Look To The Stars News: Willie Nelson

Affleck Tops Charity Stars in Denver

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Denver saw an outpouring of celebrity love during last week’s DNC, with Ben Affleck leading the philanthropic pack.

On the Tuesday night, Affleck took part in a poker tournament, along with Richard Dreyfus and Montel Williams, which ultimately raised over $60,000 for the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

“A lot of important organizations use this environment and the people who are here, celebrities, members of Congress, to try and raise money. This is not a Democratic or Republican group, this is a group serving our veterans,” Affleck said of the charity.

Wednesday morning, the Pearl Harbor star was down at a local food bank, the Food Bank of the Rockies, to participate in a repack event for America’s Second Harvest. Also on hand for the event were members of the Senate Hunger Caucus and members of the House – all there to see who could pack the most boxes of food in five minutes. Affleck, incidentally, won both the poker and the packing events.

He was joined by wife Jennifer Garner for a book reading at the Starz Green Room. Also set to attend were Charlize Theron, Daryl Hannah, Rosario Dawson, Kerry Washington, Josh Brolin, Kal Penn, Stuart Townsend and Hill Harper.

Jennifer Lopez spoke at a reception sponsored by the Jennifer Lopez Foundation in honor of Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund. Fran Drescher, Ashley Judd and Joy Bryant joined Lopez in honoring Edelman.

The Black Eyed Peas performed at the Fillmore Auditorium for the Creative Coalition, and Kanye West performed at a party benefitting the ONE Campaign. Forest Whitaker, Kal Penn and Jamie Foxx were in attendance at the latter.

Moby performed at a private party for DoSomething.org, and Willie Nelson sang out for the people of Darfur at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Singers Combine Talents To Support America’s Farmers

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Rachel Krause

A 23-year-old music tradition continues on September 20 as Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young grace the stage at Farm Aid 2008.

While it’s the first time the event will be in New England, it’s not the first time Farm Aid will make a lot of noise. With the mission of combining great music and a great cause, musicians and organizers hope to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep struggling family farms afloat.

While not often covered in the media, there is a crisis facing family farmers in the United States today. Farmers are under intense economic pressure, especially during a recession, and every year thousands are forced off their land. As a result, our quality of food, environment, and food security suffers as large factory farms dominate the rural countryside.

Some think that with that loss of small family farms comes a loss of America.

“We’re at a moment when a lot of people are asking, ‘What is America? What represents America?’ Certainly, I think that the family farm is a main ingredient of what made America,” says Dave Matthews, musician and member of the board of directors of Farm Aid since 2001.

With the scares of tainted tomatoes, spinach, and jalapenos still fresh in American’s minds, people are looking to local farmers to provide safe, delicious, and organic goods. As a result, family farmers are at a higher demand than ever before and it is important to keep these people financially safe and secure.

“There’s a new food movement sweeping the country and Farm Aid is doing all we can to promote that movement,” says Willie Nelson, well-known folk musician and president of Farm Aid.

Every year Farm Aid funds farm support organizations that assist farmers with services including financial and credit counseling, legal advice, and disaster and emergency services. After the recent flooding in the Midwest in June, Farm Aid provided emergency funds for families to buy food and cover living expenses, as well as provided groups to help farmers avoid foreclosure. However, without the nation’s attention and support, Farm Aid’s work could not continue. It is the annual high-profile concert that ultimately keeps Farm Aid alive and running.

“Farm Aid puts family farmers on center stage,” says Caryoln Mugar, Executive Director. “We shine a national spotlight on family farmers – for our food, our health, our environment, our country. Farm Aid has always done that.”

As the longest running benefit concert in America, its ties have remained strong with famous musicians. Young, Mellencamp, and Nelson first organized the event in 1985, which took place in Champlain, Illinois. Throughout its run, famous musicians such as Elton John, Billy Joel, and Bob Dylan have performed in the hope of saving America’s family farmers.

