Jeff and I attended the National Association of Recording Arts & Sciences "Sounds of Change" which was held at the Ebell Theater in Los Angeles. "Sounds of Change" highlighted the role that music has playe din key moments of our social, cultural and political history.

The performers included:

Grammy Nominee: Natasha Bedingfield performing John Lennon's "Imagine" (Jeff has a whole new respect for the top 40 pop star after hearing her sing an awesome rendition).

Grammy Winner: Music Legend John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival) performing his relatively new song: Deja Vu and clsoing with the classic: Fortunate Son

Grammy Winner & Music Legend Jerry Lee Lewis who performed a couple of rock and roll numbers including the party favorite: Great Balls of Fire! (Jeff thought he kicked butt and he did. I saw him open for the rock band "X" years ago and he is a great performer).

Grammy Nominee Chrisette Michele sang "We Shall Overcome"

Grammy Nominee Ryan Shaw opened the Grammy Foundation Event with a classic Sam Cooke tune.

Grammy Nominee Musiq Soulchild nailed Bob Marley's: Redemption Song.

DJ Hapa from the 'Scratch Academy' showed off his digital scratching techniques while blending a montage of music from BIGGIE to Marvin. Speaking of Marvin, Ryan, Musiq and Natasha closed the show with Marvin Gaye's classic: What's Goin On.

I had the good fortune to meet Natasha's mom, Molly Bedingfield, at the cocktail reception following the presentation. Molly is the founder of Global Angels, a charity with a mission "To make the world a safer and kinder place for all children." Check out the website and DONATE!! Even small amounts can assist with their 5 causes:
1) To Feed and educate children living in poverty.
2) To Empower Street children and orphans.
3) To provide Freedom, Rehabilitation and Protection to trafficked children and child slaves.
4) To provide acces to clean water to all children, and protecting those taht are under the ravages of environmental change.
5) To support Children living with disability or life threatening illness.
Their PROMISE is that every dollar they receive from public donations will go directly to support projects working with children at grass-root levels.

I also ran into singer/songwriter Amanda Holmes who is active with GRAMMY U while studying at USC. Jeff and I met her and her friends at the Red Bull mixer last week. She was promoting her performance which was upcoming at Aura in Studio City. Unfortunately Jeff and I worked and made it to the nightclub too late to catch her set. I'm looking forward to hearing her music.

Another highlight was spotting Rupert Boneham who was my wife's favorite 'survivor':



What was Rupert doing at a music industry event?

He is the Vice-President of I Saw You on TV, a brand new record label featuring over 160 artists! Jeff and I talked to him briefly and met two other execs from the label. I'm looking forward to hearing (and playing) the comedians, reality stars, movie instrumentals and other tracks that they'll be releasing in the summer of 2008.

All-in-all, it was a great night and I'm looking forward to the 50th Anniversary Grammy Awards this Sunday. The NARAS after-party will feature Cyndi Lauper and Natasha Bedingfield. Should be a fun night with Zan, Keith and my cousin Brian.