” said Grunberg. "And I saw this band as a wonderful vehicle to help raise money for the Pediatric Epilepsy Project. Having band mates who also happen to be in some of the most popular shows on television creates an amazing opportunity to really reach out to our fans to help support these wonderful causes."

Hoggin’ All The Covers

The Hoggin’ All The Covers DVD/CD set features 13 tracks – including “Piece of My Heart,” “Mustang Sally” and “The Letter” – recorded at a gig in LA, and the DVD includes footage of rehearsals, exclusive interviews and information on the charities that will benefit from sales. It is currently available on Amazon.com and Amazon.de, and will soon be available on Amazon.co.uk.

Even better, we have a signed copy to give away in a free prize draw.

How to enter

To enter our draw, just guess what song Hugh is going to sing on the show. We’ve included a hint below in case you’re not feeling lucky today!

Drop us a line at contests@looktothestars.org before the show airs on NBC on Friday at 11:35pm telling us your name, address, and the answer to the question. All correct answers will go into the random draw.

Hint: the song was originally recorded by Billy Preston for his 1973 album, Music Is My Life_. It then spent a week at #1 on the Billboard Charts during July of that year. Still too hard? It’s also Track 3 on the Hoggin’ All The Covers CDcode=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B001IDZGCU.

Featured Videos: Jesse Spencer and James Denton

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Look To The Stars’ reporter Michelle Vink asked Jesse Spencer from House and Desperate Housewives’s James Denton about why they donate their time to play in the Band From TV. Watch the exclusive videos!

Featured Video: Look To The Stars and Band From TV Talk About Giving

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

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Our reporter Michelle Vink caught up with the all-star Band From TV, Jon Lovitz, Kristin Cavallari and others at a recent tree lighting ceremony at the Grove in Los Angeles.

To see what the stars had to say about the causes they support, and to hear a little great music, check out the exclusive video!

The Band From TV To Light Up Christmas Tree

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Band From TV will be appearing at the annual “Hollywood Christmas Tree Lighting at The Grove,” on Sunday, November 23.

The charity band made up of television stars – including Hugh Laurie, Greg Grunberg, Teri Hatcher, James Denton, Bob Guiney – recently released their first CD/DVD, Hoggin All The Covers. The band was started in 2006 to provide funding for several worthwhile charities – Save the Children, The Art of Elysium, the Child Abuse Prevention Program and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – and to raise money through music to help those in need.

Grunberg had the idea to establish the band after being asked to get a few celebrities to play together at the House Of Blues for charity. The event sparked a great amount of interest, and has led to a number of gigs in the US which have, according to Hugh Laurie, “raised a gargantuan sum of money for charity.”

Sunday’s show, hosted by Jon Lovitz, will also feature performances by Grammy Award-winner Natalie Cole, the HB Barnum New Life Choir, and Straight No Chaser, a talented A Capella group best known for their rendition of “12 Days of Christmas.”

The show starts at 7:30pm, and will be held at The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. More information can be found at www.thegrovela.com.

Band From TV Gets Help From JetExpress

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Band From TV has announced an exciting new alliance with ExpressJet.

The group has named the carrier as their official transport provider, which means the company will fly the band to concert events across America free-of-charge.

“We are incredibly grateful to ExpressJet for providing transportation for our band all throughout America,” said Greg Grunberg, who started the band to raise money through music to help those in need. “All of the money saved from ExpressJet providing this service goes straight to the charities and we are beyond thankful.”

Band From TV is a 9 piece musical ensemble that features the talents of Desperate Housewives’ James Denton on guitar, House’s Hugh Laurie on keyboards, and Desperate Housewives’ Teri Hatcher on vocals. The full length album follows earlier releases on the House soundtrack and the top-selling version of Minnie The Moocher on iTunes. They release their first CD and DVD – Hoggin’ All The Covers – next week.

“We are proud to associate our expertise in aviation with the talented actors and musicians of Band From TV,” said ExpressJet’s Sr. Manager of Marketing, John Yeng. “We couldn’t be happier to do our part in raising money for the very worthy charities that each celebrity has chosen.”

Band From TV donate all their proceeds to a range of charities, including Save the Children, The Art of Elysium, the Child Abuse Prevention Program and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Band From TV Are Hoggin' All The Covers

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Band From TV is set to release its first CD/DVD for charity.

