An upcoming
benefit concert at Madison Square Garden for those affected
by Hurricane Katrina will be available live on pay-per-view
television. Major cable operators will give all
proceeds to support the long-term relief and
rebuilding efforts on the Gulf Coast, it was announced
Thursday. The telecast, which will be available at a cost of
$19.95 to viewers, will begin Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Eastern.
The "Big Apple to
the Big Easy" concert will feature performers
including Simon & Garfunkel, Jimmy Buffett, Elton John,
Lenny Kravitz, Bette Midler, Elvis Costello, John
Fogerty, and Diana Krall. New Orleans natives the
Neville Brothers and the Meters will also play. All
money raised through sponsorship and ticket sales will go to
various relief funds. Madison Square Garden has also
pledged a $1 million donation. The show will also
extend across the city to Radio City Music Hall, where
Dave Matthews, Tom Waits, Trey Anastasio, John Mayer, and
others will perform. The participating cable operators are
Adelphia, Cablevision, Charter, EchoStar's DISH
Network, and DirecTV, along with iN Demand partners
Bright House Networks, Comast, Cox Communications, and
Time Warner cable systems. (AP)