MusicMonday: Benefit Concerts

As we say good-bye to August and the big summer music festivals, it's time to turn our attention to concerts that are coming up in the months ahead. Two big benefit concerts were formalized today:

• JAY-Z will play a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City on September 11 that will also air exclusively in HD and commercial-free live on Fuse. All proceeds will go towards the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, the organization that has been helping New York City families of fallen first responders for over 25 years. "Answer the Call" will be held on the eighth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks -- and happens to fall on the same day JAY-Z's 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3 is released. Click here for ticket information from ticketmaster.com.
  


• On October 13, Keith Urban (right) and Vince Gill (left) will co-host an all-star concert to raise money for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, with guests including Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Faith Hill. Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum are also scheduled to perform, with more acts expected to be announced. The all-star show is part of the museum's "All for the Hall" fundraising initiative created and led by Gill since 2005. The concert, to be held at Nashville's Sommet Center, will open with a one-hour set by Urban and his band. Then, Gill will join Urban and an all-star band to bring out special guests. Tickets are only $25 and go on sale this Wednesday at 10:30 AM via ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations and the Sommet Center Box Office. Tickets may also be charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Click here for more information.
  

Notes:

• Take a moment to remember DJ AM in a great collaboration with Travis Barker here.
• And there's still time to view Pearl Jam's new video here -- and share your thoughts by voting in the poll at left.
• Lastly, the MusicMonday column will not appear next week in honor of the Labor Day holiday.