Metallica's James Hetfield to Receive Stevie Ray Vaughan Award

Press release
Source: MusiCares

The second annual MusiCares MAP FundSM benefit concert, honoring singer/songwriter/guitarist and co-founder of Metallica James Hetfield and legendary concert promoter and manager Bill Silva, will be held on Friday, May 12, 2006, at The Music Box @ Fonda, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Calif. All proceeds will benefit the MusiCares MAP Fund, which provides members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment regardless of their financial situation.

Hetfield will be honored as the recipient of the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his dedication and support of the MusiCares MAP Fund and his devotion to helping other addicts with the recovery process. Silva will be the recipient of the MusiCares®From the Heart Award for his unconditional friendship and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization. The evening will feature a buffet dinner and performances by a range of special musical guests.

"This year's MusiCares MAP Fund benefit continues an ongoing tradition to honor those individuals in our community who courageously work to help musicians in need," said MusiCares and Recording Academy® President Neil Portnow. "The demand for addiction recovery programs remains strong, and it is events such as this that raise visibility about the critical work of the MusiCares MAP Fund and recognize those individuals who continue to champion our cause."

Tickets are offered at three price levels: floor placement in a private living room grouping of 10 for $10,000; floor seating for $1,000 each; and balcony seating for $250 each.

About the Honorees:

James Hetfield
A member of Metallica since its inception in 1981, James Hetfield played a critical role in the group's evolution from underground hard rock band to one of the most successful acts in the world with an intensely loyal fan base. Metallica has sold more than 93 million records worldwide and earned gold and/or platinum certifications in more than 40 countries. The group's latest release, St. Anger, charted at No. 1 in 30 countries, and has sold 5 million records worldwide. Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster, a documentary about the group that was more than 3 years in the making, premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and was theatrically released later that year. By the end of 2004, the film was nominated for several critic's awards and won Best Documentary at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Bill Silva
Bill Silva's journey in the music industry began early in his life with a love of rock and roll. He grew up in the Bay Area attending concert pioneer Bill Graham's "Day on the Green" concerts at the Oakland Coliseum. Those stadium events, coupled with Graham's largesse to his community through the staging of fund-raising concerts, left an indelible impression on Silva. His early productions in San Diego included such prodigious talents as Pat Benatar, Willie Nelson, the Police, Diana Ross and Simon & Garfunkel. Over the past 27 years, Silva has established himself as one of the top impresarios in North America, working with developing young artists as well as some of biggest names in the entertainment industry - Garth Brooks, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Green Day, Whitney Houston, Billy Joel, Madonna, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and the Rolling Stones among others. Silva also organizes and promotes nationwide tours, most notably 2000's "Up in Smoke" tour with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Eminem, which became the most successful major rap tour of all time. As President of Bill Silva Management, he guides the careers of platinum-recording artist Jason Mraz, critically acclaimed comedian Margaret Cho, and the jazz-infused R&B pop singer Raul Midón, as well as developing artists Dropping Daylight and Bruce Daniels.

About MusiCares
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.

As a result of acquiring MAP in September 2004, MusiCares developed the MusiCares MAP Fund as a pool of resources set aside specifically to address addiction recovery and sober living needs. Named for the Musicians Assistance Program, founded by longtime musician and addiction recovery activist Buddy Arnold, the MusiCares MAP Fund represents the joint goal of MAP and MusiCares to provide members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment regardless of their financial circumstances.

For more information, visit www.musicares.com.