MusiCares Launches 'Be a Part of the Heart' Campaign

In conjunction with Valentine's Day, MusiCares® announced today the launch of an innovative fundraising campaign aimed at the public to create the world's largest photo mosaic comprised of one million photo tiles. "Be A Part Of The Heart" encourages fans, recording artists, and corporate and media partners to come together to raise awareness and generate resources to help MusiCares continue to provide a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. Established by The Recording Academy® in 1989, MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies.

"We just announced this campaign at our MusiCares Person of the Year tribute that honored Barbra Streisand on Feb. 1. The response was immediate, and so far artists such as Bon Jovi, Black Cards, Taio Cruz, Melissa Etheridge, Selena Gomez, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Pete Stump and Gloria Trevihave already uploaded their photos," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy, MusiCares, and the GRAMMY Foundation®. "The accessibility of the "Be A Part Of The Heart" initiative, coupled with its message that together we can unite to do powerful and positive things, makes it a compelling campaign. It's going to be very meaningful to see this mosaic take shape over the next 10 months."

"What so engages me about the "Be A Part Of The Heart" concept is that it will allow for the creation of a genuine online community that is coming together to participate in philanthropy and tell the story of music in their lives," said MusiCares Board President Paul Caine. "And it will help raise the visibility of this remarkable organization in the broader community."

The "Be A Part Of The Heart"concept is straightforward. Participants can visit www.beapartoftheheart.com and make a contribution of $1 to receive an online tile, where they can upload a photo and include their stories and links to websites and social media platforms. There is no limit to the donation amount and the tiles that go with it. Tiles can be created in honor of loved ones, to commemorate important milestones or holidays, and to engage other members of the public. There is also a place to include text about key musical influences. In addition, the initiative offers a chance to win two tickets to the 54th Annual GRAMMY® Awards*.

The "Be A Part Of The Heart" program will continue throughout 2011 with a special unveiling event and concert to be announced in December. For more information, visit www.beapartoftheheart.com.

MusiCares offers programs and services to members of the music community including emergency financial assistancefor basic living expenses including rent, utilities and car payments; medical expenses including doctor, dentist and hospital bills; psychotherapy; and treatment for HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, hepatitis C, and other critical illnesses. MusiCares offers nationwide educational workshops covering a variety of subjects, including financial, legal, medical, and substance abuse issues, and programs in collaboration with healthcare professionals that provide services such as flu shots, hearing tests and medical/dental screenings. The MusiCares MAP Fund® allows access to addiction recovery treatment and sober living resources for members of the music community regardless of their financial circumstances. Staffed by qualified chemical dependency and intervention specialists, MusiCares Safe Harbor Rooms offer a support network to those in recovery while they are participating in the production of televised music shows and other major music events. MusiCares holds weekly addiction support groups for people to discuss how to best cope with the issues surrounding the recovery process. The MusiCares Sober Touring Network is a database of individuals across the United States who can take music people to recovery support meetings while on the road.

Established in 1989 by The Recording Academy, MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. For more information, please visit www.musicares.org.

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