New York (Top40 Charts/ Hard Rock International) - Hard Rock International is teaming up with several top musicians and bands for its 2009 global Imagine There's No Hunger campaign to benefit WHY, a nonprofit organization that strives to fight against hunger and poverty in
America and around the world. On Monday, November 9, 2009, Imagine There's No Hunger will kick off at Hard Rock Cafe New York with a star-studded
Red Carpet and Benefit Concert, headlined by Artist Ambassadors O.A.R., also featuring a performance by singer/songwriter Arno Carstens. Hard Rock's exclusive event will feature appearances by several artists and other special guests who are committed to the cause.
Food for Rock ... Fans will have the chance to gain access into the exclusive, intimate benefit and concert event at Hard Rock in Times Square by supporting the cause. Beginning November 5th at 9 A.M., fans are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items to either The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network), located at 211 Fulton Ave in Hempstead, Long Island; the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, located at 31 Evans Terminal Road, Hillside, NJ; or Yorkville Common Pantry at Eight East 109th Street, New York City. The first 100 fans (first-come, first-served) at each location to donate FIVE non-perishable food items will receive a wristband for access into Hard Rock's V.I.P. event on November 9th. Fans who donate 10 or more items will receive two wristbands to gain entry into the event (limit two wristbands per person). For further details, please visit www.hardrock.com.
Imagine There's No Hunger ... Setting the foundation for the 2009 Imagine There's No Hunger campaign, the event launches Hard Rock International's SERVE4 digital album, a project dedicated to serving those in need. Following John Lennon's lead track "Gimme Some Truth," donated by Yoko Ono Lennon, SERVE4 will also feature versions of rare, live or previously unreleased tracks from some of music's most influential artists, including O.A.R., who donated a previously unreleased, live track of their hit "Lay Down.". Other featured artists include Elvis Costello with Allen Toussaint, Uncle Kracker, Eric Hutchinson, Arno Carstens, Brett Dennen and many more. SERVE4 will be available at Hard Rock locations around the world and on www.hardrock.com beginning November 9, 2009, with digital downloads available at iTunes and Amazon.
"We believe every human being has the right to thrive in this life," said Marc Roberge of O.A.R. "By raising awareness and funds we hope to get closer to an end of world hunger so that all people can one day enjoy these most basic of rights. We are honored to be working with Hard Rock International and WHY Hunger as Ambassadors for the 'Imagine There's No Hunger' campaign."
Dedicated to its Love All, Serve All motto, Hard Rock is donating 100% of net proceeds from SERVE4, additional "Imagine There's No Hunger" merchandise and the kick-off event at Hard Rock Cafe New York to WHY and its grassroots partners around the globe that have developed ways to feed children worldwide who are victims of poverty and also teach them farming and entrepreneurial skills for the future.
What: O.A.R. and Friends Kick Off Imagine There's No Hunger Campaign to Benefit WHY
When: Monday, November 9, 2009 6:30 P.M. Red Carpet Begins 7:00 P.M. Doors Open 7:30 P.M. Arno Carstens performs 8:30 P.M. O.A.R. performs
Where: Hard Rock Cafe New York 1501 Broadway (Corner of 43rd) Times Square, NY
About O.A.R. Everfine/Atlantic recording group O.A.R. released their sixth studio album All Sides in the summer of 2008 helping to propel the band's cumulative album sales to well over 1.7 million. Containing the certified Platinum hit single "Shattered," All Sides is the band's most successful debut to date. O.A.R., who are currently on tour, are made up of band members Marc Roberge (vocals, electric & acoustic guitar), Richard On (electric guitar & background vocals), Jerry DePizzo (saxophone), Benj Gershman (bass), and Chris Culos (drums). They formed in 1996 and have since blazed a unique grassroots trail across America, revealing their compelling musical vision through near-constant touring. In 2001, the band formed their own charitable fund called the Heard The World Fund (www.heardtheworld.org) to help provide resources for under funded educational and youth programs both in the U.S. and abroad. To date well over $200,000 has been raised and the majority of that money comes from the band donating a small portion of every ticket sold. The Heard the World Fund has also teamed up with The Children's Scholarship Fund several times over the years to help raise funds for student's tuitions. For more information about O.A.R., go to www.ofarevolution.com.
About WHY WHY (World Hunger Year, Inc.) is dedicated to fighting the root causes of hunger and poverty by supporting grassroots organizations that create self-reliance, economic justice and equal access to nutritious and affordable food. Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and current Executive Director Bill Ayres, WHY works to put an end to hunger suffered by 36.2 million Americans and nearly 1 billion people worldwide.
WHY's main programs include the National Hunger Hotline 1-866-3-HUNGRY, which refers individuals in need of emergency food assistance to soup kitchens, food banks, government programs and community organizations in their neighborhoods; the Grassroots Action Network, which provides information, networking opportunities, capacity building and access to over 8,000 anti-hunger and poverty community organizations across the United States and around the world; and Artists Against Hunger & Poverty which is supported by Bruce Springsteen, Michael McDonald, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Joss Stone, Darryl McDaniels, Jackson Browne, O.A.R, and many others. www.whyhunger.org.
About Hard Rock International With a total of 157 venues in 53 countries, including 127 cafes and 12 Hotels/Casinos, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Tulsa, Pattaya, Bali, Macau and Penang. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Singapore scheduled to open in 2010; Palm Springs, Atlanta and Panama, scheduled to open in 2011; Hungary, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2012. Hard Rock International is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.
