Look To The Stars News: Amy Grant

Photos: Country Stars Meet Santa With Make-A-Wish Kids

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:30:00 +0000

Trading in his reindeer for a shiny Macy’s tour bus, Santa Claus came to the Nashville in style this week! Visiting children of all ages, Santa welcomed one-and-all to join in the festivities, as he reminds everyone about the magic of the Christmas season and shares a few magical moments with his jolly elves.

Amy Grant dances with the kids

Stars Get Behind The American Red Cross For Christmas

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:40:00 +0000

More than a dozen celebrities are urging their fans and the public to donate to the American Red Cross this holiday season and give a gift that will help people when they need it most.

Celebrities who are actively encouraging support for the Red Cross holiday giving campaign include those on the National Celebrity Cabinet as well as other entertainment supporters. Actors Nick Cannon, Jackie Chan, Ted Danson and Alyssa Milano; television personalities Nate Berkus, Leeza Gibbons, Dr. Phil McGraw and Nancy O’Dell; and award-winning artists Amy Grant, Wynonna Judd, Maroon 5 and Darius Rucker have lent their support.

Billy Ray Cyrus' Veterans Day Salute

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Sirius XM Radio has announced that multi-platinum artist Billy Ray Cyrus joined forces with SiriusXM Patriot host Mike Slater at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego to salute the brave men and women serving our nation for SiriusXM’s “I’m American” Veterans Day special premiering on Veterans Day, November 11, at 2:00 pm ET on SiriusXM Patriot channel 125.

The one-hour special features Cyrus performing acoustic versions of “Some Gave All,” “I’m American,” “Achy Breaky Heart” and “Nineteen” and conversations on-site with the servicemen and women of Camp Pendleton.

Red Cross Announces New Stars For National Celebrity Cabinet

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 20:00:00 +0000

Five celebrities join the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, a group of celebrity supporters who promote Red Cross services by donating their time, helping neighbors prepare for emergencies, responding to disasters and lending a helping hand to those in need – down the street, across the country and around the world.

New members include talk show host and designer Nate Berkus, Emmy and Tony award winning performer Kristin Chenoweth, Latin star and multiple award winner Rogelio Martinez, award-winning country artist Darius Rucker, and Christian/Pop recording artist, Michael W. Smith.

With the addition of the five new members, the Red Cross now has 40 members on its National Celebrity Cabinet. This group of newcomers joins the National Celebrity Cabinet that also includes Josh Duhamel, Alyssa Milano, Greg Biffle, Pierce Brosnan, Jim Cantore, Jackie Chan, Chayanne, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Sara Evans, George Foreman, Leeza Gibbons, Amy Grant, Pat Green, Marcia Gay Harden, Patricia Heaton, Julianne Hough, Dwayne Johnson, Heidi Klum, Patti LaBelle, Demi Lovato, Eli and Peyton Manning, Marlee Matlin, Dr. Phil McGraw, Nancy O’Dell, Masi Oka, Rascal Flatts, Amanda Peet, Sally Pressman, Elisabeth Rohm, Anika Noni Rose, Jane Seymour, Jimmy Smits, Raven Symone and Daddy Yankee.

Celebrities Reveal What Is Under Their Kilts For Charity

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:00:00 +0000

A host of celebrities took to the catwalk for charity and Scotland in New York on Tuesday for the annual Dressed To Kilt celebrity charity fashion event.

Although host Sean Connery pulled out of the event at the last minute, some massive stars wore their tartan on the catwalk for the benefit for the Wounded Warrior Project, the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Erskine Hospital in Scotland at the Friends of Scotland event.

Kiefer Sutherland, Chris Noth, Brian Cox, Jason Patric and Jim Gaffigan wowed the crowd when they revealed exactly what one wears under his kilt by flashing their rear-ends. Other models included Billy Connolly, Amy Grant, Matthew Modine and Kellie Pickler, with Donald Trump among the audience.

Sean Connery To Host Celebrity Charity Fashion Show

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Sean Connery and Friends of Scotland will once again host the Dressed To Kilt charity fashion event in New York tonight, as some famous faces hit the catwalk for several good causes.

Some of the models strutting their stuff for Scotland at the event will be Billy Connolly, Amy Grant, Matthew Modine, Kellie Pickler and many more.

