American Red Cross Disaster Relief Concert

[kyhomeg]

08.31.05 TIM MCGRAW TO HEADLINE NBC CONCERT IN SUPPORT OF HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMS
“A Concert for Hurricane Relief” Friday, Sept 2 on NBC, MSNBC & CNBC


For the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund


NASHVILLE – (August 31, 2005)- Louisiana native, 4-year American Red Cross celebrity cabinet board member and the National Spokesperson for State Farm’s Neighbors Give Life national blood drive campaign Tim McGraw has agreed to help co-headline an hour-long music special that will air this Friday, Sept 2 on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC, 8p.m. ET. The telethon will be broadcast entirely from the New York studios of NBC and will also feature Harry Connick, Jr. and Wynton Marsalis with an appearance by Leonardo DiCaprio, among others.

“I am heartbroken by the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in my home state. Like so many Americans I am watching the news reports with great sadness. But it’s at times like these that each of us must work together to provide lifesaving aid to those in terrible need. I sincerely encourage everyone to support the American Red Cross, government efforts and others in the non-profit community with this historically unprecedented undertaking,” says McGraw.

All viewers will be asked to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund in support of hurricane relief through its website and donation hotline, RedCross.org or 1-800-HELP NOW.

[Deleted]

I know others won't agree with me, but I just think these celebrity telethons are getting ridiculous.

After every[/I] disaster these days, there's a new telethon that's filled with multi-millionaires asking "regular" people (those without millions of dollars) to donate.

There was the September 11 telethon, which turned into a press nightmare afterward. There was the Tsunami telethon that did bad in the ratings. There was the Live 8 concerts, which more people watched to see performances rather than be made "aware" of the horrible health crisis it was said to be for. Not to mention the Gift Baskets that the stars got had Thousands of dollars of stuff in them. (How do gift bags of thousands of dollars worth of stuff help make people "aware" of a crisis?)

It's out of hand.  It's nothing but a big PR event for most of the celebrities involved.

It's very nice that celebrities "come together" to help, but it would mean more if the celebrities just donated some of their multi-millions to the cause(s) instead of telling "regular" people to donate.


End of rant.

[bigbluenote]

Wow! I COULD NOT have said that any better myself. It IS ridiculous and shouldn't happen. It's a cheap way to boost an artist's popularity/sales.

[musicfan_84]

Why is it bad to raise money and boost an artist at the same time? Seems like win-win to me... especially for such a great cause.

[kyhomeg]

Anybody that knows anything at all about Tim Mcgraw knows he has a huge heart and goes out of his way in many ways to help.

Not only is Tim from this state, his dear friend Brett Favre 's family lost their home.

Tim has shown his support to his state  for 10 years straight NOW. How many artist do that? Tim just doesn't write a check, he goes there and gives his time.  He has went back to his  hometown and done a softball game and concert for 10 years now, that 100% went to his home city for the chidren.

Not only does it help the little league system,(something that Tim believes in since it was such a important help to him growing up). They have a separate  field for all age groups that would rival even the minors and is supported 100% by the money raised at his Swampstock. This is something not ONLY Tim attends, his whole family and Faith's family attends and they are 100 % involved in all of it.

This Swampstock has not only completely funded the little league system, it takes care of many of the low income disadvantage needs of the children, it has been responsible in providing  supplies for the schools and is now building a state of the art libray for the town. It has given scholarships  to students from the high school from his hometown for many years. That is giving back to his HOMETOWN and STATE in a real way, and giving back WITH HIS TIME. .

I have attended his Swampstock for the last 4 years and fans of Tim attend this event from all over the US and even Canada. One minute in that city, and it is so obivious how much the people in that area,(it is a very, very small town) love and respect Tim.

Heck with Tim's first major TV special when he could of gone anywhere, he chosed to film it at his hometown of Start. Tim is VERY PROUD of where he is from and has NOT forgotten and if he is involved with this I am 100% sure it is for the right reasons, and I HIGHLY doubt this is all he does for his beloved home state. I am 100% sure he will do more.

