SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GRAMMY® Award-winning artists Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow, Lalah Hathaway, the Isley Brothers, John Legend, Michael McDonald, PJ Morton, Mumford & Sons, Lionel Richie, the Temptations, Trombone Shorty, GRAMMY Award-winning artist and 2019 Recording Academy® Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Dionne Warwick, current GRAMMY Award nominees Samara Joy, Molly Tuttle, Sebastián Yatra, previous GRAMMY Award nominees Jimmie Allen, Chloe x Halle, previous GRAMMY Award nominee and 2019 Trustees Award recipient Valerie Simpson, previous GRAMMY Award nominees and 2009 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipients Four Tops, and singer/songwriter Rita Wilson will perform at the 32nd annual MusiCares® Persons of the Year benefit gala honoring Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson on Feb. 3, 2023, two days before the GRAMMY Awards® Telecast.
This year’s tribute will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center and includes a reception and silent auction, followed by a dinner and tribute concert. Performers will pay tribute to the individual musical legacies created by Mr. Gordy and Mr. Robinson as well as the music they created together during their decades-long friendship.
"We're bringing together such a unique lineup of artists not only to pay tribute to Mr. Gordy, Mr. Robinson and Motown, but also to raise awareness of the critical health and social service needs within the music community," said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. "The funds raised from Persons of the Year will allow MusiCares to continue to provide vital services throughout the year to the music community and continue to serve those who make the songs and events we all love possible."
Proceeds from the event will provide essential support for MusiCares, the leading music charity providing music professionals health and human services across a spectrum of needs.
"I am so excited to share the always wonderful MusiCares event with my best friend Smokey Robinson and I can't wait to hear these wonderful artists celebrate the Motown music," says Berry Gordy, founder of Motown. "I'm so excited for this year’s MusiCares lineup. These artists are my friends and I not only love them, but I'm honored that they will be performing my music, along with hits from the Motown catalogue," added Smokey Robinson.
Since 1991, money raised from this gala goes toward MusiCares programs and services that assist the music community, including physical and mental health, addiction recovery, preventative clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies, and disaster relief. The safety of the honorees, guests, performers, and staff is our first priority. The event will follow all necessary COVID-19 precautions, safety guidelines and requirements set forth by health officials.
This year’s event would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors, including AEG, ELS STUDIO 3D Premium Audio, Meta, United Airlines, Wasserman Foundation, and product donations from GREY GOOSE Vodka, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and FIJI Water.
"We are thrilled to see such an incredible array of talented performers coming together to honor Smokey and Berry, two legends who have helped define modern music," said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. "This celebration spotlights MusiCares' ongoing commitment to serve all music people and we look forward to an unforgettable night."
Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson join a prestigious list of recent MusiCares honorees including Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac, Dolly Parton, and Aerosmith.
The event will again be produced by live event broadcast outfit Lewis & Clark, made up of Joe Lewis and R.A. Clark. Fellow Detroit native, Greg Phillinganes, will join the special evening as Musical Director.
Tables are available for purchase at http://personoftheyear.musicares.org/. For more information about MusiCares Persons of the Year, please visit www.musicares.org or email personoftheyear@musicares.org.
For media interested in applying for red carpet credentials, please reach out to Asenath Nakayama at teammusicares@shelterpr.com.
ABOUT MUSICARES
MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: www.musicares.org.