The 2011 Theme of the show draws its inspiration from the world of country music, particularly its roots and origins. Country music began with the ballads, songs and instruments from the Scots and the Scots-Irish. For much of the 18th and 19th centuries the Scottish immigrants came to the Appalachian mountains of North America and they brought with them their music and their instruments. These people did not have an easy life and their music gave them an outlet to express their hardships. This music was preserved primarily in the southern USA, from Tennessee to Texas. In the 20th century the personality of the this music changed and many sub-genres emerged. Now at the beginning of the 21st century country music is one of the most popular music forms and in fact is one of the best selling music genres after pop/rock. Remarkably a very large percentage of country music artists have a Scots or Scots-Irish background. To name but a few, this group includes Amy Grant, Brad Paisley, Reba McIntyre, Martina McBride, and Tim McGraw. This year’s show will have more live artists and music than previous years. There will be Scottish artists that represent the roots of country music, world renown Scottish performers that represent the best of the current Scottish music scene and there will be several major country music stars present.

Nashville Stars Donate Clothes To Animal Charity

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Nashville has a new star by the name of Lori Elam, a remarkable woman inspired by the loss of her pets to open a new consignment shop that sells clothing donated by country music artists and celebrities in efforts to raise money for animal rescue efforts.

“When I lost those two [pets], I met this world of people who are out there saving animals. They educated me on how animals were being treated and being euthanized, and it was a whole other culture that I was not aware of,” Elam told the Tennessean.

Elam’s celebrity consignment shop Estrella will open in May on 12South Avenue.

Country Stars Go Blue For Colon Cancer Charity

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:30:00 +0000

The Colon Cancer Alliance has announced the 3rd Annual “Stars Go Blue” benefit concert for colon cancer at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. The event benefits the Blue Note Fund, which provides financial support for colon cancer patients in need of financial assistance.

The theme of this year’s show is “Couples in Country Music” featuring multi-platinum MCA recording artist and Grand Ole Opry member Josh Turner and his wife and band member, Jennifer, along with Grammy winning singer Linda Davis and her husband singer/songwriter, Lang Scott. Also performing is “Stars Go Blue” creator and Grammy nominated producer/artist Charlie Kelley with his wife, GAC personality Nan Kelley.

Country Stars To Shine For Flood Victims At Charity Concert

Wed, 12 May 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Taylor Swift, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw are the latest country stars to offer their help to victims of Nashville’s devastating floods.

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw announced on Monday that they are planning a massive benefit concert to be held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville next month.

“On Tuesday, June 22nd, the Music City community will unite to assist victims of the floods that ravaged Nashville and Middle Tennessee earlier this month,” said the pair. “The damage that we’ve seen to people’s homes and the effect that the flooding has had on their lives is unimaginable. But we’ve seen the spirit of our community first hand, as volunteers, church groups and our local business leaders rally to help.”

Alyssa Milano Among New Stars Named In Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:30:00 +0000

The American Red Cross has announced eight new members to its National Celebrity Cabinet, a group of celebrity supporters who promote Red Cross services by donating their time, helping neighbors prepare for emergencies, responding to disasters and lending a helping hand to those in need – down the street, across the country and around the world.

New members include actor Penn Badgley, who is best known as Dan Humphrey on the television series Gossip Girl, Giselle Blondet, a Puerto Rican who has long established herself as one of Spanish-language television’s most distinguished and popular on-air personalities, actor Josh Duhamel, who appeared in the hit movie Transformers, country music superstar Wynonna Judd, actor and hip hop music icon, LL Cool J, award winning actress and country music superstar Reba McEntire, actress and humanitarian Alyssa Milano, and actor, comedian and television personality David Spade. With the addition of the eight new members, the Red Cross now has more than 40 members on its National Celebrity Cabinet.

“The American Red Cross runs on the valuable service of volunteers to fulfill our mission, and we are grateful that these celebrities are setting an example by volunteering their time and talents to help raise awareness of our work in responding to disasters, providing blood, helping military members and their families and promoting preparedness through first aid or CPR classes,” states Gail McGovern, President and CEO of American Red Cross.

American Red Cross Announces Celebrity Cabinet

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:00:00 +0000

The American Red Cross is pleased to announce five new additions to its National Celebrity Cabinet, a group of celebrity supporters who promote Red Cross services by donating their time, helping neighbors prepare for emergencies, responding to disasters and lending a helping hand to those in need.