This year’s lineup includes the three founding members of Farm Aid, as well as Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson, Dave Matthews, and One Flew South. While the concert is sold out, Farm Aid is sponsoring the Farmer Hero Sweepstakes that will give one winner and three lucky guests the chance to see the concert — which takes place in Mansfield, Massachusetts — for free. There are two ways to enter. One is to simply enter your name and email address on the Farm Aid website. The second option is to submit a 150 word true story about a farmer who you believe is a true hero.

Even if you can’t make it to this year’s concert there are always ways to help support Farm Aid and its mission of saving the family farmer. Anyone can make a donation or become a member. Even a visit to the Farm Aid shop will help support family farmers.

Every little bit counts, as through the efforts of Farm Aid and people across the nation, over $30 million dollars has been raised to support the family farmer, which in turn, has helped build a sound agricultural future for America.

To learn more about Farm Aid 2008 and the sweepstakes, visit http://www.farmaid.org.

Farm Aid 2008 To Rock New England

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Rocker John Mellencamp has unveiled the main acts set to kick up a storm at Farm Aid 2008.

The concert – which will take place on September 20 – will be held for the first time in New England, and will see performances by Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, and Willie Nelson, all of which are on the board of directors for Farm Aid. More acts will be announced over the next few weeks.

“We are proud to bring our annual Farm Aid concert to a region that has such strong agricultural roots and to the many people who love to eat the good food grown in New England,” said Nelson, Farm Aid’s president. “I’m looking forward to bringing my friends together on the Farm Aid stage to celebrate and support family farmers."

Now entering its 23rd year, Farm Aid has raised more than $23 million for family farms and organic agricultural initiatives since the first concert in 1985. A plethora of stars have appeared at the concerts to increase awareness of the importance of family farms over the years, including Jon Bon Jovi, Bob Dylan, Vince Gill, Sammy Hagar, Don Henley, Billy Joel, Charley Pride, and Lou Reed.

“New England was built on the strength of independent family farmers,” said Mellencamp. “We can honor that independent spirit by joining Farm Aid to grow the movement that is changing the way all of America eats.”

The concert will take place at the Comcast Arena in Mansfield. Tickets go on sale July 28 through Ticketmaster.

Julia Roberts - More Than Just A Pretty Woman

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:17:32 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Julia Roberts may be one of the most instantly recognizable actresses in Hollywood, but as a child she suffered from an affliction shared by over 3 million other Americans. Along with her brother, Heroes star Eric Roberts, the actress was a chronic stutterer. But it was a disorder she fought to overcome, and now she is helping others overcome the frustrating complaint.

Born in Smyrna, Georgia, Roberts wanted nothing more than to be a veterinarian when she grew up. Her father, a professional vacuum cleaner salesman, was a keen amateur actor who met his wife, a real estate agent, through a local theater group. Acting and performing was a big part of family life in the Roberts’ household, and thespian pursuits soon rubbed off on the young Roberts children. The two older offspring soon headed to New York to pursue acting careers, but Julia stayed at home to attend university. However, the acting bug could not be suppressed, and upon graduation, Julia headed to the Big Apple to join her sister, actress Lisa Roberts Gillan.

But before she could break into show business, Roberts had to beat her stuttering problem. She did this through the support of her family and friends, and last week, along with her brother, was asked by the Stuttering Foundation of America to be a spokesperson for the group.

“It would be marvelous to have them participate,” said foundation representative Jane Fraser. “They have no doubt inspired young people with the problem.”

The late 80’s were a struggle for the young actress, although she began to build up a profile by appearing in shows such as Miami Vice and Sesame Street. But it was a role as a diabetic in Steel Magnolias that launched Roberts into the public eye and gave her the first of many Oscar nominations.

1990 saw the release of Pretty Woman, alongside Richard Gere, and another Oscar nomination. Her star rose to prominence throughout the next decade with roles in seven high-grossing films, such as Hook, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and Notting Hill. But it was her leading role in 2001’s Erin Brockovich that finally won her a Best Actress Oscar.

In 1995, Roberts expressed a desire to make her celebrity status mean something, and approached UNICEF to ask how she could make a difference in the world. The organization sent her to Port-au-Prince, the largest city in Haiti. It was a life-changing experience for the actress, and she found the poverty in the slums overwhelming. She later commented that her “heart was just bursting” at the sight of the children, many off whom were undernourished and homeless. Since then, she has visited many of the world’s poorest countries promoting peace, goodwill, and help for those in need.

