Music Rising Animated Screensaver Now Available

Hi all: Just wanted to let you know that you can download the Music Rising animated screensaver now. Its easy and you can do it by going to our website at www.musicrising.org and clicking the button on the homepage for either a PC or a MAC. This the animated winged logo created by well known designer Bill Cathcart. Its the same one we used for the broadcast of the pre-game performance at Louisiana Superdome. Have fun and enjoy. Thanks. Caroline

The Saints Are Coming Now on iTunes

Music Rising announced that the download for the much anticipated “The Saints Are Coming” collaboration between legendary rock groups U2 and Green Day is now available via iTunes in the U.S. The song has topped the charts throughout Europe since its release.
All proceeds from the sale of the song will go directly to Music Rising (www.musicrising.org) a campaign launched in late 2005 by U2’s The Edge, producer Bob Ezrin and Gibson Guitar. Its mission to replace the musical instruments that were lost in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita has now extended to its second phase dedicated to helping churches and schools of the area. To date Music Rising has helped over 2,100 musicians regain their livelihood, been recognized by President Bill Clinton and has won the 2005 Halo Award for Cause Marketing and the 2006 Billboard Humanitarian Award.

“The Saints Are Coming” was performed by the two supergroups at the re-opening of the Louisiana Superdome on September 25th, 2006 and has become an anthem for the region. People continue to struggle in their efforts to recover from the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina. The song which was originally written and performed by The Skids in 1978 has been recorded and performed by U2 and Green Day. Both U2’s The Edge and Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day led the debut of this collaboration at the Louisiana Superdome performance. The hurricanes left 80% of New Orleans under water and destroyed 200,000 homes. Most of the musical instrument from the region were also lost in the flooding. Music Rising is dedicated to helping to rebuild the musical culture of the region by replacing those lot instruments.

To download “The Saints Are Coming” with proceeds to benefit Music Rising please go to: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=204741943&s=143441: <http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=204741943&s=143441>

News from The Music Rising Team

Hello All. Its been awhile since I wrote and updated all of you on what's new at Music Rising. Wanted to give you a few updates and let you know that Music Rising continues to help musicians and many more in the Gulf Region. To date we have now helped over 2,200 musicians get back their livelihood and we thank all of you for your support. On September 25th we hosted the re-opening of the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. U2 and Green Day performed at the pre-game show which was broadcast on ESPN and ABC and it was the most phenomenal experience any of us ever had. When U2 and Green Day took the stage and performed "The Saints Are Coming" live it was as if the top of the Superdome was going to explode with energy. It was amazing. It was magical and it was a gift to the people of New Orleans. The Edge wore his Music Rising t-shirt and was so instrumental in making all of this happen. If you are reading this you need to spread the word to call your local radio station and ask them to play "The Saints Are Coming." Its available on iTunes and if you download it all of the money will go straight to Music Rising. So download and know you are doing something great for people in need. Call every radio station you know and tell them to play it and play it alot! It all goes to help Music Rising. On November 9th Music Rising accepted the 2006 Billboard Humanitarian Award. Edge is traveling and on tour so our co-founder Bob Ezrin accepted it on behalf of all of us in New York. We were honored that night along side Elton John who received the Living Legend award. Pretty good company for Music Rising and all of us are very proud of the recognition. We also officially launched Phase II of Music Rising. Phase II will focus on replacing the musical instruments lost by schools and churches in the Gulf Region. We are currently working to help many and have already assisted several in the region. In March we will host a star-studded international auction in New York City where fans and interested donors will have the chance to bid on some of the greatest rock n roll memorabilia ever known. You can periodically check at Julien's Auctions site for updates and the auction will be live in New York, online live and also broadcast. This is another way you can help support the people in need. Many of you may not know that thousands of people of New Orleans still are displaced and their homes are not restored nor are they being renovated. We must continue to work hard to help these people get back on their feet. We cannot thank you enough for supporting Music Rising and let us know your thoughts or ideas on our efforts. Remember "The Saints Are Coming" recorded by U2 and Green Day is one of the most phenomenal arrangements you will ever hear. When they performed it live it was if time stood still. To see the two supergroups on stage singing for New Orleans was incredible and to hear Bono at the very end simply sing the words Music Rising to an audience of millions is something we will never forget. Don't forget to download it on iTunes and don't forget to call your local radio stations to play it. Keeping the music rising, we are forever indebted to all of you for your help and support. Thank you and Happy Holidays. Caroline Galloway