Neil Young, one of the awesomest dudes ever, has recently been announced as the recipient of yet another award. However, this new accolade, while recognizing Young’s artistic and musical achievements over a multi-decade career, primarily focuses on Young's philanthropic and humanitarian work.
The MusiCares Person of the Year award, first given in 1991 and previously held by such luminaries as Aretha Franklin, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Bono, and plenty of others, hopes to establish the recipient as a truly caring and charitable musician... officially!
Yeah! That’s right! Neil Young totally gives a shit about you! Well, as long as you’re a farmer or a child with severe speech and/or physical impairments. Just joking, Neil Young totally cares about everyone (except Graham Nash); he just knows that farmers and physically disabled children could use a little help, which is exactly why Neil Young is receiving this new honor.
The singer/songwriter/guitarist began his philanthropic work in 1985 when he co-founded and organized the first Farm Aid concert along with Willie Nelson and Johnny Cougar Mellencamp. (The benefit festival continues to raise money for farmers, and the next event is planned for October of this year.) Beyond helping the family farmers of America, Young and his wife also run the annual Bridge School Concerts. Started in 1986, the shows aim to raise money for physically impaired children.
Neil Portnow, president/CEO of the Recording Academy and the MusiCares Foundation, had this to say about Mr. Young: “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.”
The award ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on January 29, two days before the Grammy Awards.