Hoggin’ All The Covers will be released on Amazon on October 28, and will feature a fine selection of the songs the celebrity funksters have been rocking audiences with since being formed in 2006.

Band From TV is a 9 piece musical ensemble set up by Heroes’ star Greg Grunberg, who plays drums, and features the talents of Desperate Housewives’ James Denton on guitar, House’s Hugh Laurie on keyboards, and Desperate Housewives’ Teri Hatcher on vocals. The full length album follows earlier releases on the House soundtrack and the top-selling version of Minnie The Moocher on iTunes.

The live CD features 13 tracks – including “Piece of My Heart,” “Mustang Sally” and “The Letter” – recorded at a gig in LA, and the DVD includes footage of rehearsals, exclusive interviews and information on the charities that will benefit from sales, such as Save the Children, The Art of Elysium, the Child Abuse Prevention Program and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

The Band From TV Global Charity Trust was created to provide funding for several worthwhile charities, and to raise money through music to help those in need. Grunberg started the band after being asked to get a few celebrities to play together at the House Of Blues for charity. The event sparked a great amount of interest, and has led to a number of gigs in the US which have, according to Hugh Laurie, “raised a gargantuan sum of money for charity.”

The CD/DVD package will also be available from the Band From TV website.

Save The Music's Esquire Party In The Hills

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

VH1’s Save The Music Foundation is to team up with Esquire Magazine for a charity party in the Hollywood Hills.

This fall Esquire will unveil its sixth annual Signature Space, transforming a stunning, contemporary home into a true personification of the modern man’s lifestyle. Charity events held at the Esquire Signature Spaces have raised more than $7 million to date, and on Saturday, October 25th at 7PM the VH1 Save The Music Foundation will once again partner with the Magazine for a spectacular bash to benefit the Foundation’s work to restore instrumental music education programs.

The host committee for the event includes Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, James Denton, Ryan Eggold, Matt Grant, Greg Grunberg, Juliette Lewis, Taryn Manning, Niecy Nash, and Chris Webber. Attendees at past events include Kiefer Sutherland, John Mayer, Paula Abdul and many more.

This year’s “Signature Space” will include a special performance by Gavin Rossdale and will feature every imaginable amenity as well as breathtaking views of Los Angeles, the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island in what is sure to be one of the most talked about parties of the year. A limited number of tickets are available for $300. To purchase, call 212.654.5956 or email RSVP@vh1.com with Esquire House in subject line.

To purchase tickets online, click here.

Band From TV To Flex Their Musical Muscles For Rally

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

June 21 will see the Ford Flex Rally, a scavenger hunt-style car challenge, take to the streets of greater Los Angeles for charity. And the event will be hosted by Band from TV, a music group made up of some of your favorite TV stars.

Band From TV – whose members will drive in the rally and then perform at a red carpet event at the race finish – is a charity rock band of television actors who donate the proceeds of their performances and recordings to the charities of their choice. Formed by Greg Grunberg after performing at the House of Blues with several other celebrities, the band includes Hugh Laurie on keyboards, Teri Hatcher on vocals, and the talents of James Denton on guitar.

“The new Flex from Ford is cool, man,” said Greg Grunberg. “I’ve got 3 kids and I’m the drummer in the band and this car works for my lifestyle. Any time my band gets to play a big party like the Flex Launch and raise a ton of money for our charities is a great day in my book.”

The band will donate their proceeds to their favorite charities, and anyone wishing to join in the fun can register for the event at www.flexrally.com.

Hugh Laurie - Band From TV For Charity

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:13:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A rock group comprising of some of television’s biggest stars has scored a hit on iTunes with their new version of the Cab Calloway classic, Minnie The Moocher.

Band From TV is a 9 piece musical ensemble set up by Heroes’ star Greg Grunberg, who plays drums, and features the talents of Desperate Housewives’ James Denton on guitar and House’s Hugh Laurie on keyboards.

“There’s about 50 versions of Minnie The Moocher on iTunes, and I’m afraid ours is the most popular,” joked Laurie about the song’s current success. “It’s a funky version of it… it was a real thrill.”

Money from the gigs is split between the members of the group to go to the cause they feel most passionately about, including The Art of Elysium and The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Laurie’s charity of choice is Save the Children, an organization he has close family ties to – his sister, Susan Lassen, helped found the Save The Children Long Island Volunteer Chapter and was a member of the Board of Trustees.

