ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 2, 2004–Sting gave the shirt off his back in front of 300 avid fans for The Rainforest Foundation-US during a Live Auction to raise funds for the organization, which he and Trudie Styler co-founded in 1989.
Rainforest Foundation-US Celebration Atlanta, the first annual benefit in Atlanta was held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden on September 1. The musician, who has kicked off the second leg of his sold out Sacred Love Tour at Philips Arena in Atlanta, spontaneously took to the stage to auction a Fender Sting Signature edition bass guitar, which auctioned off for $33,000. Approximately $150,000 was raised in the Live Auction alone.
The benefit featured performances by some of today’s top musical artists including India.Arie; 17-Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss and Union Station; and national country newcomer Colt Prather.
“This fundraiser was a huge success,” said Rick Baker, Executive Producer of the event and a member of The Rainforest Foundation-US’ board of directors. “It combined a sense of community and a spectacular blend of performers in a setting that celebrates biodiversity and conservation and complements the benefit’s mission: Protecting the rainforests and its people.”
One of its supporters is Atlanta’s own India.Arie, who established her place in the industry with Grammy nominations in seven categories — the most of any solo artist. One highlight of the evening included India.Arie’s performance of Video, a highly personal stream of consciousness about self acceptance. Sting noted: “When I heard India perform, it made me be proud to be a human being.”
Other highlights included Alison Krauss and Union Station, whose band member Dan Tyminsky performed “I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow” from the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. In the movie, George Clooney lip-synched to Dan Tyminski’s version of the song. During the Live Auction, Sting talked briefly about his passion for saving the rainforest and its human communities, and that we are not English or American; we are all human beings and the environment is something we all share.
Rainforest Foundation-US is an independently funded non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the rights of rainforest groups who find their traditional lands and human rights threatened.
Source: www.savetherest.org
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