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Elvis Costello |
Elvis Costello has always had one of the greatest work ethics in music. And he has always, whenever possible, used his music to serve the greater good. His 2006 album, The River in Reverse, recorded with Allen Toussaint, was a musical response to the New Orleans tragedy. The album was recorded in New Orleans shortly after the hurricane and featured many musicians from that city as well as members of his own band, The Imposters, with which Costello has just released his latest album, Momofuku.
On June 9 th, Elvis was presented with the Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award at the World Hunger Year’s annual gala in New York City. ASCAP’s Karen Sherry and Allen Toussaint co-presented the award to Costello before an audience of more than 400 people from the political, business, entertainment and non-profit worlds. Costello and Toussaint treated the audience to a performance of three songs from A River in Reverse. Also honored on the same evening was Senator John Edwards and several groups from aound the country who have been influential in their communities in helping to raise awareness and battle the causes of hunger.
Co-founded by the late singer-songwriter and ASCAP member Harry Chapin and radio producer and current Executive Director Billy Ayres in 1975, WHY aims to help create self-reliance, economic justice and equal access to nutritious and affordable food.
ASCAP is a founding sponsor of WHY’s Artists Against Hunger and Poverty.
