Artists Tori Amos, Colbie Caillat, the Eli Young Band, Melanie Fiona, Demi Lovato, Owl City, Parachute, Jenni Rivera, Paulina Rubio, Patrick Stump, and Sugarland Join MusiCares® "Be A Part Of The Heart" Photo Mosaic Fundraising Campaign

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MusiCares® announced today that Tori Amos, Colbie Caillat, the Eli Young Band, Melanie Fiona, Demi Lovato, Owl City, Parachute, Jenni Rivera, Paulina Rubio, Patrick Stump, and Sugarland are the latest group of artists to join the innovative "Be A Part Of The Heart" fundraising campaign, which invites the public to come together to create an online mosaic comprised of photo tiles. Artists such as Bon Jovi, Black Cards, Taio Cruz, Melissa Etheridge, Selena Gomez, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, and Gloria Trevi uploaded their photos at the launch of the campaign in Feb. 2011.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110913/LA67169LOGO)

"Be A Part Of The Heart" encourages fans, recording artists, and corporate and media partners to come together in a digital photo mosaic to raise awareness and generate resources to help MusiCares continue to provide a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. The initiative also offers a chance to win a trip for two to the 54th Annual GRAMMY® Awards on Feb. 12, 2012*. For more information, visit www.beapartoftheheart.com.

In addition, MusiCares has launched a separate contest in conjunction with its annual MusiCares Person of the Year tribute that will honor Paul McCartney on Feb. 10, which offers music bloggers — professional or amateur — a chance to earn a coveted spot on the red carpet as well as a credential to cover the exclusive concert portion of the event. For complete details on the blogger contest, visit http://blog.musicares.com/2011/09/09/music-blogger-contest/.

"Not only is this a chance for fans to join their favorite artists online in a shared effort to raise funds for MusiCares and help members of our music family," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy, MusiCares, and the GRAMMY Foundation®. "It's also a way for people to join an online community and share their stories about music and its impact on their lives."

The "Be A Part Of The Heart" concept is straightforward. Participants can visit www.beapartoftheheart.com and make a contribution in any amount beginning with $1 to receive an online tile, where they can upload a photo and include their stories and links to websites and social media platforms. There is no limit to the donation amount and the tiles that go with it. Tiles can be created in honor of loved ones, to commemorate important milestones or holidays, and to engage other members of the public. There is also a place to include text about key musical influences.

MusiCares offers programs and services to members of the music community including emergency financial assistance for basic living expenses including rent, utilities and car payments; medical expenses including doctor, dentist and hospital bills; psychotherapy; and treatment for HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, hepatitis C, and other critical illnesses. MusiCares offers nationwide educational workshops covering a variety of subjects, including financial, legal, medical, and substance abuse issues, and programs in collaboration with healthcare professionals that provide services such as flu shots, hearing tests and medical/dental screenings. The MusiCares MAP Fund(SM) allows access to addiction recovery treatment and sober living resources for members of the music community regardless of their financial circumstances. Staffed by qualified chemical dependency and intervention specialists, MusiCares Safe Harbor Rooms offer a support network to those in recovery while they are participating in the production of televised music shows and other major music events. MusiCares holds weekly addiction support groups for people to discuss how to best cope with the issues surrounding the recovery process. The MusiCares Sober Touring Network is a database of individuals across the United States who can take music people to recovery support meetings while on the road.

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. For more information, please visit www.musicares.org.

* NO DONATION REQUIRED TO ENTER OR WIN. A DONATION WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States (including the District of Columbia), 13 years of age or older at time of entry. Void where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes commences at 8:00:00 a.m. Pacific Time ("PT") on 2/14/11 and ends at 8:59:00 p.m. PT on 11/25/11. To enter with or without making a donation, and to view official rules (which govern this Sweepstakes), visit www.beapartoftheheart.com. Sponsor: MusiCares Foundation, Inc.

SOURCE MusiCares