NEW YORK, NY (July 10, 2006) ´”On August 22, 2006, Rhino Entertainment, in association with MSG Entertainment (MSGE), to release a double disc DVD of the landmark Katrina benefit concert, FROM THE BIG APPLE TO THE BIG EASY: The Concert For New Orleans, which was held on September 20th, 2005 at Madison Square Garden to support the long-term relief and rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina, it was announced today. As the one-year anniversary of the disaster approaches (August 29), Rhino Entertainment and MSGE invite you to bring home the DVD of the live concert performance that has touched so many lives. FROM THE BIG APPLE TO THE BIG EASY unites the biggest names in music with New Orleans legends to create a poignant musical journey. The live concert raised approximately nine million dollars to benefit long-term hurricane relief efforts. 100% of net proceeds from the sale of this DVD will continue to raise money and awareness for those victims.
´From the Big Apple to the Big Easy was one of the most unforgettable and important events ever held at Madison Square Garden,´ said Jay Marciano, president, MSG Entertainment. ´It has always been our belief that music has the power to do more than entertain, but to help and heal those in need. Through the release of this DVD we are proud to continue to help organizations that are committed to providing on-going long-term relief efforts to the Gulf region, which still requires an enormous amount of aid.´
Veteran television producer Ken Ehrlich (´The Grammy Awards´) and Quint Davis, president of Festival Productions, Inc. and producer/director of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Essence Music Festival, served as executive producers of the live concert, FROM THE BIG APPLE TO THE BIG EASY. Through their vision they brought together many unique musical pairings that created a magical night that was captured on DVD. Some of these special performances include a trio of songs from Simon & Garfunkel (´Mrs. Robinson´ ´Homeward Bound´ and ´Bridge Over Troubled Water´); a Neil Young classic performed by Jimmy Buffett and Dave Matthews (´Heart of Gold´); Elton John´s bittersweet reminiscence (´Levon´); Jimmy Buffet´s hit (´Margaritaville,´) and The Neville Brothers & The Meters searing breakdown hymn (´Amazing Grace.´) FROM THE BIG APPLE TO THE BIG EASY will be available August 22 at all retail outlets and at https://www.rhino.com>http://https://www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $24.99.
Beneficiaries for both the live concert and the DVD sales include the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund; Habitat for Humanity; MusiCares and the Children´s Health Fund.
· The Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund serves as an umbrella organization for the three special funds established by Governors of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi and has been focused on assisting in the long-term recovery plan for the states
· Habitat for Humanity has embarked on the most ambitious U.S. house building initiative in its history. Proceeds from the Concert for the Gulf Coast are rebuilding houses in these devastated communities.
· The MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund benefits victims in the music industry affected by the crisis. Assistance includes basic living expenses such as shelter, food, utilities, transportation; medical expenses; clothing; instrument and recording equipment replacement; relocation costs; school supplies for students; insurance payments.
· The Children´s Health Fund is continuing to expand its fleet of mobile medical vans, which are providing medical care for affected children
Rhino Entertainment will release FROM THE BIG APPLE TO THE BIG EASY DVD on August 22. The two-disc set runs ± 200 minutes and features 5.1 surround sound.
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