andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

Popular artists from across the musical spectrum are coming together for a special two-disc benefit album for victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita. The album, titled Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now, will be released in mid-November and will feature big names like Coldplay, Louis Armstrong, John Mayer, and Bonnie Raitt.

“Flooded streets, shattered lives, broken hearts, yet through it all, the music never dies,” said Harry Connick, Jr. “This CD helps us heal a place that has given so much music to the world.”

Fans can look forward to hearing stirring live renditions of their favourite songs, like Coldplay?s ?Fix You? and Elton John?s ?I?m Still Standing,? and even a previously unreleased tune from Barbra Streisand, ?I Believe.? Several artists, including Ringo Starr, Steven Tyler, Ozzy Osbourne, Andrea Bocelli, and Gwen Stefani have also come together to perform the Eric Clapton classic, ?Tears in Heaven,? produced by Sharon Osbourne.

But what most listeners will be looking for will undoubtedly be the title track, ?Come Together Now,? which brings together the voices of 27 of today?s biggest stars. Produced in part by Sharon Stone, the song includes The Game, Nick Carter, Gavin DeGraw, Celine Dion, Wyclef Jean, Patti LaBelle, John Legend, and Joss Stone, just to name a few.

All proceeds from the CD, which will retail for $20, will go to benefit the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and the MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund.

The track listing for the album is tentatively listed as follows:

Gloria Estefan ? “Coming Out of the Dark/Always Tomorrow”
James Brown ? “Try Me”
Norah Jones/Wyclef Jean ? “Any Other Day”
John Fogerty ? “Born On The Bayou”
Barbra Streisand ? ?I Believe”
Clint Black ? “The Great Mississippi Flood”
Dave Matthews Band featuring Robert Randolph ? “Louisiana Bayou”
Earth, Wind and Fire ? “Devotion”
Kirk Whalum/Coolio ? “When the Saints Go Marching In”
John Mayer/Aaron Neville ? “Heart So Heavy”
Harry Connick Jr. ? “City Beneath The Sea”
Louis Armstrong ? “Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans”
Various Artists ? “Come Together Now”
Fats Domino ? “Walking To New Orleans”
Coldplay ? “Fix You”
Lenny Kravitz ? ?Believe”
Neville Brothers ? “Brothers”
Bonnie Raitt ? ?I Will Not Be Broken”
Various Artists ? “Tears In Heaven”
Brian Wilson ? “Love and Mercy”
Michael McDonald, Wynonna Judd & Eric Benet ? “Heart of America”
Elton John ? “I’m Still Standing”
Sting ? “Moon Over Bourbon Street”

“American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood has decided to do her part about the loss the United States has suffered due to Hurricane Katerina.

Along with runner-up Bo Bice and the other eight final contestants, all 10 decided to close their summer concert tour making for a good cause.

“It’s a very happy thing that we’re doing to help people,” Underwood said. “When (executive producer) Simon Fuller suggested the idea of putting on a special charity concert to help those in need, I and all the Idols on tour were happy to help.”

The American Red Cross will benefit from this Sunday’s sold-out crowd of 6,000 at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Cost $35- $45 a seat, the event looks to pull in over $210,000.

Underwood also said she would donate the revenues from her merchandise sales at the benefit concert to the Humane Society of the United States to help pets stranded in the hurricane region.

Giving up their time, effort and money makes these a group of ?idols? we can all look up to.

Country music’s biggest stars will stage a special concert at the Grand Ole Opry House as the entertainment industry continues to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

“Country Reaches Out: An Opry Benefit for the American Red Cross” will be broadcast live and commercial free on Sept. 27 at 9 p.m. EST on the Great American Country (GAC) network. Simulcasts can be seen on the DIY and Fine Living networks and heard on the Nashville radio station WSM, Sirius Satellite Radio and at www.opry.com.

Performers will urge viewers to make contributions to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which will help those caught in Hurricane Katrina’s wake throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Profits from the show’s ticket sales will also go to the Red Cross.

“Country music, in particular, is a powerful and unifying force that inspires individuals to action and initiates the process of healing in times of personal tragedy, or national crisis,” said Ed Hardy, president of Great American Country. “It is our hope that the national television audience tuning in for the simulcast of this special Opry event on GAC, DIY and Fine Living will be moved to action in support of hurricane relief.”

Some of the biggest talents in country will appear on the benefit show including Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Keith Urban, Craig Morgan, Julie Roberts and Billy Currington. Additional country artists are expected to sign on before the concert.

“Without fail, country music and its fans show compassion and support for those in need,” said Colin Reed, chairman and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment, the Opry’s parent company. “The Opry is the heart and home of country music, and the Opry family, its employees and artists alike, wants to do everything it can to make sure country’s heart is extended to our neighbors who have suffered such unspeakable losses this week.”

Additionally, the Grand Ole Opry and GAC are planning to host an online auction of country music memorabilia at opry.com and gactv.com. GAC is also producing a series of public service announcements featuring artists and network personalities pleading for donations to the hurricane relief effort.