News

Eric Clapton And John Mayer Assist Hurricane Katrina Efforts On CNN

4 Sep 05

Eric Clapton was joined by John Mayer for a special acoustic performance of “Broken Hearted” on CNN’s “How You Can Help” broadcast. It was hosted on CNN by Larry King on Saturday evening – 3 September, 2005. The men performed live from CNN’s New York City studios. “Broken Hearted” is from Clapton’s 1998 CD, “Pilgrim”. The show aired live from 8PM to 11PM EST.

It was announced during the broadcast that Clapton will donate the C.F. Martin & Company acoustic guitar he played on the show to the “Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert” which will take place on 17 September 2005 at the Rose Theater in New York City. The concert is being organized by jazz great, Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Eric’s guitar will be auctioned along with numerous other items to raise additional relief funds.

New Orleans native Harry Connick, Jr. was interviewed by host Larry King during the show about the devestation he witnessed in his home city the day before. LeAnn Rimes, who was born in Mississippi and gave a concert in Biloxi the week before the storm, performed live via satellite from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Other guests included former President Bill Clinton, Sela Ward, Bill Cosby, Celine Dion and numerous officials from relief organizations working in the Gulf Coast region.

The program also provided viewers with phone numbers, web sites and other contact information for organizations assisting in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. It was simulcast on CNN International and CNN Radio.

View the video of Eric Clapton and John Mayer at http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/09/03/king.help/index.html

To assist with the relief efforts, visit www.redcross.org