Tim for the last 6 years in May has done a benefit concert in Gulfport, Ms(a town destroyed by the hurricane) that has went to disadvantage kids in MS. This is something that Brett Favre is involved with.

As for increase in popularity that don't make sense in regards to Tim, let's see he is HUGE, so that logical don't make sense now does it.

Tim has shown in many ways to give of himself, and time to help people and NO ONE can deny that. Let's see he has a concert three days in a row in Canada, last one on the first, then a concert on the 3rd so I'm sure its not easy to fit this end in between 5 shows.

BTW he has been involved with the Red Cross for 4 years. Two years in a row a percentage of his tickets sales at his concert went to the Red Cross and in 2003 with his tour he did these Bread and Water shows at small clubs (250-400 capacity) where the cover charge went to the Red Cross and doanations.

He is involved in the blood campagin this year.  Also you can BET your bottom dollar that Tim is giivng big time of his own money to this effort and that you can be 100% sure of.

[bigbluenote]

If Tim is SO HUGE, explain this: There are two stations here where I am. One station is playing his latest song in light rotation. The other station has never played it.

So, I guess he's not HUGE everywhere, huh?

[Deleted]

ben1120 said:

Why is it bad to raise money and boost an artist at the same time? Seems like win-win to me... especially for such a great cause.

Why is it bad to raise money and use a charity telethon to boost an artist?

Well, for one thing, it's just completely wrong. Morally. Ethically. It's just wrong.

There are people who are missing, and might not ever be found, and there are those who are homeless and those who are dead. All because of Katrina. But it's a "win-win situation" because Tim, and likely many others, will have the opportunity to promote their projects?

"Win-win situation"?

It's not "win-win" when you've got celebrities who make $ 30 million, per movie, and hundreds of Millions per year asking "regular" people to donate money.

That's pretty bad.

After every disaster you've suddenly got celebrities coming out of the woodwork to "help." Of course a lot of them just so happen to have movies, cds and television shows to promote.

If every one of those celebrities just stayed at home and signed over a check for at least $ 1 million each, just imagine how much money could be raised.

People died as a result of all of the tragedies the telethons and concerts were supposedly put together to benefit or help.

Am I the only one that sees something wrong with using a tragedy to promote a cd, movie or tv show?


End of rant # 2.

[dcowboy77]

bigbluenote said:

If Tim is SO HUGE, explain this: There are two stations here where I am. One station is playing his latest song in light rotation. The other station has never played it.

So, I guess he's not HUGE everywhere, huh?

what city are the stations in that u get ?

[kyhomeg]

bigbluenote said:

If Tim is SO HUGE, explain this: There are two stations here where I am. One station is playing his latest song in light rotation. The other station has never played it.

So, I guess he's not HUGE everywhere, huh?

Do you know how you sound with that comment.

Tim is not huge, you've got to be kidding right. Let's see, he sells out his concert tour before he even hits the road, He is going to have his third major TV special in FEB.  They don't give them specials to just anybody. He is going to be in his 3rd film that he has a STARRING role in, that will be released in FEB. He sold 766,000 copies of his last album in the first week last year, and that was he highest first week sales of the year in country music and 4th overall in all of music.

BTW the only country artist that have sold more in one week is Shania, Dixie Chicks and Garth. NO ONE ELSE.

He has sold 3.5 million of that album in just one year. No I guess you are right he is not huge(LOL, LOL).

[Deleted]

Something that I need to say: My points in both posts pertain to all participants in the telethons and concerts mentioned. My points were not solely about Tim McGraw.

As much as Kyhomeg would like to think otherwise, how "huge" Tim McGraw is not relevant here and was not apart of my points.

Unfortunately, it seems I inadvertently encouraged another "TIMISGOD" battle.

