Episode 26: January 26

On tonight's show we discussed the music industry's contribution to the relief effort for the disastrous Haiti earthquakes, which have claimed the lives of up to 200,000 people.

The Hope For Haiti Now telephon which took place on January 22 featured performances from the biggest names in music including Madonna, Coldplay, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Bono, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Jay Z, Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige, Justin Timberlake, Neil Young, Sheryl Crow, amongst others. Some of the biggest names in Hollywood took to the phones for donations. The telephon drew in 83 million viewerss in the US, and has to date raised $61 million. In Australia, the telephon was broadcast on free-to-air television on the Network Ten.



An audio album of the live performances is on sale at digital retailers. Proceeds from all sales go towards the relief effort. The album has set a record as the biggest one-day album pre-order in iTunes history. When it debuts at #1 in the US this week, it will be the first compilation album to do so, as well as the first digital-only album to do so. To download the album from iTunes, click here.

For more information on Hope For Haiti Now, visit the official website. You can make a donation via the website or phone: USA & Canada: 1-877-99-HAITI / International: +1 773 360 0205

In the UK, industry mogul Simon Cowell is quickly putting together a charity single. It will feature vocals from some of the UK's biggest names including our very own Kylie and Susan Boyle. The track will be a cover of the REM classic "Everybody Hurts".

There are many other examples of artists auctioning items, putting on charity concerts, or donating portions of ticket sales from their concert tours to the relief. In a time of immense devastation and loss, music has a way of bringing out the best in people. Madonna was right, music really does make the people come together!

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PART 1 // PART 2