LIONSGATE SIGNS FIRST-LOOK DEAL WITH OSCAR® NOMINEE AND GRAMMY WINNER® MARY J. BLIGE

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 26, 2019  -- G® winner and Oscar® nominated megastar Mary J. Bligehas signed an exclusive first-look television deal with global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) to develop and produce television series under her newly-launched Blue Butterfly productions. The multifaceted singer-songwriter-actress will also have the opportunity to create content across Lionsgate's array of business platforms.

rammy

Multi-platinum record selling artist and Academy Award® nominee, Mary J. Blige has established herself as an icon and role model in the entertainment industry. She has over a dozen hit studio albums and recently appeared in the Oscar®nominated film Mudbound earning her dual nominations for her acting and music. She is currently starring in Netflix's hit series "The Umbrella Academy" and her upcoming projects include films like Violent Heart and Body Cam. Mary will also be launching a highly-anticipated North American music tour with R&B artist Nas this summer.

"Mary is a very talented artist, fearless visionary and an incredible human being. We're delighted to be working with someone with such a powerful and impactful creative voice," said Lionsgate Television Group Chairman Kevin Beggs. "Every art she touches blossoms and we're humbled she's chosen us as her home. We look forward to all the exciting new content Mary and her Blue Butterfly banner will bring to our television slate and Lionsgate 360 orbit."

"I couldn't be more excited to be working with Lionsgate. They are incredible collaborators and have been natural partners from when we first started talking. I can't wait to bring all of our projects to life," said Mary J. Blige.

Mary J. Blige is the latest artist to partner with Lionsgate on developing content. The Company's growing roster of elite talent relationships include Courtney Kemp, Jonathan Levine, Matt Kunitz, Mona-Scott Young, Cassian Elwes, the Erwin Brothers, Eugenio Derbez, and Yvette Lee Bowser, among others.

Mary J. Blige is represented by APA, The Lede Company and Grubman Shire & Meiselas.

ABOUT LIONSGATE

The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global content leader whose films, television series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation audiences around the world. In addition to its filmed entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, video games, esports and other new entertainment technologies.  Lionsgate's content initiatives are backed by a nearly 17,000-title film and television library and delivered through a global sales and distribution infrastructure.  The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the Company's worldwide consumer base.

BETRAYING THE MARTYRS Releases New Single, Music Video and Album Details

 

New Single 'Parasite' Out Now - Watch the New Music Video Here

 

New Album, Rapture, out September 13, 2019 via Sumerian Records | Pre-Order Here

 

Album art by Valentin Hauser featuring original art, "Pestilence View", by Searing Limb

 

French deathcore heavyweights BETRAYING THE MARTYRS recently teased the upcoming release of their fourth full-length studio album, Rapture, preparing fans for what they describe as their "ultimate" album. Today, the band has revealed more new album details, plus a new music video for the single "Parasite". The video can be viewed now via the Sumerian Records YouTube channel in anticipation of the album's release via the label on September 13, 2019.

 

"Parasite" is a barrage of punishing riffs and crushing grooves, and a true depiction of what's to come on their next full-length release. Check out the stunning video, directed by Igor Omodei, here: https://youtu.be/Y3a5D1nItkE

 

Vocalist Aaron Matts comments on the single and video: "The song is a subject that I've wanted to touch on for quite some time now. It speaks of an internal battle of the minds between myself and that evil self that I'm sure we all have and know all too well. The story speaks of the innocent untainted self that ultimately trumps and returns to defeat this metaphorical parasite of depression and anxiety. The song is more of a celebration of overcoming a dark period in my life, but can be seen from more than one perspective. We're in love with the music video - Igor did a fantastic job as he always does, and we absolutely cannot wait for people to see what we've been working so hard on!"

 

"Parasite" follows the single "Eternal Machine", which is currently approaching 200k views on YouTube. Both tracks will appear on Rapture. Check out "Eternal Machine" here: https://youtu.be/u7J4cXFpCZ0

 

Pre-orders for Rapture are available now here: http://smarturl.it/BTMRapture

Merch bundles are available here: www.btmrapture.com

 

Rapture promises to deliver many more neck-breaking metal tracks packed with huge hooks and melodies. The sextet set out to create their most impressive release yet and have exceeded all expectations with Rapture. Tracks like "Incarcerated" depict how deep the band is willing to go down the personal rabbit hole lyrically, while songs like "Rapture" and "Imagine" showcase the true span of the band's musical spectrum - proving that any metal fan can find something to love on Rapture.

 

Aaron comments on Rapture: "Rapture for us is a product of each one of our experiences up until this moment; each moment lived on the road, and every drop of inspiration picked up along the way. Written musically in the only way we know how, we took each one of our musical tastes and formed it into the ultimate album for ourselves, hoping that it will translate and fall onto the ears of the listeners the same way it falls onto ours. Rapture is a musical journey through each one of our minds, lyrics that come from both the darkest and lightest corners of our souls. We put everything into this one, leaving behind any preconceptions, and what came out the other side is something that we're all so proud of, and we hope that the listener will feel it within themselves also."

 

Rapture track listing:

1- Ignite

2- Eternal Machine

3- Down

4- The Iron Gates

5- Parasite

6- The Sound of Letting You Go

7- The Swarm

8- Monster

9- Imagine

10- Incarcerated

11- Rapture

 

Rapture was produced by BETRAYING THE MARTYRS, with individual instrument and recording duties carried out by Tomás Raclavský at Babylon Studio in Jenikov, Czech Republic, Lucas d'Angelo at Dangelosound Studio in Paris, France, and Justin Paul Hill at Whitehouse Studios in Reading, United Kingdom. Rapture was mixed and mastered by Henrik Udd at Henrik Udd Studio in Sweden.