In 2000, Roberts narrated a documentary film about Rett Syndrome, a rare disorder that can be fatal in young girls, and also represented the International Rett Syndrome Association in front of Congress in 2002.

"Congress has within its power the ability to provide the accelerated funding needed to increase our understanding of Rett syndrome,” she told a subcommittee of the House of Appropriations. "There is an urgent need now… to redouble the efforts of researchers and capitalize on their important and steadfast work.”

Roberts also sits alongside Paul Newman on the Board of Directors for the Hole in the Wall Gang, the world’s largest network of camps for ill children, and in 2007 she designed bracelets that were sold as part of Bono’s Product (RED) Campaign.

In 2006, Roberts became the Advisory Board Chairperson for Earth Biofuels, a company set up in Mississippi in 2004 to implement clean-burning fuels on a nationwide scale. Her passion for the environment led her to join Board members Morgan Freeman and Willie Nelson in a crusade to encourage the use of biofuels in over 500,000 school buses.

“It’s very important that we expand our use of clean energy and make a long-term commitment to it,” she said. “Biodiesel and ethanol are better for the environment and for the air we breathe.The use of biodiesel is a positive step toward minimizing pollutive emissions and greenhouse gases. By focusing on school buses, we can affect the health and wellbeing of the people most susceptible to that pollution – our children – today.”

Roberts is currently starring in Charlie Wilson’s War alongside Tom Hanks, but perhaps it is a line from Erin Brockovich that best sums up her attitude towards the causes she supports:

“For the first time in my life, I got people respecting me – please don’t ask me to give it up.”

Natural Heroes' Stories Told By Green Stars

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 14:14:28 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

“All over the world, ordinary citizens are finding ways to bring clean air and water back to their communities, preserve open spaces, protect endangered species, and ensure that their schools and neighborhoods are healthy.” The show Natural Heroes’ stories is back for its third season, narrated by a host of celebrities, and jointly made by award-winning non-profit organization Green Treks Network and KRCB Public Television.

The show’s stories span all types of environments, across the globe:

Plantations: impoverished coffee farmers gaining little from the increased sale price of coffee, American apple farmers losing their land and others who hold the answers to renewal, and the largest urban garden in the US, the South Central Farm in LA, where Daryl Hannah, Joan Baez, Martin Sheen and Willie Nelson profile the benefits, supporters, evictions, developers and farmers.

Oceans: Papua New Guinea where the Titan people, after 40,000 years, are running out of fish on their coral reefs, the continuing decline of native fish populations all over the world and its impact on the dependant communities, and the threat to Moss Beach, California’s surf and rocky tide pools.

Wilderness: New Zealand looking to the wilderness for answers, and Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula where people, industry and nature seek a way to live in harmony.

Solutions: from pilots in the skies to an outdoor learning centre for urban kids, from the Power Shift, narrated by Cameron Diaz, where homes generate more power than they use, to fourth generation fisherwoman, Diane Wilson, who puts her life at risk to battle the giants of the petro-chemical industry and their toxic waste.

Out to educate people, Green Treks focuses on “the interconnectedness of environmental, societal, economic and individual health,” and KRCB with information and culture in partnership with community.

“People from all walks of life are taking environmental stewardship seriously” — Green Treks and KRCB are bringing those people’s efforts to us.

London and Austin host GuitarTown for charity

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:12:01 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sir Paul McCartney is among a group of celebrities who have donated giant guitars to exhibitions in both America and England, to be auctioned off over the next few months.

The exhibitions are part of the Gibson GuitarTown Galas And Auctions being held in London and Austin, and feature both 10-foot-high and regular-sized guitars designed and signed by artists and musicians. The sculptures have been on show in the cities for 10 weeks, and will soon be removed in preparation for the auctions, which will benefit a variety of local charities.