[bigbluenote]

YO, KYHOMEG, READ! He ain't 'huge' around here. And I like it that way. I'm just commenting, it doesn't seem that he is 'huge' because I don't hear much from him around here (lately at least).

Thanks for calling me 'dumb', really appreciate it.

[kyhomeg]

Like I said Tim has proven what kind a person he is many, many times and he has proven his loyality to his home state for over a decade and his giving heart. First who's to say what Tim is giving out of his own pocket, you don't know that do you. Just because he doesn't feel the need to announce it to the world, doesn't mean he is not given big time. So you have NO WAY of knowing that do you UNLESS you have excess to his income tax returns every year to see what he is giving.

I remember a quote from Tim a few years ago, where he made the comment about the best thing about being successful is the ability to give to help people, and the secert is to giving is for the people not to know who is the one doing giving. That is the best feeling.

[bigbluenote]

dcowboy said:

bigbluenote said:

If Tim is SO HUGE, explain this: There are two stations here where I am. One station is playing his latest song in light rotation. The other station has never played it.

So, I guess he's not HUGE everywhere, huh?

what city are the stations in that u get ?

San Antonio.

KJ97 has it in light rotation. I only know this from looking at the weekly mediabase playlist numbers. I don't hear this song on the radio much at all, THANK GOD!

And Y100 doesn't play the song at all, THANK GOD.

[bigbluenote]

musicstfan said:

ben1120 said:

Why is it bad to raise money and boost an artist at the same time? Seems like win-win to me... especially for such a great cause.

Why is it bad to raise money and use a charity telethon to boost an artist?

Well, for one thing, it's just completely wrong.  Morally.  Ethically.  It's just wrong.

There are people who are missing, and might not ever be found, and there are those who are homeless and those who are dead.  All because of Katrina.  But it's a "win-win situation" because Tim, and likely many others, will have the opportunity to promote their projects?

"Win-win situation"?

It's not "win-win" when you've got celebrities who make $ 30 million, per movie, and hundreds of Millions per year asking "regular" people to donate money.

That's pretty bad.

After every disaster you've suddenly got celebrities coming out of the woodwork to "help."  Of course a lot of them just so happen to have movies, cds and television shows to promote.

If every one of those celebrities just stayed at home and signed over a check for at least $ 1 million each, just imagine how much money could be raised.

People died as a result of all of the tragedies the telethons and concerts were supposedly put together to benefit or help.

Am I the only one that sees something wrong with using a tragedy to promote a cd, movie or tv show?


End of rant # 2. 

No, you're not the only one. I agree with you 100%. As I said, it's a cheap attempt at gaining popularity, sales, and radio play (that last one just came to me). These dumb telethons are not needed. People can just donate where they want: It's all over the news and radio as to where to donate to. And you're right, these rich-beyond-belief stars need to donate themselves and/or just stay out of the cheap promotional crap.

[dcowboy77]

bigbluenote said:

dcowboy said:

what city are the stations in that u get ?

San Antonio.

KJ97 has it in light rotation. I only know this from looking at the weekly mediabase playlist numbers. I don't hear this song on the radio much at all, THANK GOD!

And Y100 doesn't play the song at all, THANK GOD.

wow...your other sa stations seem to play tim more than the country...live like you were dying is the #10 song of the year on ac KQXT-FM and over & over is #20 on pop KELZ-FM...go figure.

[bigbluenote]

dcowboy said:

bigbluenote said:

San Antonio.

KJ97 has it in light rotation. I only know this from looking at the weekly mediabase playlist numbers. I don't hear this song on the radio much at all, THANK GOD!

And Y100 doesn't play the song at all, THANK GOD.

wow...your other sa stations seem to play tim more than the country...live like you were dying is the #10 song of the year on ac KQXT-FM and over & over is #20 on pop KELZ-FM...go figure.

LMAO. Doesn't surprise me. I mean, really, is ANY of his recent music country?, I THINK NOT! Oh well, I don't listen to those two stations and I am so happy that I rarely hear his awful song.

EDIT: Typo. Very irritating they are.

