Inaugural Event to Raise Money for Addiction Recovery and Financial Assistance Programs for Musicians
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 21, 2005) – The inaugural MusiCares® MAP Fund benefit concert, honoring Dave Navarro and Goldenvoice (in memory of Rick Van Santen), will be held on Friday, May 20, at The Music Box @ Fonda in Hollywood, it was announced today by the MusiCares Foundation. Tom Arnold will be the master of ceremonies with special performances by Navarro, The Panic Channel, Jerry Cantrell, Chris Wyse and Stephen Perkins. AEG, AEG/Live and Goldenvoice will play a significant role in the event by overseeing the production elements of the concert and underwriting the cost of the evening's Tribute Journal. All proceeds will benefit the MusiCares MAP Fund, which provides members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment regardless of their financial situation.
In support of this event, Fuse, the nation's only all-music, viewer-influenced television network, has created a one-of-a-kind online auction to be featured on eBay and to benefit MusiCares. Committed to helping members of the music community, Fuse has approached graphic artists, including Leia Bell, Michael Buchmiller, James Rheem Davis, Lindsey Kuhn and Printmafia, (who specialize in gig posters, album covers and CD artwork) to customize posters featuring Fuse's infamous logo, "Hairy Man." Sure to be a collector's item, several of these unique pieces of art will be unveiled at the MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert before being auctioned off on eBay (www.ebay.com/fusetv) May 23 through June 2.
"This is going to be an extraordinary and unique evening as we pay tribute to our honorees for their tireless commitment and support to help musicians in need," said MusiCares and Recording Academy® President Neil Portnow. "We're proud to continue the tradition of the annual MAP Dinner by holding this inaugural concert to raise awareness and financial support for this important cause."
Navarro will be honored as the recipient of the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his dedication and support of the MusiCares MAP Fund and his devotion to helping other addicts with their addiction and recovery process. In memory of Rick Van Santen, Goldenvoice will be the first recipient of the MusiCares Heart Award for its unconditional friendship and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization.
About Dave Navarro
With his six-string skills best described as a merging of heavy metal, psychedelia and modern rock, Dave Navarro is one of alt-rock's first true guitar heroes and has played with such bands as Jane's Addiction and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Navarro was one of the first guitarists to shy away from confining his playing to one style, something that would be commonplace in the '90s but was unheard of in the '80s.
Navarro has lent his guitar stylings to various projects and has played with a host of artists throughout his career including Ron Wood, Steven Tyler, Jerry Cantrell, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, Usher, and Michael Jackson, to name a few. Navarro recently formed The Panic Channel, which is set to release new music this year. Band members include Stephen Perkins, Chris Chaney and new singer Steve Isaacs.
About Goldenvoice
Starting out as a small punk rock promoter in the late 1980s, Goldenvoice quickly grew to be the dominant alternative promoter in Southern California, putting shows into The Palladium, The Hollywood Palace, The El Rey Theater, and recently, The Music Box @ Fonda. Strong artist and industry relationships led to promoting artists such as Bright Eyes, Interpol, Green Day, Beastie Boys, and others. Goldenvoice is also responsible for organizing the highly respected and successful Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which is now in its sixth year.
About Rick Van Santen
As co-president of Goldenvoice, Rick helped usher punk rock from the fringes of the music scene to a much wider audience. "Rick's specialty was knowing every single band," said Goldenvoice President Paul Tollett. "I think Rick's biggest accomplishment in life, what fully stands out, is his friendships. He stayed in touch with every person. You couldn't just do business with Rick, you had to become part of his friends network."
About Fuse
Fuse, a network of Cablevision Systems Corporation, features music videos, exclusive artist interviews, live concerts and specials – all rooted in the music experience. Fuse reflects the rapidly changing interests and attitudes of its 12 to 34 year-old audience by uniting the media platforms that are at the center of their communication and entertainment such as TV, online, and interactive games. Fuse also incorporates their opinions and suggestions into its on-air and online programming. More information about Fuse is available at www.fuse.tv.
About MusiCares
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.
As a result of acquiring MAP last September, MusiCares developed the MAP Fund as a pool of resources set aside specifically to address addiction recovery and sober living needs. Named for the Musicians Assistance Program and founded by longtime musician and addiction recovery activist Buddy Arnold, the MusiCares MAP Fund represents the joint goal of MAP and MusiCares to provide members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment regardless of their financial circumstances.
"MusiCares for Music People."