Josh Groban and Mary J. Blige join American Cancer Society’s 100th birthday campaign to wipe out the disease

Mary J. Blige in American Cancer Society ad

By Sarah Weiss

Josh Groban and Mary J. Blige are making some noise, but not in the recording studio. The American Cancer Society collaborated with the music superstars to create television ads to inspire people everywhere to make this cancer’s last century.

As the American Cancer Society observes its 100th birthday, it is more determined than ever to ensure that more Americans get to see more birthdays. The renowned organization is the nation’s largest non-profit investor in cancer research, and secures resources for people fighting cancer while working to find cures that save lives.

The Groban and Blige ads are airing on ABC, CBS, NBC and USA networks, and feature the artists declaring the need to make noise for cancer research to finish the fight once and for all.

Musicians aren’t the only ones getting into the act. Michael Douglas, cancer-survivor and Academy Award-winning actor, is set to appear in a print ad campaign in May that will be featured in magazines such as Good Housekeeping, O, House Beautiful, and Redbook. In the ad, Douglas’ life-list will be displayed, with finding a cure for throat cancer at the top of the list.

Hoda Koab, breast-cancer survivor and co-host of the “Today Show,” will also be featured in a print ad campaign this month that will give supporters the chance to create their own ads about “finishing the fight.”

“During the past 100 years, the American Cancer Society has refused to be silent about ending cancer, and our efforts have helped change the course of the disease in the U.S. and across the world,” said Andrew S. Goldsmith, vice president of brand and creative strategy at the American Cancer Society. “This campaign is designed to celebrate the progress we’ve made, but recognize that there is still more work to be done. A century ago, the Society began the fight of a lifetime, now it’s time to join together and finish the fight.”

The American Cancer Society will turn 100 years old on May 22, and as a birthday wish, it is encouraging people to get involved in their local communities by participating in Relay for Life, Making Strides for Breast Cancer walk, or enrolling in Cancer Prevention Study-3 to help find healthier ways to beat cancer.

Watch the Josh Groban and Mary J. Blige ads below:

Kate Nash on girl power and her trip to Ghana with Plan International

Kate Nash in Ghana

By Laura Ferreiro

Kate Nash has never been afraid to speak her mind. The talented singer’s biting lyrics address themes of complex relationships and standing up for one’s beliefs with great wit and just the right amount of sass.

She’s been touring the world in support of her new album, aptly titled “Girl Talk,” and has been amassing fans wherever she goes. But what’s really cool about Nash? She puts her money where her mouth is. She recently signed on to become a global ambassador for Plan International’s Because I Am a Girl  campaign that gives girls throughout the world access to the most basic of human rights: clean water, food, health care, education and protection from violence and exploitation.

Music for Good caught up with Nash shortly after her trip to Ghana with Because I Am A Girl to visit primary and secondary schools in the area and see their programs in the West African country first-hand. Nash said it was an unforgettable, life-changing experience. “We drove hours to a village where we met the chief and elders to visit the schools,” Nash recalls. “I’ve never seen anything like that in my life — it was awesome! There were loads of dancing and screaming kids that were vibrant and fun.”

Nash explained that the girls at the school were being educated about safe hygiene practices and how to prevent bullying and sexual assault. “There are way less opportunities for girls there — sexism is so prevalent in their society,” she says. “The world would be a much better place if these girls were fulfilling their full potential.”

Nash discovered that many girls there had to walk for hours to collect water instead of going to school – something many of us take for granted – and she wanted to do whatever she could to help them get a solid education and break the cycle of poverty that many of them face.

But it wasn’t all work and no play. Nash also joined in with the girls to sing the Aretha Franklin/Eurythmics classic tune “Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves,” and engaged in plenty of dancing and playing.

This isn’t the first time Nash has been involved in empowering girls. She also started an after-school club for girls in London, her home town. “Me and my friends visited schools and teenage girls and worked with them on self-esteem sessions,” she says. “We did lyric-writing sessions, and practiced guitar, bass and drums. At the end of the year we did a tour and they performed in front of 800 people and they were really empowered.”

Check out this video for highlights from Nash’s visit to Ghana:

Click here to join with Because I Am a Girl and global ambassador Kate Nash to help change the future of girls worldwide.

Join forces with artists around the world to lip sync for a greener planet

Tennessee Thomas and Alexa Chung

In 1968, British rock group The Kinks released the album, “The Village Green Preservation Society,” inspired by quaint “village greens” where country folk gathered for recreation and relaxation. Now, 45 years later, the Rainforest Alliance is teaming up with several musicians, actors, artists and anyone who wants to go green on Earth Day to give the album’s title track a green face-lift and encourage people to work together to make our planet healthier.