“I just fancied playing a big guitar!” joked Sir Paul, who signed a sculpture designed by cartoonist Rosie Brooks entitled And The Crowd Goes Wild. “I think this one will hopefully catch the imagination of the public and whoever is going to buy it at the auction, and raise money for "The Prince’s Trust”:http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/116-princes-trust, the Teenage Cancer Trust, and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy – which are all great charities."

GuitarTown London is an initiative of The Gibson Foundation, a division of Gibson Guitars that is dedicated to improving the quality of life through the support of arts, education, health and welfare, and environmental causes. It follows a similar event held in Nashville in 2005, which raised over $400,000 for local charities, and is coupled with an event currently being held in Austin, Texas. GuitarTown Austin features 65 giant sculptures and showcase guitars, which are currently on display in various locations around the city.

Celebrities such as Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Jamie Foxx, Dennis Quaid, Lance Armstrong, and Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines have all contributed their signatures to the artworks, to be auctioned at a special event at the Austin Grand Atrium on October 17. Bidders will have the chance to attend the Gala evening or bid online, with all proceeds going to the Health Alliance For Austin Musicians, the Austin Museum For Art, American Youthworks, and the Austin Children’s Museum.

“This public arts project showcases the enormous talent of both Austin’s visual and musical artists in the community,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, CEO of Gibson Guitars. “I hope Austin GuitarTown strikes a chord in people’s souls.”

The London GuitarTown Gala and Auction will be held on November 8, in the Indigo Room at the O2 Dome, and the sculptures are currently on display at More London in South Bank. Other artists to have contributed to the 61 items include Rod Stewart, Katie Melua, Corinne Bailey Rae, KT Tunstall, the Kaiser Chiefs, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, James Blunt, Cliff Richard, Mark Knopfler, and Roger Waters.

“It seems the electric guitar is here to stay,” said Brian May, guitarist for Queen, who has two works included in the auction. “Gibson GuitarTown London looks set to become a glorious testament to this fact, and will be raising money and awareness for three great charities. I’m proud to endorse its imminent success.”

More information on the exhibitions and auctions can be found at www.londonguitartown.com.

More Artists Join Farm Aid in New York

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 13:31:07 -0000

As reported earlier, Farm Aid is set to take place on Sunday, September 9 at Randall’s Island in New York City. This is the first time that the day-long music festival will take place in New York, and it’s setting the stage for future major concert events to feature an abundance of family farm food vendors, serving local, organic, humanely-raised and family farmed food. There will also be hands-on, interactive exhibits with farmers and activities that inspire living a homegrown life.

Farm Aid 2007: A Homegrown Festival is drawing huge support from the music scene, and recently joining the already incredible lineup are Ray Price, Merle Haggard, Danielle Evin, Jesse Lenat, Jimmy Sturr, Pauline Reese, Billy Joe Shaver and Paula Nelson. Fans have the chance to win front row seats, airfare and hotel accommodations for Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival at www.topofthehaystack.com.

Tickets for Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (212) 307-7171, (631) 888-9000 or (203) 624-0033. Ticket prices are $52 for general admission, $102 for reserved seats and $302 for VIP reserved seats. The VIP package includes catering in an exclusive area and other amenities.

Farm Aid’s mission is to build a vibrant family-farm centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host the annual concerts to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family-farmed food.

Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised over $30 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the current system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

Farm Aid founder Willie Nelson will perform at the Hard Rock International’s Ambassadors of Rock event at the Hard Rock Café New York in Times Square on Monday, September 10 to promote sustainable biodiesel practices, including harvesting,
production and distribution of biodiesel fuels. For more information, visit www.hardrock.com.

Farm Aid Concert Lineup Announced

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:36:09 -0000

Farm Aid has announced the full lineup of performers for its upcoming day-long event, Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival. Artists representing a variety of genres are slated to join Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews on Sunday, September 9 at Randall’s Island in New York City. The show will promote food from family farmers and raise funds for Farm Aid’s work throughout the year to strengthen family farm agriculture.

