LEMMY, SLASH, MATT SORUM To Perform At Sixth Annual MUSICARES MAP FUND Benefit

The sixth annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert will celebrate Women In Recovery and salute former first lady Betty Ford and the Betty Ford Center at Club Nokia in Los Angeles on Friday, May 7. The evening will pay tribute to Mrs. Ford, a woman who inspired so many through her courage and strength by publicly revealing her personal struggles with addiction, and her incredible work in establishing the Betty Ford Center. Susan Ford Bales will accept the MusiCares MAP Fund award on behalf of her mother. All proceeds will benefit the MusiCares MAP Fund, which provides members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment and sober living resources.

Over the past four years, the MusiCares MAP Fund has provided more than $3.1 million for addiction recovery treatment and sober living care for close to 1,000 clients. In addition, the MusiCares MAP Fund offers free aftercare group weekly meetings across the country.

The evening will feature special performances by Charlotte Caffey and Kathy Valentine (THE GO GO'S) with Leah Randi (former bassist for P!NK),Patty Schemel (former drummer for HOLE) and vocalist Annabella Lwin (BOW WOW WOW),Beth Hart with Grammy-winning guitarist Slash (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES),Exene (X),Corey Parks (NASHVILLE PUSSY) with Grammy-winning artist Lemmy Kilmister (MOTÖRHEAD) and Grammy-winning drummer Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES),and Linda Perry (4 NON BLONDS) with Paul Ill, John Perry, Kellii Scott, and Peter Thorn. Samantha Ronson will DJ live during dinner in memory of the late DJ AM, who DJed for the event last year. Additional artists will be announced shortly.

The evening's focus on women in recovery is prompted in part by recent data — from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Transportation respectively — that indicates that only 8 percent of women who have a problem with addiction seek help, and the number of women abusing alcohol, as indicated by related traffic arrests, has risen 28 percent over the past decade. Women facing addiction often encounter challenges that may be barriers to treatment: a woman may want to avoid the stigma associated with drug addiction and rehab and try to "treat herself" without help, or she may fear losing her children, losing her job, going to jail or other repercussions. In addition, women may need assistance with childcare or medical attention if they are pregnant that many drug rehabilitation centers may not offer. As a result, MusiCares is focusing attention on the issue through this event and other activities, including panel discussions.

"When we looked at the troubling statistics about women and addiction and found that women, in general, are less likely to get the treatment they need, we recognized that our annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit would be an ideal opportunity to draw attention to this important issue," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and MusiCares. "Not only will this evening help generate critical resources for members of the music community who are struggling with addiction, but by honoring Betty Ford and her enduring commitment to recovery, we hope to shed light on the obstacles to treatment that women continue to encounter and the vital paths to recovery."

"In accepting this award you honor not only me, but all women and families who have taken a step toward recovery," said Mrs. Ford. "I am proud of the women who have struggled with the disease of addiction, and have the courage and determination to help not only themselves but their families." Her daughter and Betty Ford Center Chair, Susan Ford Bales, notes, "I know my mother is honored and even humbled by this award. I hope that it serves as motivation and a beacon of hope for other women and families to follow her example."

This special dinner and concert offers Living Room Sets that seat 10 for $12,500, Individual Floor Seats for $1,250 per person, and VIP Balcony Seats for $150. Contact Wynnie Wynn at 310.392.3777 or [email protected] for tickets and information. General admission balcony tickets are available for $35 each through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com. Out of respect for the clients the MusiCares MAP Fund serves, the event will be alcohol-free.