To raise awareness of sustainability and inspire people to act every day to create a greener, more sustainable world, the Rainforest Alliance is hosting a viral singalong to the Kinks’ song, “The Village Green Preservation Society” in preparation for Earth Day on April 22.

The Rainforest Alliance is a global non-profit that works to preserve wildlife and forests. Thanks to their efforts, more than 160 million acres of forests have been preserved for future generations.

Families, friends, and pets alike are encouraged to don their greenest outfits and record themselves lip-syncing to The Kinks’ song. You can also get into the act by filming yourself doing “sustainable actions.”

The idea behind the Earth Day PSA is to help people realize that small steps taken everyday will make a big improvements in the world. As musician Tennessee Thomas put it, “Our goal is to inspire people all over the world to become a part of The Village Green Preservation Society…to act every day to create a greener, more sustainable world…to be an integral member of a movement…a preservation society…that, in small ways, is making great strides to protect our future, our children’s future and our shared mother — Mother Earth!”

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The Replacements reunite to release “Songs for Slim” EP benefiting guitarist Slim Dunlap

The Replacements

By Sarah Weiss

Slim Dunlap, former guitarist for The Replacements, needs your help. The Replacements are noted for their contributions to alternative rock, releasing several influential and critically acclaimed albums in the 1980s. They broke up in 1991, but now the band is coming together after more than two decades to help their friend Slim.

On February 19, 2012 Slim was hospitalized for nine months due to a stroke that left him paralyzed, and he will require long-term medical care that his insurance will not be able to cover.

In response, Slim’s friends and family created “Songs for Slim”,  an ongoing fundraiser in which various artists cover his songs on limited-edition vinyl records that are being publicly auctioned off.

The two previous auctions raised more than $115,000 for Slim’s medical care, and the third round of auctions ended on March 22. The latest release featured legendary songstress Lucinda Williams performing Slim’s infamous song, “Partners in Crime,” along with Tommy Keene, and R. Walt Vincent’s rendition of “Nowhere’s Near.” Only 100 vinyls were released for the auction in March.

The “Songs for Slim” LP can be purchased via iTunes or Amazon, and is selling tremendously well. The LP received great reviews from Rolling Stone and Uncut. On April 16, the commercial vinyl will be available through various retailers.

Next month, a Record Store Day release highlighting Curtiss A and the Minus 5 will honor Slim with their release of his notable single, “Rockin Here Tonight.” This special album release will be sold exclusively at the commercial level, with auctions resuming in May.

To support Slim, visit the Songs for Slim online store to purchase apparel and other specialty items.

Check out The Replacements’ video for “Achin’ To Be”:

 

 

Magic combines fashion, music and great causes

By Laura Ferreiro

Every year, the biggest names in fashion, footwear and accessories descend on Las Vegas for MAGIC Market Week to show off their fall collections. While fashion weeks in New York and London attract most of the attention, MAGIC flies further under the radar, but the business that happens here determines what fashions you’ll see in shops and hitting the streets the rest of the year.

This year, Magic launched MVMNT to focus the fashion and interests of modern youth culture. As you might have guessed, music-inspired fashion played a prominent role in many cutting-edge clothing lines including John Varvatos and WeSC.

There were also several forward-thinking brands that combined fashion and philanthropy, using sales proceeds to support some great causes.

United by Blue is an “ocean-friendly” apparel company that, for every product sold, removes a pound of trash from oceans and waterways. Selling everything from organic bicycle bags to unique jewelry, they take their responsibility to preserving the environment very seriously, and encourage their customers to do the same.

C4 Belts, which makes simple, stylish belts in every color of the rainbow, asks its customers to choose their belt color and choose their cause. For every belt purchased, C4 will donate to one of four causes that rotate throughout the year. Currently, you can support the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Human Rights Campaign, Project Kaisei or Kiva while keeping your pants up.

FROCK Los Angeles is fair-trade company that makes sexy, form-fitting women’s fashions using nothing but eco and certified organic fabric and vegetable dyes. Owner/creator Victoria Tik is committed to social responsibility, and uses only domestic fabric suppliers, US factories that pay fair wages, and sources organic fabrics for all her clothing. Not to mention her designs are super sexy!

Love Heals is a socially conscious jewelry company that started from humble beginnings on an organic communal farm in Ojai, CA. The Lovelaces – the mother, son and daughter team behind the brand – create jewelry designed to give back to the planet. For each design sold, they promise to plant 10 trees in Ethiopia. They just celebrated the planting of their 1 millionth tree in December, and indie rock duo Tegan and Sara counts themselves among the brand’s fans!