Visitors to the festival will have the chance to enjoy performances by Tim Reynolds, The Allman Brothers Band, Counting Crows, Matisyahu, Guster, The Derek Trucks Band, Warren Haynes, Supersuckers, The Ditty Bops and Montgomery Gentry. Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, The Allman Brothers Band, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds are scheduled to play full sets.

“Thanks to a warm welcome from Mayor Bloomberg and New Yorkers, Farm Aid is bringing the annual concert to New York for the first time in 22 years,” said Carolyn Mugar, Farm Aid’s executive director. “With inspiring music from generous artists and a menu of family farm food, Randall’s Island will be transformed into a music festival to be remembered.”

Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival will feature a full day of music, an abundance of family farm food vendors, and hands-on, interactive exhibits with farmers and activists that inspire living a homegrown life. For the first time at a major concert event, the goal is to serve 100 percent local, organic, humanely-raised and family-farmed food.

Tickets for Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (212) 307-7171, (631) 888-9000 or (203) 624-0033. Ticket prices are $52 for general admission, $102 for reserved seats and $302 for VIP reserved seats. The VIP package includes catering in an exclusive area and other amenities.

A limited number of premium seats and VIP packages are also available for charitable sale at www.tickets-for-charity.com. Fans may access these seats at face value plus a donation, which is directed to Farm Aid.

Farm Aid fans also have the chance to win front row seats, airfare and hotel accommodations for Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival at www.topofthehaystack.com.

Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival is sponsored by Silk Soymilk, Horizon Organic, Fields Family Foundation, Chipotle, Whole Foods Market, Citizens Energy, Chevy, Organic Trade Association, New Hope Natural Media, Clif Bar, Organic Valley Family of Farms, Niman Ranch and Annie’s Homegrown.

The most efficient way to get to Randall’s Island is to catch the ferry, bus or train. For bus and train information visit www.mta.info/nyct or call (718) 330-1234. For ferry information visit www.nywaterway.com/event/randalls.shtml or call 1-800-53-FERRY.

Farm Aid’s mission is to build a vibrant family-farm centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual concert to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family-farmed food. Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised over $30 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the current system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

Clapton Hits the Right Notes for Treatment Center

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 09:06:15 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Twenty of the world’s greatest guitarists and musicians are teaming up for the Crossroads Guitar Festival, a charity concert taking place in Chicago on July 28th.

The event has been organized by bluesman Eric Clapton to raise money for the Crossroads Centre, a treatment facility set up by Clapton for those who suffer from alcohol and drug abuse. Popular musicians such as Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, and Willie Nelson will join Clapton on stage for the day long concert, to be held at Toyota Park.

Clapton’s vision is to create an event where his friends and contemporaries can “have fun and jam together for the benefit of a good cause.” It is the second time he has organized a Crossroads Guitar Festival. The first was held in Dallas in 2004.

Also as part of his fundraising efforts, Clapton has joined forces with guitar manufacturer Fender to create a series of limited edition guitars and amplifiers. 100 Crossroads Fender Stratocasters and 50 Crossroads Fender ’57 Twin-Amps have been produced, and all proceeds will go towards the Crossroads Center. The amplifiers are being sold as a set with the guitars, and are priced at $30,000 pair. The remaining 50 guitars cost $20,000 each.

Clapton, who suffered from alcohol and drug dependency for many years, opened the Crossroads Center on the Caribbean island of Antigua in 1998. It takes its name from a line in one of Clapton’s most famous songs – “Standing at the crossroads, trying to read the signs to tell me which way to go to find the answer”.

Music Legends Bring Farm Aid to New York

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 07:55:41 -0000

Written by Nadia Lias

What other better way to raise awareness and funds than having a fun filled annual concert loaded with country, blues and rock music? Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews seem to be doing a great job in creating such fun with a cause.

Farm Aid is back, and on September 9, it will continue its mission to create awareness of the importance of family farms at its concert in Randall’s Island, New York. Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival is not to be missed, promising superb tunes from great lineups, 100% delicious family farm food and homegrown fun.

Founded in 1985, Farm Aid was created to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land producing fresh, healthful food for everyone. Farm Aid has raised more than $30 million for the good cause. For more information on the concert visit the Farm Aid website.

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