[drock89]

CMT, MTV and VH1 have announced the first stage of an ongoing Hurricane Katrina relief campaign -- a multi-artist, multi-genre, multi-platform live performance special set to air across all three networks on Sept. 10. Gretchen Wilson and John

Mellencamp are among the artists scheduled to perform from locations in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Nashville.

The special will seek to raise much-needed funds for the American Red Cross and similar organizations as they continue their relief efforts. The campaign will also seek to activate the diverse audiences across CMT, MTV and VH1 to drive volunteerism, donations and general awareness.

"In the face of a tragedy of this scope, we simply have to do everything in our power to offer support, comfort and hope to all the people directly impacted by the hurricane," MTV Chair and CEO Judy McGrath said Wednesday (Aug. 31). "This is always the first and best instinct of all our millions of viewers and the artists we know so well. If we can offer a platform to contribute in some meaningful way, all of our MTV Networks brands will be there. Our goal is to join forces on every medium to get involved, to volunteer, to contribute in any way we can."

"There's been an outpouring of support and concern and a desire to help from the artist community, our audiences and our employees," said MTV Networks Music Group President Van Toffler. "We feel fortunate to be able to provide a forum to channel all of this energy and good will and to let the people in the affected states know that we're there for them. Many of the artists across our channels are from the affected areas and have a strong connection to the South. We are looking to activate every hip-hop, rock, country, R&B and pop music fan out there to get involved and help support the relief efforts."

The ongoing relief campaign will kick off with a live programming block featuring Wilson, Mellencamp, Ludacris, Green Day, Usher, Alicia Keys, the Dave Matthews Band, Rob Thomas, David Banner, Linkin Park's Chester Bennington and others. The special will be simulcast across all three networks, as well as MTV2, mtvU, VH1 Classic, plus MTV Overdrive and VSpot, the broadband video networks. Additional details will be announced shortly.

Starting immediately, all CMT, VH1 and MTV platforms will begin an awareness campaign to provide information to viewers on how to get involved and participate in the relief efforts. Viewers and users will be directed to Web sites and phone numbers where they can make donations of money, clothing, equipment and anything else that may help the affected areas.

Viacom, MTV Networks' parent company, is making a $1 million cash contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Effort and is also instituting a worldwide employee matching gift program for employee donations.

The American Red Cross is asking people to help by making an online contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW to donate, signing up with a local chapter to volunteer or making a blood donation.

www.cmt.com/news/articles/1508741/20050831/index.jhtml?headlines=true

[kyhomeg]

kyhomeg said:

Like I said Tim has proven what kind a person he is many, many times and he has proven his loyality to his home state for over a decade and his giving heart. First who's to say what Tim is giving out of his own pocket, you don't know that do you. Just because he doesn't feel the need to announce it to the world, doesn't mean he is not given big time. So you have NO WAY of knowing that do you UNLESS you have excess to his income tax returns every year to see what he is giving.

I remember a quote from Tim a few years ago, where he made the comment about the best thing about being successful is the ability to give to help people, and the secert is to giving is for the people not to know who is the one doing giving. That is the best feeling.

Read again my response to you bigbluenote, like I said just cause Tim doesn't announced to the world how much he gives doesn't mean he hasn't.

Tim has PROVEN for over 10 years hs loyality to his home state and home town in more ways than one. To see the outpouring of love, support and respect his home city has for their boy, SPEAKS VOLUMES.

Tim doesn't need to prove anything to anybody, He has proven his huge heart for many years. You are goIng to believe what YOU want, and who cares Tim has shown what a giving, kindhearted person he is many times over.

[kyhomeg]

Well bigbluenote lets see if you start attacking these other artist, or is it just Tim.

Tim doesn't even have anything being released  to promote in the near future at all. So what project of his is he promoting? He is not on a big tour, the tour he is on is already sold out. His album, TV special and movie don't come out to next year, long after this event. He doesn't have any big plans for this fall except to be at home. So WHAT IS HE PROMOTING, except maybe to SHOW support to his beloved state and to show support for his dear friend.