Usher, David Guetta, Coldplay, Nelly Furtado and more go dark to support Earth Hour

David Guetta and Usher

The world is about to go dark. Earth Hour is a global environmental initiative in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)  that encourages businesses, governments and communities to turn their lights off for one hour on March 23 at 8:30 p.m. Flipping the switch is a symbolic gesture of one’s commitment to sustain the environment.

Popular musicians from around the world are taking action and getting involved. They are wielding the uniting power of music to inspire people with Earth Hour — even after this year’s Earth Hour has passed.

David Guetta and Usher solidified their commitment to Earth Hour when their single, “Without You,” became the anthem for the official Earth Hour 2013 video.

Other artists including Coldplay, Nelly Furtado and The Temper Trap are also vehement advocates for the cause and actively spread awareness for Earth Hour.

Andy Ridley, CEO of Earth Hour, says, “The big difference from when we started in 2007 and now, is that the extreme effects on our environment are being seen in the daily lives of people all over the world. Musicians help us bring a far greater audience to the table to engage in the challenges that face our planet.”

Global artists have since joined in the mix and mobilized their fan bases in creative and engaging ways. UK pop band, McFly, wore panda “onesies” (a symbol of the WWF) and filmed their own version of the “Harlem Shake” to promote Earth Hour.

Swedish hip-hop artist Lazee is participating in the “I Will If You Will” campaign — a movement that commits individuals to taking positive action for the environment beyond Earth Hour. Lazee has promised to wear pink shoes, socks up to his knees, and pants up to his armpits for 24 hours if his colleagues give up their extravagant limos, cars, and taxis for public transportation for a month. Click here to join in and submit your “I Will If You Will” promise on YouTube.

Ridley says that the movement has always been about street party–not street protest. This philosophy helped Earth Hour grow from one city participating in 2007 to thousands of cities in 152 counties across every continent involving hundreds of millions of people.

Harmonize with your favorite musicians by remembering to go dark on March 23.

Perez Hilton’s SXSW bash with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Paloma Faith supports music education and GLTB students

By Allison Rivers

For the sixth year in a row, Perez Hilton will be at SXSW hosting his annual “One Night in Austin” bash – a music showcase with artists curated by the blogger himself. The event will be held Saturday, March 16 and features Charli XCX, Paloma Faith, Stooshe, Brooke Candy, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis performing at the Austin Music Hall.

More than just an awesome show, the event will also benefit the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. Founded in 1990, GLSEN is dedicated to making school communities a safe place for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. The organization pairs with students, teachers, and policy makers to shine a light on the bullying and harassment problem many LGBT students face everyday and how to make schools a place that values and respects everyone who walks through their doors. One of their main events is the student-led Day of Silence, which will take place on April 19.

The VH1 Save the Music Foundation began in 1997 and is dedicated to restoring music education in America’s public schools, and raising awareness of the importance of music  education in children’s lives. Research has shown cause and effect relationships with music education and crucial skills like critical thinking and the ability to work as part of a team. Kids are also more invested in their learning and less likely to drop out of school if music is a part of their education. Since its inception, the organization has donated $49.5 million of musical instruments to schools all over the country, encouraged the existence and growth of music programs in elementary and middle schools, and touched the lives of more than 2 million children.

Hilton’s “One Night…” has previously included such diverse artists as Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Florence + the Machine, Snoop Dogg, and Mary J. Blige, and this year is no different. “I’m thrilled and honored to be returning to SXSW for my 6th Annual “One Night In Austin”!” said Hilton. “We are doing it bigger and better than ever before – and hopefully raising a lot of money for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and GLSEN. Hope to see you there!”

Doors to the Austin Music Hall open at 4:30pm on March 16, and performances run from 6pm – 2am. Go for the great causes, stay for the great music!

Amy Winehouse Foundation to hold first U.S. gala

By Sarah Weiss

Bluesy British singer Amy Winehouse catapulted to the top of the charts with her 2006 sophomore album, “Back to Black.” It swept the Grammys, earning her five awards–tying the record for most wins for a female artist in a single night. Her influence on soul music and female musicians was indelible. However, as Winehouse’s career skyrocketed, her struggles with drugs and alcohol addiction became more apparent. The songstress was found dead in her London home from alcohol poisoning in July 2011. She was 27.

Throughout her life, Winehouse donated time and money to charities that helped children and the homeless. The Amy Winehouse Foundation  (AWF) has since been established to honor her memory and continue her passion for helping children and others in need. On March 21, the Foundation will hold its first Inspiration Awards & Gala at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

Says Mitch Winehouse, Amy’s father, “There’s another part to her character and persona very few people knew about, and that was her gentleness and warm heartedness.”