New members to the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet include country singer and professional ballroom dancer Julianne Hough, Tony Award-winner and actress Anika Noni Rose, who lends her voice to the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated comedy adventure “The Princess and the Frog” and appears in the HBO/Anthony Minghella television drama series,“#1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”, Hollywood Records artist and Disney Channel star Demi Lovato, who is supporting disaster relief via a Text 2 Help campaign throughout her summer tour, actress Sally Pressman from Lifetime’s “Army Wives” who will be supporting Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces, and actress Amanda Peet.

Peet has already made a personal commitment to support the Red Cross Measles Initiative. “As a mom, I feel privileged to support the American Red Cross in their efforts to vaccinate millions of children around the world through the Measles Initiative, a partnership committed to reducing measles deaths globally. I commend the American Red Cross for tackling this global health problem in developing countries, where measles remains a leading cause of death, despite the availability of a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine. I am passionate about this cause and look forward partnering with the American Red Cross to ensure children worldwide have this life-saving opportunity.”

Scarlett Johansson Goes Barefoot For Charity

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

This week is the Second Annual Barefoot Week, organized by Soles4Souls, and a host of celebrities are stepping forward to support it.

Soles4Souls is an international shoe charity dedicated to providing a free pair of shoes to people in need. This week, the non-profit organization will be distributing thousands of pairs of new shoes in the United States while it also collects “gently worn” shoes from the general public during thousands of concurrent shoe drives at schools, churches and community centers.

The campaign is being spearheaded by Scarlett Johansson, who previously donated 2000 pairs of new shoes from her own line of Reebok footwear, and is lending her name to help raise publicity about Barefoot Week. Antawn Jamison, Jessica Simpson, Brittany Snow, Kellie Pickler, Luke Perry, Riddick Bowe, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Chris Hope, Jeff Fisher and Tim Dunn have also voiced their support for the weeklong series of events.

Vince Gill To Host Charity Concert

Thu, 21 May 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Vince Gill will join his wife Amy Grant in hosting a concert to launch a new national initiative to support and connect existing programs for disabled veterans.

Challenge America’s mission is to support the development of recreational and occupational programs in willing communities to link new and existing services to better serve returning injured military and their families.

“It’s going to be a very relaxed, comfortable evening,” Gill told People.com. “We’re going to sit in a semi-circle and go around the circle taking turns doing songs. It’ll feel like sitting in a living room. You don’t have any idea where the evening is going to go.”

Julianne Moore Hosts Charity Gala

Wed, 20 May 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Actress Julianne Moore hosted Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance’s 35th anniversary gala earlier this month, with big names such as Rachael Ray, Amy Grant and Vince Gill also in attendance.

TS Alliance is the leading organisation funding research into the cure for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a genetic disorder that causes tumours to form on organs, which can be life threatening. TSC is also the leading genetic cause of infantile spasms, epilepsy and autism. Surprisingly unheard of in the general population, over one million people are known to have TSC and many more as yet undiagnosed.

Moore, who is now the honorary chair of the charity, was introduced to it through a stranger. She recalls: “A dad and his little boy approached me on the streets of New York. The child’s head was stitched and bandaged. The man explained his son had tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disorder that can cause brain tumours, epilepsy, autism, kidney failure and even death, but not enough is being done to find a cure.”

Celebrities Send Messages Of Support For Earth Hour

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:30:00 +0000

This Saturday, March 28, will mark Earth Hour, an initiative of the WWF in which people around the world are being encouraged to switch their lights off between 8:30 and 9:30pm in a bid to reach the target of one billion people who are committed to fighting climate change.

Earth Hour has grown from a single event in Sydney, Australia, in March 2007 to a global phenomenon that will change the way the world sees climate change. On March 31, 2007, over 2.2 million people and 2,100 corporations in Sydney turned their lights off for an hour, creating an energy saving of 10.2% – that’s roughly the same as taking 48,000 cars off the road!

A number of celebrities have thrown their support behind the initiative and have spoken about its importance:

Christian Singers Unite For Charity

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 12:30:00 +0000

Michael W. Smith, as well as 11 other Christian songwriters, retired earlier this year in Scotland to write songs to raise money to be donated to charities under the CompassionArt project.

People can donate what they want and download six of the songs at http://widget.nabbr.com/compassion_art.html.

