20th Anniversary Tribute Will Benefit MusiCares' Emergency Financial Assistance And Addiction Recovery Programs

WHO: Performances by multi-GRAMMY®-winning artists Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, k.d. lang, Dave Matthews, Ozomatli, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and James Taylor; GRAMMY winners John Mellencamp, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Wilco; GRAMMY-nominated artists Jackson Browne and Josh Groban; and acclaimed emerging band Everest.

Attendees include President/CEO of MusiCares® and The Recording Academy® Neil Portnow, and MusiCares Foundation Board Chair Paul Caine and Board Chair Emeritus John Branca. Dinner co-chairs are Warner Bros. Records Chairman Emeritus Mo Ostin; Lookout Management President and Founder Elliot Roberts; and Warner Bros. Records Chairman/CEO Tom Whalley. Two-time GRAMMY-winning producer Don Was will be the evening's musical director. Past MusiCares Person of the Year honorees include: Tony Bennett, Bono, Natalie Cole, Phil Collins, David Crosby, Neil Diamond, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Don Henley, Billy Joel, Elton John, Quincy Jones, Luciano Pavarotti, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, Sting, James Taylor, Brian Wilson, and Stevie Wonder. In addition, a host of celebrities, along with prominent music industry and entertainment executives, are scheduled to attend.

WHAT: Legendary artist and activist Neil Young will be honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year at a special event celebrating his exceptional artistic achievements as well as his philanthropic work. Proceeds from the annual Person of the Year tribute — now in its 20th year — provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

GALA:The 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year gala will begin with a special reception and silent auction that will offer an exclusive and unparalleled selection of luxury items, VIP experiences and one-of-a-kind celebrity memorabilia for bidding guests. The auction will be followed by a gala dinner, an award presentation and a star-studded tribute concert. The MusiCares Person of the Year tribute is one of the most prestigious events held during GRAMMY Week. The celebration culminates with the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The telecast will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. ET/PT. For information on purchasing tables and tickets to the event, please contact Dana Tomarken at 310.392.3777.

WHY: MusiCares offers programs and services to members of the music community including emergency financial assistance for basic living expenses including rent, utilities and car payments; medical expenses including doctor, dentist and hospital bills; psychotherapy; and treatment for HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, hepatitis C, and other critical illnesses. MusiCares offers nationwide educational workshops covering a variety of subjects, including financial, legal, medical and substance abuse issues, and programs in collaboration with healthcare professionals that provide services such as flu shots, hearing tests and medical/dental screenings. The MusiCares MAP Fund® allows access to addiction recovery treatment and sober living resources for members of the music community regardless of their financial circumstances. Staffed by qualified chemical dependency and intervention specialists, MusiCares Safe Harbor Rooms offer a support network to those in recovery while they are participating in the production of televised music shows and other major music events. MusiCares holds weekly addiction support groups for people to discuss how to best cope with the issues surrounding the recovery process. The MusiCares Sober Touring Network is a database of individuals across the United States who can take music people to recovery support meetings while on the road. For more information, please visit www.musicares.com.

WHERE: Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall
1201 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA  90015
Parking: West Hall Lot, off Cherry Street; cost: $12 (no valet available)

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 29, 2010
5:00 p.m.  Media Check-in (at Gilbert Lindsay Plaza)
5:30 p.m.  Red Carpet Arrivals, Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction
8:00 p.m.  Gala Dinner
9:00 p.m.  Award Tribute & Concert

MEDIA R.S.V.P. MANDATORY: grammy@rogersandcowan.com

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If you are interested in covering this event, you MUST request credentials no later than Monday, Jan. 25, 2010. Credentials will be picked up at media check-in on the day of the event. All crews must be self-contained, ENG crews. All satellite truck/van parking must be coordinated with Eileen Thompson no later than Monday, Jan. 25, 2010. ALL MEDIA MUST BE CREDENTIALED for this event.
      
Established in 1989 by The Recording Academy, MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. For more information, please visit www.musicares.com.
     
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and a YouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.