Neil Young 2010 MusicCares Person of the Year

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Aug. 11, 2009) — Legendary musician Neil Young will be honored as the 2010 MusiCares^® Person of the Year at its 20th anniversary gala, it was announced today by Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the MusiCares Foundation and The Recording Academy^®, and Paul Caine, Chair of the MusiCares Foundation Board. Proceeds from the annual GRAMMY^®Week gala dinner and concert honoring Young — to be held in Los Angeles on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, two days prior to the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards — will provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn to in times of financial, medical and personal need.

The incomparable singer, songwriter and performer is being honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year in recognition of his exceptional and influential artistic accomplishments as well as his philanthropic work, which has included many generous charitable activities over the years.

"It is an honor to celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Neil Young at our 20th Annual MusiCares Person of the Year tribute," said Portnow. "Neil has set a standard of artistic integrity and iconoclastic creativity for more than four decades, and his achievements have been matched by his unwavering humanitarianism. He is a shining example of how music people offer their creative gifts to the world, and how they also give back through their commitments to charitable endeavors."

"Throughout his career, Neil has stood out as an exceptionally talented performer, and he has stood for causes that are both noble and close to his heart." said Caine. "We look forward to paying tribute to him at this signature GRAMMY Week gala."

The 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year gala will begin with a reception and silent auction offering an exclusive and unparalleled selection of luxury items, VIP experiences and one-of-a-kind celebrity memorabilia for bidding guests. The reception and silent auction will be followed by a dinner, the award presentation and a star-studded tribute concert. The MusiCares Person of the Year tribute ceremony, co-chaired by Warner Bros. Records Chairman Emeritus Mo Ostin, Lookout Management President and FounderElliot Roberts and Warner Bros. Records Chairman/CEO Tom Whalley, is one of the most prestigious events held during GRAMMY Week. The celebration culminates with the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The telecast will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Young's career began with his earliest recordings as a member of the Squires in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1963. He rose to prominence with classic albums such as 1970's After The Gold Rush and 1972's Harvest, and through work with bands such as Buffalo Springfield (Buffalo Springfield, Buffalo Springfield Again); Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (American Dream, Déjà Vu); and Neil Young With Crazy Horse (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere).

He has directed films and released them through his production company Shakey Pictures, including Rust Never Sleeps (1979) and the documentary CSNY/Déjà Vu (2008).

Young continues to push artistic boundaries and has recently released Neil Young Archives Vol. 1 1963–1972 in a variety of formats including Blu-ray, allowing fans to continue to receive new Neil Young archival content as it becomes available.

He has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career including an Oscar nomination in 1993 for his song "Philadelphia" from the film Philadelphia. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1982, and has twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — in 1995 for his solo work, and in 1997 as a member of Buffalo Springfield.

Young's philanthropic work is as renowned as his musical heritage. He was one of the original founders of Farm Aid in 1985, and continues to be an active member on the organization's board of directors. Each October, he and his wife Pegi organize and host the Bridge School Concerts, a benefit for the Bridge School that he and Pegi helped found. The school ensures that children with severe speech and physical impairments achieve full participation in their communities through the use of assistive technology and the development, implementation and dissemination of innovative educational strategies. These weekend concerts have drawn an international array of musical artists and have raised significant resources for the school.

Established in 1989 by The Recording Academy, MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. For more information, please visit www.musicares.com.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thegrammys and a Facebook fan at www.facebook.grammy.com, and a YouTube channel subscriber atwww.youtube.com/thegrammys.