Music legend, Bob Harris OBE celebrates 50 years in broadcasting this month with a collaboration single StandByMe 2020. From his early days on Radio 1, to the TV Show The Old Grey Whistle Test and to helping co-launch Time Out, he’s done it all. He’s one of the most respected broadcasters in the business, having worked with some of the biggest names in British music.
As part of his 50th celebration he’s organising a new charity single of his favourite song – Stand By Me, with proceeds going to Help Musicians.
#StandByMe (2020) is a star-studded new charity single raising funds for Help Musicians, the 99-year-old charity that continues to provide vital support to thousands of music creators during this unprecedented time. Available from October 27th via Under The Apple Tree Records, in partnership with Absolute Label Services, all funds are being raised via the #StandByMe Go Fund Me page which is now live! See here.
A huge array of artists have come together under the banner ‘Whispering Bob’s Allstars’ to perform the song remotely, including: Mark Knopfler, Rosanne Cash, Paul Rodgers, PP Arnold, Peter Frampton, Mica Paris, Rick Wakeman, Richard Thompson, Beth Nielsen Chapman, John Oates, Leo Sayer, The Shires and Ward Thomas plus many more – see below for full list.
This new recording of the Ben E King classic is spearheaded by the legendary Bob Harris OBE, who celebrates 50 years in broadcasting this year. What better way to mark the occasion than inviting some of his favourite artists to come together to perform his favourite song, 60 years to the day it was originally recorded (27 October 1960) and raise money for a wonderful cause – Help Musicians.
Bob Harris OBE, describes how, “COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the UK music scene. The artists who rely on live performances for their income have been particularly hard hit. For the past six years Under The Apple Tree has been a fantastic platform for emerging artists and now, in this time of difficulty, we want to raise funds to help the diverse and dedicated grass roots music community that we love so much.”
Help Musicians is an independent charity with an extraordinary history. For nearly 100 years, it has provided a broad spectrum of help, support and opportunities to empower musicians aged 18+, at any stage of their career or retirement, from times of great need to times of opportunity, providing a lifetime of support when it is needed most. Help Musicians aims to make a meaningful difference to the lives of professional musicians and is passionate about creating a world where musicians thrive.
James Ainscough, CEO Help Musicians commented, “We’re delighted that Bob Harris OBE, a Help Musicians ambassador for many years, has instigated this wonderful project. Music has sustained so many of us during lockdown, yet tens of thousands of musicians have had their income wiped out. It is through fundraisers such as this that the Help Musicians team can continue to provide the broad range of support that is needed now more than ever. Thanks to those generously donating, Help Musicians has been able to offer financial hardship support, creative development opportunities and a vital mental health service which reaches the entire music community during this difficult time. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Bob and the team for their continued support, and to everyone who donates to this unique single.”
Show your support for the charity and the industry and check out the #StandByMe (2020) Go Fund Me page, which is now live HERE. You can pre-order the track HERE.
#StandByMe (2020) collaborators in alphabetical order, can be seen in this list below.
- Anna Corcoran
- Beth Nielsen Chapman
- Callaghan
- Darius Rucker
- Demi Marriner
- Duane Eddy
- Elles Bailey
- Gregor Philp
- Jamie Lawson
- Jimmie Allen
- John Oates
- Judie Tzuke
- Judith Owen
- Keb Mo
- Kiki Dee
- Laura Cantrell
- Laura Oakes
- Leo Sayer
- Mark Knopfler
- Mary Gauthier
- McCrary Sisters
- Mica Paris
- Mollie Marriott
- P.P. Arnold
- Paul Rodgers
- Peter Frampton
- Richard Thompson
- Rick Wakeman
- Robbie Cavanagh
- Robert Vincent
- Rosanne Cash
- Sam Outlaw
- Sam Palladio
- Steve Cradock
- The Shires
- Twinnie
- Ward Thomas
- Wildwood Kin
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