CompassionArt, under the leadership of the Grammy Award Winning American Christian Singer and songwriter Michael W. Smith, announced the January 27 release of the charity’s self-titled album, CompassionArt: Creating Freedom from Poverty. All the publishing royalties from the 15-song disc will be donated to various organizations supported by the participating artists and songwriters, including Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Kirk Franklin, and CeCe Winans, among others.

Celebrity-Designed My Little Pony Dolls Up For Auction

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Little girls all around the year have been playing with My Little Pony dolls for 25 years, and to celebrate, Hasbro Inc has launched an auction of one-of-a-kind celebrity-designed My Little Ponies for charity.

Courteney Cox, John Stamos, LeAnn Rimes, Amy Grant, and David Arquette are among the celebrities who have designed the toys that are up for auction.

The 18-inch ponies are available for bidding now on www.charityfolks.com, and the proceeds will be donated to the Give Kids The World Village, a resort in Orlando that hosts children with life-threatening illnesses and their families for a cost-free stay and visit to the Central Florida theme parks and attractions.

Red Cross Announces The 2008 Celebrity Cabinet

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:36:00 +0000

The American Red Cross unveiled their 7th annual National Celebrity Cabinet yesterday, February 28, with 15 new members from movies, sports, and television.

Skateboard legend Tony Hawk will join former Beverly Hills 90210 and Dancing With The Stars alum Jennie Garth, Heroes’ Masi Oka, Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley, House M.D.’s Lisa Edelstein and Kal Penn, Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz, Grey’s Anatomy’s Sara Ramirez, Scrubs’ Judy Reyes, Everyone Loves Raymond’s Patricia Heaton, Hairspray’s Brittany Snow, two-time NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, New York Yankee Robinson Cano, NFL star Matt Leinart, and Life Coach Iyanla Vanzant in the 2008 Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, part of a mobilizing force to urge people to perform extraordinary life-saving acts in dire circumstances through the assistance of the Red Cross.

“I am extremely honored to participate in the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, especially at a time when we have the ability to do so much for people around the world who have endured such tragedies,” said new member Jennie Garth. “The Red Cross brings help and hope to those in need and has done tremendous good for so many different people on a global level. I believe this is a time when we can educate others and the Red Cross allows for the opportunity for each individual to contribute to the effort. I am grateful that I am able be part of this amazing organization.”

Country Singers Promote Dream Home Raffle

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:35:23 +0000

Singers Vince Gill and Amy Grant appeared onstage at a show late last week to raise awareness of the June raffle of the 2008 St Jude Dream Home – a 3,871-square-foot house valued at $650,000.

The show, held in Franklin, Tennessee, also featured performances by the Wooten Brothers and American Idol finalists Melinda Doolittle and Phil Stacey. Over 800 people attended the event, many purchasing tickets for the Dream Home raffle.

The Tennessee Dream Home is one of 34 Dream Homes across America, and organizers of the raffle hope to raise $1.6 million in what has become an annual event. All proceeds from the raffle will go to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centres.

Celebrity Auction Roundup, September 2007

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:27:03 +0000

September 2007 is shaping up to be a busy month for celebrity charity auctions, with proceeds going towards a variety of causes, including the disadvantaged, the sick, the environment, and an endangered species of seal.

One of the most anticipated auctions of the year, the Chevy Chase Green School Auction, kicked off on September 6, and runs until September 20 on www.charitybuzz.com. This is the fourth year the auction has been running, with proceeds going to the Centre For Environmental Education Online. CEE Online is a non-profit organization set up 17 years ago by actor Chevy Chase and his wife Jayni, and grew out of their belief that for environmental understanding to change, it must begin with the education of children. This year’s fundraising will benefit initiatives involving sustainability, the science of climate change, and the support of healthy food in schools.

There are 43 items on auction, with the most popular being a lunch with Bill Clinton and Chevy Chase for two people. This was expected to raise $35,000, but is already attracting bids of over $45,000. Other popular items are a day on the set of a movie with Cameron Diaz (expected to reach $10,000), and backstage passes to The Rachael Ray Show in New York, including a meet and greet with the star, a personal tour of the studios, and a set of signed cookbooks and Rachael Ray cooking utensils (valued at $2,500). Simon Cowell has donated tickets to American Idol to the auction, and other lots include a tour of Martha Stewart’s garden, the opportunity to spend an afternoon filming with Daryl Hannah for her environmental website, and the chance to meet Ben Stiller at the world premier of his next movie.