A litany of the world's most talented music industry artists will perform at the 32nd annual MusiCares Persons of the Year benefit gala honoring Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson on Feb. 3, 2023 — two days before the 2023 GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5.
The Recording Academy has announced the following GRAMMY Award nominated and winning artists will all perform in tribute at this year's MusiCares concert: Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow, Lalah Hathaway, The Isley Brothers, Samara Joy, John Legend, Michael Mcdonald, Jimmie Allen, Pj Morton, Valerie Simpson, Mumford & Sons, Lionel Richie, The Temptations, Trombone Shorty, Molly Tuttle, and Sebastián Yatra, and Chloe x Halle. Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipients Dionne Warwick and the Four Tops, will also perform, as well as singer/songwriter Rita Wilson. Fellow Detroit native, Greg Phillinganes, will join the special evening as Musical Director.
This year's MusiCares tribute will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center and includes a reception and silent auction, followed by a dinner and the concert. Performers will pay tribute to the individual Motown musical legacies created by Gordy and Robinson, as well as the music they created together during their decades-long friendship.
"I am so excited to share the always wonderful MusiCares event with my best friend Smokey Robinson and I can't wait to hear these wonderful artists celebrate the Motown music," says Berry Gordy, founder of Motown.
"I'm so excited for this year’s MusiCares lineup. These artists are my friends and I not only love them, but I'm honored that they will be performing my music, along with hits from the Motown catalogue," added Smokey Robinson.
The event will provide essential support for MusiCares, the leading music charity providing music professionals health and human services across a spectrum of needs, a philanthropic ambition shared by legends and honorees, Gordy and Robinson.
"We're bringing together such a unique lineup of artists not only to pay tribute to Mr. Gordy, Mr. Robinson and Motown, but also to raise awareness of the critical health and social service needs within the music community," said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. "The funds raised from Persons of the Year will allow MusiCares to continue to provide vital services throughout the year to the music community and continue to serve those who make the songs and events we all love possible."
Since 1991, money raised from this gala has gone toward MusiCares programs and services that assist the music community, including physical and mental health, addiction recovery, preventative clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies, and disaster relief. This year's event has been made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including AEG, ELS STUDIO 3D Premium Audio, Meta, United Airlines, Wasserman Foundation, and product donations from GREY GOOSE Vodka, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and FIJI Water.
"We are thrilled to see such an incredible array of talented performers coming together to honor Smokey and Berry, two legends who have helped define modern music," said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. "This celebration spotlights MusiCares' ongoing commitment to serve all music people and we look forward to an unforgettable night."
Gordy and Robinson join a prestigious list of recent MusiCares honorees including Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac, Dolly Parton, and Aerosmith.