New Artists Join Efforts for 'Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now'

New Artists Join Efforts for 'Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now'

R. Kelly, Kanye West, Diddy, Common, Fred Hammond, Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, Rhymefest and Black Buddafly Bring Urban Sound to Multi-Artist Benefit Album

Faith Hill, B.B. King, Chris Thomas King, Josh Groban, Clint Black, Among Others, Contribute Recordings

All-Star Collection Will Be Released November 22

LOS ANGELES and WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Responding to the overwhelming outpouring of support from musicians, writers and producers, EMI Group, SONY BMG, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Concord Music Group, along with the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), today announced the addition of new artists and songs to complete the double CD multi-artist benefit album Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now. The 35-song collection, to be released November 22, will feature new recordings and classic cuts from more than 80 artists, spanning a variety of generations and genres. All proceeds will aid the relief efforts for the Gulf Coast victims devastated by recent hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

An accomplished cast of new artists has joined the already stellar group of performers. R. Kelly sparkles on the specially recorded "Let Your Light Shine;" Kanye West churns out the uplifting "We Can Make It Better" featuring Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, Common and Rhymefest; sisters Black Buddafly introduce "Make A Change," and Diddy offers the soulful "By Faith" featuring Fred Hammond. "It's important for Americans to remember that rebuilding efforts and providing aid to those still in need is a long term process," R. Kelly shared. "It's easy for all of us to get caught up in our daily lives, but we should remember that the human crisis continues."

Also new to the collection are country megastars Faith Hill with "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" and Clint Black with "When the Levee Broke." B.B. King joins with a bluesy "Early In The Morning." Chris Thomas King fuses blues and hip-hop on "What Would Jesus Do?" Josh Groban and Bela Fleck support with the soaring track "Alla Luce Del Sole," and gospel family The Winans resonate with "After All."

Among the ensembles featured in the collection is "Heart of America," written by Tim Blixseth and featuring Wynonna Judd, Michael McDonald and Eric Benet, and "Come Together Now," co-written and co-produced by Sharon Stone, Denise Rich, Damon Sharpe and Mark Feist and featuring more than 20 artists.

The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network is the latest to join the industry-wide effort with representation from music's urban community. "Responding to the challenges of hurricane relief is an awesome responsibility, yet serving the ongoing needs of those most affected is a blessed cause worthy of our support and giving," emphasized Russell Simmons, Chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. All of the participating artists, publishers, songwriters and record companies have waived their royalties and donated their services to this important cause as have the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA).

"Seeing so many people selflessly come together to help those affected by the recent hurricanes has shown us that the worst of mother nature can bring out the best in human nature," said Glen Barros, President of Concord Music Group. "The Concord team is honored to be a part of the grand spirit behind this industry-wide effort."

"'Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now' represents this industry at its very best, with artists, executives and music retailers all pulling together for an important cause," said Andrew Lack, CEO, SONY BMG Music Entertainment. "On behalf of everyone at SONY BMG, I'm proud to be associated with this project, and grateful to have the opportunity to help."

"So much of our musical and cultural history originated in the Gulf Coast, and Warner Music Group and our artists are enormously proud to have contributed time and talent to the music industry's benefit album, 'Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now,'" said Lyor Cohen, Chairman and CEO of U.S. Recorded Music for Warner Music Group. "Since these tragedies occurred, our entire company has been working together to help hurricane victims, and we are committed to help those affected recover and rebuild their lives over the long term."

"The value of music in our society is never more apparent than in times of crisis," said David Munns, Chairman and CEO of EMI Music North America. "EMI and its artists are proud to lend its resources and creative talents to the 'Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now' project."

"We are grateful for the contributions of our artists in this worthy cause and feel privileged to be able to help support the people affected most by Katrina," stated Zach Horowitz, President & COO of Universal Music Group. "When people purchase this CD, they will hear great music from a wide spectrum of artists all coming together to perform for one cause -- to offer assistance to those who have suffered so greatly in New Orleans."

RIAA, on behalf of its member companies and all of the participating artists, publishers and songwriters, will donate 100 percent of its net proceeds -- at least $15.00(U.S.) -- from the purchase price of this CD to these charities for hurricane relief: American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/), to help provide food, shelter, counseling and financial assistance to those in need; Habitat for Humanity (http://www.habitat.org/), for the long-term goal of rebuilding homes and MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund (http://www.musicares.org/), to provide direct assistance to the members of the music community who have been affected or displaced.

Special thanks to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, The Harry Fox Agency, the National Music Publishers' Association and the National Association of Recording Merchandisers for their invaluable assistance in this project.

Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now will be available on Tuesday, November 22 and is available by pre-sale at Amazon.com. The suggested retail list price is $19.98.

FINAL TRACK LISTING:

Louis Armstrong "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New
Orleans?"
R. Kelly "Let Your Light Shine"
Faith Hill "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
John Mayer/Aaron Neville "Heart So Heavy"
Harry Connick, Jr. "City Beneath The Sea"
Clifton Chenier "Ay-TeTe Fee"
Sting with Chris Botti "Moon Over Bourbon Street"
Michael McDonald,
Wynonna Judd & Eric Benet "Heart of America"
Diddy featuring
Fred Hammond "By Faith"
B.B. King "Early In The Morning"
Coldplay "Fix You"
Clint Black "When the Levee Broke"
Various Artists "Tears In Heaven"
Lenny Kravitz "Believe"
Van Morrison "Blue and Green"
Professor Longhair "Mardi Gras in New Orleans"
John Fogerty "Born On The Bayou"
Norah Jones/Wyclef Jean "Any Other Day"
Bonnie Raitt "I Will Not Be Broken"
Rod Stewart with
Jerry Lawson and
Talk of the Town "People Get Ready"
Kanye West, Talib Kweli,
Q-Tip, Common, Rhymefest "We Can Make It Better"
James Brown "Try Me"
Dave Matthews Band
featuring Robert Randolph "Louisiana Bayou"
Dr. John "Goin' Back To New Orleans"
Elton John "I'm Still Standing"
Chris Thomas King "What Would Jesus Do?"
Josh Groban with
Bela Fleck "Alla Luce Del Sole"
Black Buddafly "Make A Change"
Barbra Streisand "I Believe"
Brian Wilson "Love & Mercy"
Gloria Estefan "Coming Out of the Dark/Always Tomorrow"
Neville Brothers "Brothers"
The Winans "After All"
Various Artists "Come Together Now"
Kirk Whalum/Coolio "When the Saints Go Marching Back In"

About the RIAA

The Recording Industry Association of America is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. Its mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes our members' creative and financial vitality. Its members are the record companies that comprise the most vibrant national music industry in the world. RIAA(R) members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States. In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect intellectual property rights worldwide and the First Amendment rights of artists; conduct consumer industry and technical research; and monitor and review -- state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAA(R) also certifies Gold(R), Platinum(R), Multi-Platinum(TM), and Diamond sales awards, as well as Los Premios De Oro y Platino(TM), an award celebrating Latin music sales.

Source: RIAA

CONTACT: Jonathan Lamy of RIAA Records, +1-202-775-0101, JLamy@RIAA.com;
or Joel Amsterdam of Concord Records, 310-385-4206,
jamsterdam@concordrecords.com; or Gretchen Wagner of Rubenstein
Communications, Inc., +1-212-843-8076, gwagner@rubenstein.com, both for RIAA

Web site: http://www.musicares.org/
http://www.redcross.org/
http://www.habitat.org/

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