PETE SEEGER Turns 90, Big NYC MSG Concert Party Announced !!

MUSIC NEWS - The Clearwater Concert: Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders, a star-studded, one night only concert to celebrate Pete Seeger's 90th Birthday, and his music, will be held on Sunday, May 3, at 7pm, at NYC's Madison Square Garden. This once-in-a-lifetime concert event will benefit and raise awareness for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, which Pete founded. The group strives to preserve and protect NY's Hudson River. Seeger, a legendary folk singer, noted political activist and avid environmentalist, has worked his whole life to inspire social change through his actions and music. The Clearwater Concert: Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders will feature over 40 music artists representing a wide variety of genres and generations, including Joan Baez, Ben Harper, Ani DiFranco, Dave Matthews, Michael Franti, Emmylou Harris, Juanes, John Mellencamp, Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, Taj Mahal, Eddie Vedder, and Keller Williams. The evening, hosted by Clearwater, will focus on ensemble renditions of musical treasures inspired by Pete Seeger.

Pre-sale tickets will be available starting Monday, March 23 at 9am. Public on-sale will begin Monday, March 30 at 9am. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com and range from $19-$250, with most tix priced at $90 (honoring Pete's birthday). Special Clearwater Legacy Tickets will also be available. For more information, check out Seeger90.com, and more info at Clearwater.org.

And to celebrate, WFUV's Sunday Breakfast host John Platt will mark the 90th birthday of American songwriting icon Pete Seeger with Pete at 90: A Seeger Celebration. The show will air on Seeger's 90th birthday, Sunday, May 3rd, the 90 minute tribute will feature songs such as "Turn Turn Turn," "If I Had a Hammer," and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" performed by Seeger and others, as well as extensive comments from Pete about his life and music. Friends and protégés including: Joan Baez, Roger McGuinn, Judy Collins, Peter Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey, Nanci Griffith, Tom Chapin, Leo Kottke and Don McLean will relate stories about Seeger and discuss his vast influence. Sunday Breakfast airs on WFUV (90.7 FM) in NYC and WFUV.org around the world.

UPDATE 5/2/09 - PBS announced that the MSG concert will be aired as part of their GREAT PERFORMANCES series. No word yet on a DVD release.

UPDATE 5/4/09 - A star-studded medley of musical guests played tribute to Pete Seeger at a benefit concert for the legendary folk singer's 90th b'day. Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Emmylou Harris, Ani DiFranco and John Mellencamp were... continue here

Confirmed artist lineup (subject to change) -

Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow       Ladysmith Black Mambazo
     Quartet
    Ani DiFranco                                       Larry Long
    Arlo Guthrie                                       Michael Franti
    Bela Fleck                                           Mike & Ruthy Merenda
    Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses)              Native American Indian Cultural
    Ben Harper                                                      Alliance
    Bernice Johnson Reagon                     NYC Labor Chorus
    Billy Bragg                                          Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)
    Billy Nershi (String Cheese                   Preservation Hall Jazz Band with
     Incident)                                           Del McCoury
    Bruce Cockburn                                   Ramblin' Jack Elliott
    Bruce Springsteen                               Richie Havens
    Dar Williams                                       Scarlet Moore
    Dave Matthews                                   Silvio Rodriguez
    Eddie Vedder                                       Steve Earle
    Emmylou Harris                                   Taj Mahal
    Guy Davis                                          Tao Rodriguez-Seeger
    Jay Ungar & Molly Mason                      Tom Chapin
    Joan Baez                                          Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine)
    John Mellencamp                                Tom Paxton
    Juanes                                               Tommy Sands
    Kate & Anna McGarrigle                      Tony Trischka
    Keller Williams                                   Toshi Reagon
    Kris Kristofferson                                Warren Haynes