Luminaries lend support to cancer research
One of the most recent additions to these fundraisers is a series of benefit concerts called Lounge 4 Life. Matchbox Twenty and its Grammy-winning frontman Rob Thomas headlined radio station Star 98.7’s third annual Lounge 4 Life, held in Los Angeles in October. A portion of the proceeds, as well as proceeds from an online memorabilia auction, benefited breast cancer research and treatment programs at City of Hope.
Artists who have performed at Lounge 4 Life concerts include Melissa Etheridge, INXS, the Goo Goo Dolls, Teddy Geiger, Ray LaMontagne, Jewel and Train. The concerts have raised more than $100,000.
Another of the industry’s high-profile annual events is Songs of Hope, a cocktail party hosted at the home of a celebrity. Past hosts include Lionel Richie, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Glen Ballard. The invitation-only gathering, attended by top executives from all major and independent music-publishing companies, features a silent auction of music industry memorabilia. Songs of Hope has raised more than $600,000 since it began six years ago.
Country music contributes, too. Each summer for the past 17 years, the Celebrity Softball Challenge has drawn many top country music stars such as Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill to Nashville to generate cancer-fighting dollars. Since its inception, the fundraiser has elicited more than $1.5 million.
“We are excited to be developing new relationships in the music industry, and look forward to building upon the successes of the past year,” said Britta Bucholz, senior director of the Music and Entertainment Industry group. “Our celebrity relationships will be instrumental as we continue to build awareness and fundraise for City of Hope.”