Lets see Gretchen is now involved lets see what she is promoting, what's that a new album in September.

[Deleted]

So far, 99% of the people signed up for the telethon have new projects coming out close to the date of the telethon.

Some of their projects are due to come out within days of the telethon.

That says everything right there. :(

This is exactly like the other telethons. Sad.

[jacksonfan]

musicstfan said:

I know others won't agree with me, but I just think these celebrity telethons are getting ridiculous.

After every

[/I] disaster these days, there's a new telethon that's filled with multi-millionaires asking "regular" people (those without millions of dollars) to donate.

There was the September 11 telethon, which turned into a press nightmare afterward.  There was the Tsunami telethon that did bad in the ratings.  There was the Live 8 concerts, which more people watched to see performances rather than be made "aware" of the horrible health crisis it was said to be for.  Not to mention the Gift Baskets that the stars got had Thousands of dollars of stuff in them.  (How do gift bags of thousands of dollars worth of stuff help make people "aware" of a crisis?)

It's out of hand.  It's nothing but a big PR event for most of the celebrities involved.

It's very nice that celebrities "come together" to help, but it would mean more if the celebrities just donated some of their multi-millions to the cause(s) instead of telling "regular" people to donate.


End of rant. [/quote]

I completely agree with you!

This is getting absolutely ridiculous!  I agree with helping those people that need the help - no question about that.  I donate money to the Red Cross all the time.  Big hearts my aunt fanny - big $$$$ is more like it! 

EDIT: Just so I don't become 'visible' again and get attacked for it - I'm not only referring to Tim - I'm referring to any and all of the stars who suddenly come out of the woodwork and jump on the bandwagon.

And as was pointed out - looks like most of those signed up have an agenda!

[Deleted]

jacksonfan said:

I completely agree with you!

This is getting absolutely ridiculous!  I agree with helping those people that need the help - no question about that.  I donate money to the Red Cross all the time.  Big hearts my aunt fanny - big $$$$ is more like it! 

EDIT:  Just so I don't become 'visible' again and get attacked for it - I'm not only referring to Tim - I'm referring to any and all of the stars who suddenly come out of the woodwork and jump on the bandwagon.

And as was pointed out - looks like most of those signed up have an agenda!

It looks like the telethon news keeps getting more and more confusing, and sad.

There are actually going to be two telethons this time.

The first one will be the Tim and Faith one this Friday.  It is just pretty much Tim, Faith and a couple of other people. Here is the information about the first telethon.


The second one will be the big one.  It will have Gretchen and a whole bunch of rock stars.  This one will air on September 10 and will be set up almost exactly like the telethon for September 11 that turned into a press nightmare.

Stars will perform in multiple locations.  Just like the September 11 telethon.

Here is the information about the second telethon.

[drock89]

It's for a good cause and the people need it. I can't believe you guys when hog wild over this! So what if it's a PR stunt? They will raise a lot of much needed money to help out our brothers and sisters in the Gulf Coast area.

[jimmy74747]

These celebrities should get off their butts, drive a truckful of water down to Mississippi or Louisiana and help out with their own cash rather than telling others to do the same. I would love to hear ten months fromnow that "Celebirty X" gave a week of his or her time to help ou in Louisiana with no fanfare. That would make me a fan of an artist. Not this pandering that we are seeing on NBC.

[Perp]

jimmy74747 said:

These celebrities should get off their butts, drive a truckful of water down to Mississippi or Louisiana and help out with their own cash rather than telling others to do the same.  I would love to hear ten months fromnow that "Celebirty X" gave a week of his or her time to help ou in Louisiana with no fanfare.  That would make me a fan of an artist.  Not this pandering that we are seeing on NBC.

