More musicians jump to Haiti’s aid with new projects

Since the ‘Hope For Haiti Now' telethon, January 22, and its subsequent No. 1 album of all-star performances, several more efforts got underway with high-profile musical artists inspired to assist the Haiti earthquake victims. The continued interest underscores the ongoing need to answer the country's needs.

Here are current and upcoming recording projects:

"Everybody Hurts"
Music impresario Simon Cowell organized an all-star rendition of the 1993 R.E.M. song "Everybody Hurts" in an effort to raise funds for the Haiti earthquake relief. Released to UK radio this week, the single can be downloaded on February 7 with the CD available the next day.
The 20 participating performers included Susan Boyle, Robbie Williams, Michael Bublé, Rod Stewart, Leona Lewis, Jon Bon Jovi, James Blunt, Mariah Carey, and Kylie Minogue, plus more. Funds will be split between the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and the Sun newspaper's Helping Haiti campaign.
Hear it at www.hmv.com, www.play.com and www.amazon.co.uk

"We Are the World"
Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie gathered a supergroup of more than 70 singers the day after the Grammy Awards to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Richie's "We Are the World," a song written with Michael Jackson in 1985 for African famine relief. The 2010 update will benefit Haiti earthquake relief.
Instead of Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper and Bob Dylan, this version included Usher, John Legend and Pink. The diverse talents ranged from Barbra Streisand to Kanye West, Celine Dion to Snoop Dogg, the Jonas Brothers to the Beach Boys, Miley Cyrus and Tony Bennett, and actors Jeff Bridges and Vince Vaughn.
The video, by Oscar-winning Crash director Paul Haggis, will debut February 12 during the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

"Bridge Over Troubled Water"
The Grammy tribute with soulful Mary J. Blige and tenor Andrea Bocelli performing "Bridge Over Troubled Water," by Simon and Garfunkel, at the Grammy Awards telecast was another effort to raise funds for Red Cross efforts in Haiti. The song and video are available at: iTunes.com/Target

'"SOS Saving Ourselves - Help for Haiti"
On February 5, another benefit event will be telecast from Miami's American Airlines Arena on BET (Black Entertainment Television), featuring performances by Ne-Yo, Justin Bieber, Keri Hilson, Chris Brown, Akon, Ludacris, Nas, Damian Marley, Busta Rhymes, India.Arie, Robin Thicke and more.
Hosted by Queen Latifah, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Pharrell, appearances include Missy Elliott, Gloria Estefan, Pete Wentz, and The Dream. In addition to BET, the show airs on MTV, VH1, and TNH in Haiti at 8 pm ET/PT. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. The show also streams live on www.bet.com
Proceeds benefit Yele Haiti, CARE, Project MediShare, and Children's Safe Drinking Water.

"Hope for Haiti Now"
MTV and George Clooney's telethon on January 22 has raised more than $66 million. Featuring Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Coldplay, Bono, Rihanna and Jay-Z, among the 21 all-star performances. The ‘Hope for Haiti Now" charity album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard.

RC