Greg Grunberg also has close personal ties to his chosen beneficiary. “My oldest son has epilepsy,” he said. "And I saw this band as a wonderful vehicle to help raise money for the Pediatric Epilepsy Project. Having band mates who also happen to be in some of the most popular shows on television creates an amazing opportunity to really reach out to our fans to help support these wonderful causes."

The band, which also includes Bonnie Somerville, Brad Savage and The Bachelor’s Bob Guiney, is currently preparing the final touches to their first album, due to be released this Fall in the US. The CD/DVD package, to be called “Hoggin’ All The Covers”, features reworked versions of classic songs such as Mustang Sally, Lean On Me, and Pink Cadillac. They have also had their take on the old Rolling Stones song, You Can’t Always Get What You Want, included on the recently released House soundtrack.

Band From TV’s versions of Minnie The Moocher and You Can’t Always Get What You Want can be heard on www.myspace.com/bandfromtv, and more information about concert dates and the new album can be found at www.bandfromtv.org.

Buffett Auctions Celebrity Dinner For Charity

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 12:58:33 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Businessman and philanthropist extraordinare Warren Buffett is to auction off a meal with himself and celebrity friends.

A similar auction last year raised $620,000 for a business lunch with the world’s second richest man. The dinner now under auction will see the winner join Buffett, Robert Redford, musician Tim McGraw and actor James Denton of “Desperate Housewives” at the home of Buffett’s daughter Susie in Omaha, Nebraska.

The auction is taking place online at charityfolks.com, ending at 6pm on Monday 5th March. Proceeds will go to the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness, which advocates organ and tissue donation.

The Hollywood Cookbook Launch Party

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 20:32:59 -0000

Written by Charles Harder

Stars and food converged at Kitchen Academy in Hollywood last night for a party launching The Hollywood Cookbook — a beautiful 271-page hardcover collection of sumptuous recipes, each accompanied by a large photo, from the personal kitchens of 20 celebrities and 6 world-class chefs. Five dollars from each purchase benefits 20 important charities dear to the hearts of the celebrity contributors.

The cookbook covers the spectrum of food and beverage, from appetizers, soups and salads, to main courses, desserts, and even cocktails. Michael J. Fox's Barn Dance Chicken, and Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford's Savory Fall Stew are just two of the 107 creative and simple dishes that can be duplicated in any kitchen regardless of culinary skill level. Chefs Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Joachim Splichal, Nick Stellino, Michael Cimarusti and Rocco DiSpirito also contributed recipes to the book.

At the event, the students of Kitchen Academy prepared and served 20 recipes featured in the cookbook, each one tastier than the last. This reporter’s favorite: Door Knob Sweet Potato Balls (an appetizer) from designer Paige Hemmis of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Yum!

Chef Jamie Gwen’s movie-star looks and talk-show host’s presence kept attendees laughing and entertained as the event’s emcee. The evening included a cooking demonstration by actor Greg Grunberg, and an informal awards ceremony. Eric Close of TV’s Without a Trace gave a heartfelt tribute to his charity, Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, which pairs abused children with rescued horses and adult leaders at 24 wilderness ranches around the U.S. and Canada, to help restore the heart, soul, mind and strength of the kids.

Written by screenwriter Jackie Zabel and actress Morgan Most, and published by Silverback Books, The Hollywood Cookbook is a perfect holiday gift (retails for $35, but presently is featured at Amazon.com for only $23). The event was co-sponsored by Maurice Le Croix Swiss Watches and The Kitchen Academy.

Celebrities & Charities: Thora Birch (Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation), Michael Chiklis (The Children's Lifesaving Foundation), Eric Close (Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch), Mark Dacascos (Reel Angels), James Denton (Cure Autism Now), Michael J. Fox & Tracy Pollan (The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research), Afton Fraser & Brendan Fraser (P.S. ARTS), Greg Grunberg (Pediatric Epilepsy Project), Anne Hathaway (Lollipop Theater Network), Paige Hemmis (Habitat For Humanity), Ron Howard (Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America), Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford (Clothes Off Our Back), Esai Morales (TreePeople), Don Most (City of Hope), Bob Saget (Scleroderma Research Foundation), Marlo Thomas (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital), Kerry Washington (Step Up), Treat Williams (Save the Children), Alicia Witt (The Art of Elysium), and Kelly Wolf & Scott Wolf (Camp Heartland).

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