NEIL YOUNG To Be Honored by MusiCares

      MUSIC NEWS - Legendary musician Neil Young will be honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year at its 20th anniversary gala, it was announced 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 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.

The 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year gala will begin with a reception and silent auction offering an exclusive 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 Founder Elliot Roberts (Neil's manager) 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 STAPLESCenter in Los Angeles. The show will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Young's career began as a member of the Squires in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1963. He then 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's directed films and released them through his production company Shakey Pictures, including Rust Never Sleeps (1979) and the documentary CSNY/Deja 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 CanadianMusic 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 BridgeSchool 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.