The AWF will honor singer Tony Bennett with the Inspiration Award for Lifetime Achievement. Bennett recorded the single, “Body and Soul,” with Winehouse shortly before her passing. Other honorees include Nas, Elhadj “Moe” Kane, and SaLaAM ReMi, who were inspirations to Winehouse and collaborated with her musically.

Winehouse’s posthumous album, “Lioness: Hidden Treasures,” was produced by SaLaAM ReMi and contains the single she recorded with Bennett as well as a featured duet with Nas called “Like Smoke.” For every “Lioness” album purchased, $1.50 will be donated to the AWF. Click here to get the album.

The black tie, red-carpet event will feature performances by Grammy-winning artists incluing Jennifer Hudson and Wyclef Jean, with more celebrities and musical guests performances to be announced.

The AWF supplies funding to music-education programs as well as drug rehabilitation and prevention tools to those in need. In the U.S. the AWF has donated thousands of dollars to the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO)  and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. All money raised from this year’s inaugural Inspiration Awards & Gala will support stateside programs.

The Civil Wars & T Bone Burnett team up to fight hunger on soundtrack for “A Place At The Table”

By Hilary Gridley

How can musicians help the 49 million Americans who don’t know where their next meal is coming from? By teaming up with veteran documentary filmmakers, celebrity chefs, and poverty experts to give a voice to the 30% of American families for whom food insecurity is a real and constant threat.

Grammy award-winning folk artists The Civil Wars and Oscar-winning songwriter, producer and recording artist T Bone Burnett joined together to soundtrack “A Place At The Table,” a new full-length documentary that shines a light on the US hunger crisis. In addition to providing music for the film, the artists will donate all proceeds from album sales to The Participant Foundation, which uses storytelling to entertain audiences while inviting them to make a difference. Through its digital division, TakePart, the foundation helps shape films and documentaries with specific social action campaigns designed to give a voice to issues that resonate in the films.

The Civil Wars

The Civil Wars’ Joy Williams spoke enthusiastically about her role in the film. “Being a part of ‘A Place At The Table’ opened my eyes to an epidemic that is happening in our country right now—underneath many of our noses,” she noted. “It’s happening to our neighbors, to our friends, to children. It’s a silent battle that can be won, if we as a nation set our minds to ending it.”

Her bandmate, John Paul White, felt personally connected to the project, saying the issue “hit home extremely hard for me; as a very young husband and father, I was a part of the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and food stamps program. I don’t like to dwell much on the past, but I hate to think where I would be without those programs.”

They’re not alone in their dedication to the cause. “A Place At The Table” features such diverse stars as Jeff Bridges and Tom Colicchio as well as economist/activist Raj Patel and real Americans dealing with food insecurity.

Download the film and soundtrack here via iTunes, and visit TakePart to learn what you can do about the hunger crisis in America.

Check out the trailer for “A Place At The Table”

 

Ke$ha receives Humane Society’s highest honor for her animal advocacy work

Ke$ha

By Sarah Weiss

If you’ve ever spent more than 10 minutes listening to the radio, chances are you’ve bounced in your car to one of Ke$ha’s infectious pop tunes. Her 2010 debut album, “Animal,” sold 2.5 million copies, and Ke$ha was declared Billboard’s Hot 100 Artist after the debut of her first single, “TiKToK.”

However, on Saturday March 23, Ke$ha will receive an award not for her musical talents, but for her animal advocacy. The Humane Society of the United States will honor Ke$ha as the recipient of the prestigious Wyler Award at the Genesis Awards Benefit Gala, held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA.

As the Humane Society’s first Global Ambassador for animals, Ke$ha has mobilized her incredible fan base and social media following to get involved with animal advocacy. On Ke$ha’s official website, she spotlights a different animal issue each month. Currently, Ke$ha is promoting “World Spay Day,” which supports spay/neuter as a 100% effective method of birth control for cats and dogs.

“It means so much to me to be recognized by The Humane Society of the United States because advocating for animals is second nature to me,” said Ke$ha. “My affinity with animals and the natural world inspires me and my music. I don’t understand how anyone can justify abusing or exploiting animals, and as long as it continues, I intend to keep talking about it.”

Ke$ha continues to spread awareness about street dogs, the trophy hunting of endangered lions, shark-finning, Canada’s commercial seal slaughter, dog fighting, and cruelty-free cosmetics, in conjunction with the monthly causes she presents on her website.

Grab your tickets to the Genesis Awards Benefit Gala here. All the event’s profits directly benefit Pets for Life, Chimps Deserve Better and Farm Animal Protection. You can also sign a petition to stop shark finning here and to end puppy mills here.