With Victoria currently coming to terms with the devastation caused by last weekend’s horrifying bushfires, some of which are still burning, Australia’s music industry is banding together to support the victims and their families. It’s been reported widely in the past couple of days that Kylie Minogue will team up with sister Dannii and Natalie Imbruglia to perform a benefit concert in London, while Channel 9’s telecast on Thursday night brought together some of Australia’s rock royalty, in the process raising in excess of $21 million.
Sony Music has also announced that it will release a CD called “Bushfire Aid’, featuring 20 tracks donated by some of their brightest stars in order to raise funds for the Salvation Army’s Bushfire Appeal. Artists featured will include Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy, John Farnham, the Hoodoo Gurus, Wes Carr and the John Butler Trio, plus international artists like Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. The album is being rush-released into stores and will be available as of early this week.
Meanwhile, Dutch violinist Andre Rieu has also been touched by the tragedy and will rush-release a CD single of new instrumental song ‘Yours Forever’ on Wednesday February 18. All proceeds from the sales of the CD single will go directly to the Red Cross’s Bushfire Relief fund.
You can also make a difference by donating directly to the RED CROSS.
UPDATE – FEBRUARY 16, 2009 : Andre Rieu’s single ‘Yours Forever’ has been slightly delayed and will now hit stores on Monday February 23. The Sony Music ‘Bushfire Aid’ CD is now a 2CD set and will feature 35 tracks including songs from Beyonce, Jessica Mauboy, Empire Of The Sun, Vanessa Amorosi, Justin Timberlake and more.