Harry Connick Jr for his part *IS* in New Orleans *TODAY* and right in the very worst of it, according to an MSNBC reporter who saw him at the hell-hole Convention Center (where conditions are even more deplorable than the Superdome situation).  The reporter's descriptions of what's going there were harrowing and made you feel sick that it's happening right here in America.  You'll probably see that reporter's clips and his descriptions repeated because they're very graphic and moving.  I'm not a fan of Harry Connick's music simply because his genre isn't my thing, but as a person he's not afraid to roll up his sleeves and be there RIGHT WITH the people who are suffering.

Edited to add a link to the MSNBC news story (including video) that I referred to above...

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9160710/

[firedancer]

shaniagotchagood said:

It's for a good cause and the people need it.  I can't believe you guys when hog wild over this! So what if it's a PR stunt? They will raise a lot of much needed money to help out our brothers and sisters in the Gulf Coast area.

Amen! I understand the argument here, but why not use these big stars to raise awareness?

Maybe these big stars ARE ALSO opening their pocket books, but not smearing it all over national television! Plus, "johnny q public" should be doing what he can AS WELL. We ALL should be giving blood, giving money, and sending supplies instead of spending our time arguing with each other on the computer. Which reminds me... I gotta go.

[luvhonkytonk]

musicstfan said:

I know others won't agree with me, but I just think these celebrity telethons are getting ridiculous.

After every

[/I] disaster these days, there's a new telethon that's filled with multi-millionaires asking "regular" people (those without millions of dollars) to donate.

There was the September 11 telethon, which turned into a press nightmare afterward.  There was the Tsunami telethon that did bad in the ratings.  There was the Live 8 concerts, which more people watched to see performances rather than be made "aware" of the horrible health crisis it was said to be for.  Not to mention the Gift Baskets that the stars got had Thousands of dollars of stuff in them.  (How do gift bags of thousands of dollars worth of stuff help make people "aware" of a crisis?)

It's out of hand.  It's nothing but a big PR event for most of the celebrities involved.

It's very nice that celebrities "come together" to help, but it would mean more if the celebrities just donated some of their multi-millions to the cause(s) instead of telling "regular" people to donate.


End of rant. [/quote]

I completely agree with you. Instead of opening their wallets, they're asking the "regular" folks to open their's. Most of us are wondering how we're going to afford to buy gas to get to work and they want more from us?

[Pink Champagne Ricochet]

Tim McGraw is definitely a superstar in country music. I'm not sure if he's a superstar in general terms (although the duet with Nelly helps a bit on that score), and probably not overseas although that may be due to the general lack of popularity of country music over there. Either way, he's a pretty big name that will bring more attention to this cause. Like I said in the music news thread, i'm torn on the aspects, but every little bit helps. however, giving away damn gift baskets is just beyond the pale.

Clay Aiken will also be taking part in the NBC telethon, but i'm not sure in what capacity; whether he'll sing or not. FWIW he has nothing to promote at the moment either.

[jacksonfan]

ALAN JOINS FORCES FOR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORT

ALANJACKSON.COM ENEWS UPDATE
09-02-2005

ALAN JOINS FORCES FOR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORT

Special Sept. 27 Event Will Be Simulcast Live on GAC as well as Sister Networks DIY Network and FINE LIVING

The Grand Ole Opry presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and television network Great American Country (GAC) announced plans for Country Reaches Out: An Opry Benefit for the American Red Cross to assist with hurricane relief. The Sept. 27 event, to be held at the Grand Ole Opry House, will begin at 8 p.m. ET. GAC will broadcast live from! the event starting at 9 p.m. ET.

The commercial-free television event will include appearances and performances by Jackson, and other country music artists who will raise awareness for The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and urge contributions from GAC viewers in the wake of Hurricane Katrina that caused catastrophic damage throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Profits from the show’s ticket sales will also benefit the Red Cross.

[Deleted]

Even with Alan Jackson involved, my point(s) remain the same.

I've already stated how I felt in my posts above, so I'll spare people from having to read them again.

My views haven't changed.