Lionel Richie Named MusiCare's 2016 Person of the Year

Lionel Richie will be honored as the 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, it was announced today by Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the MusiCares Foundation and The Recording Academy, and Bill Silva, Chair of the MusiCares Foundation Board. Proceeds from the 26th annual benefit gala dinner and concert - to be held in Los Angeles during GRAMMY Week two nights prior to the 58th Annual GRAMMY AWARDS - will provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

To date, confirmed tribute concert performers include multi-GRAMMY winners Lady Antebellum and Pharrell Williams, as well as singer/songwriter Luke Bryan, reigning Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year. Rickey Minor, current music director for "American Idol" and past two-time music director for the GRAMMY Awards, will be the evening's musical director. Additional performers will be announced shortly.

Richie is being honored as the 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year in recognition of his significant creative accomplishments as well as his career-spanning charitable work, which has included support for an impressive range of causes over the years, ranging from AIDS and human rights to famine, poverty, human trafficking and women's issues. He is also a longtime contributor to the United Negro College Fund.

The 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year gala will begin with a reception and silent auction offering an exclusive and unparalleled selection of luxury items, VIP experiences and one-of-a-kind celebrity memorabilia for bidding guests. The reception and silent auction will be followed by a dinner, the award presentation and a tribute concert featuring renowned musicians. The MusiCares Person of the Year tribute ceremony is one of the most prestigious events held during GRAMMY Week. The celebration culminates with the 58th Annual GRAMMY AWARDS at STAPLES Center on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. The telecast will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

photo: Alan Silfen

Source: Grammy.org

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