 

BETRAYING THE MARTYRS will soon announce a full European headline tour. In the meantime, the band is about to kick off their first headline tour of North America! The "Summer Rapture Tour 2019," also featuring support from Entheos, Within Destruction, Sentinels and Defying Decay, will kick off this week on June 28 in Stanhope, N.J. See below for a full listing of currently announced North American tour dates:

 

BETRAYING THE MARTYRS Summer Rapture Tour 2019

w/ Entheos, Within Destruction, Sentinels and Defying Decay:

6/28 - Stanhope, NJ @ The Stanhope House

6/29 - Frederick, MD @ Cafe 611

6/30 - Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero

7/1 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Purgatory)

7/2 - Ybor City, FL @ Crowbar

7/3 - Orlando, FL @ Soundbar

7/5 - Houston, TX @ White Oak

7/6 - Ft. Worth, TX @ Tomcats West

7/7 - Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live

7/8 - Albuquerque, NM @ The Launchpad

7/9 - Mesa, AZ @ Club Red (Small Room)

7/10 - Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

7/11 - Orangevale, CA @ The Boardwalk

7/12 - Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom

7/13 - Armstrong, BC @ Hassen Memorial Arena

7/14 - Seattle, WA @ Club Sur Rocks

7/16 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court

7/17 - Denver, CO @ The Roxy Theatre

7/18 - Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room

7/19 - Des Moine, IA @ Vaudeville Mews

7/20 - Minneapolis, MN @ The Whiskey Junction

7/21 - Cudahy, WI @ X-Ray Arcade

7/22 - Joliet, IL @ The Forge

7/23 - Hamtramck, MI @ The Sanctuary

7/24 - Toronto, ON @ Rockpile West

7/25 - Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks

7/26 - Quebec, QC @ L'Anti Bar & Spectacles

7/27 - Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater Underground

7/28 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Kingsland

 

 BETRAYING THE MARTYRS Press Photo by Marc Sharp

 

 

About BETRAYING THE MARTYRS:

Based in Paris, France, and featuring members from France and the UK, BETRAYING THE MARTYRS' approach to brutality and melody has established them as one of the most unique bands unrivalled in any genre.

 

Their stunning debut offering, Breath In Life (2011), made a huge impact in North America and Europe and quickly established BETRAYING THE MARTYRS as one of the hottest new bands around. Coupled with relentless touring and high-profile festival appearances including Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and All Stars, the band quickly built a strong fan base, which would only continue to grow throughout their career.

 

Their second album, Phantom (2014), saw BETRAYING THE MARTYRS take their live show to the next level, earning them slots at the biggest European festivals, including Grass Pop, With Full Force, Resurrection Festival and more, and reach entirely new audiences with their cover of 'Let it Go' from the movie Frozen.

 

In 2016, BETRAYING THE MARTYRS joined forces with esteemed producer Justin Hill to create third album The Resilient, a record that cemented the band as the European kings of 21^stcentury metal. The Resilient showcased their newfound focus on songwriting, which earned them many more huge touring opportunities - including a slot on the Summer Slaughter Tour (US), and further propelled them to become one of today's most important heavy acts.

 

2019 will see the band embark on a global headline tour and raise the bar even further with their highly anticipated fourth album Rapture.

 

BETRAYING THE MARTYRS is:

Vocals: Aaron Matts

Keyboard/Vocals: Victor Guillet

Guitar: Steeves Hostin

Guitar: Baptiste Vigier

Bass: Valentin Hauser

Drums: Boris Le Gal

BETRAYING THE MARTYRS online:

www.betrayingthemartyrs.com

www.facebook.com/WeAreBetrayingTheMartyrs

www.instagram.com/betrayingthemartyrs

SMOOTH HOUND SMITH SHARES HYPNOTIC TITLE TRACK TO REFLECTIVE THIRD ALBUM & ANNOUNCES TOUR DATES DOG IN A MANGER OUT AUGUST 9 VIA TONE TREE ENJOY / SHARE "DOG IN A MANGER" AT PARADE

New York, NY (June 26, 2019) – Smooth Hound Smith – husband-and-wife duo Zack Smith and Caitlin Doyle-Smith – will release Dog In A Manger on August 9 via Tone Tree. The reflective third album came about after the sudden passing of Zack’s father from a rapid illness. The results channel deep emotion into arrangements that somehow feel at once timeless and immediate. The lyrics never recount the events underlying the project, yet through understatement and insightful irony they tap into the urgency that often flows below the surface of everyday living. Parade premiered the hypnotic title track ahead of its release this Friday via all digital platforms calling it, "hauntingly beautiful." Enjoy and share "Dog In A Manger" HERE. “‘Dog’ is probably my favorite piece of music overall on this new record,” says Zack. “The title comes from a Greek fable and is now used as an idiom to speak of one who, out of spite, prevents others from succeeding or finding happiness.  “It’s an attempt to unpack a lot of my personal baggage in regards to entering a new period in my life: the idea of getting married and staying committed for a lifetime, and the personal changes and sacrifices I’m required to make." The songs on Dog in a Manger's tracklist salute the far corners of the Americana world, touching upon everything from greasy, big-city blues to acoustic folk. There are slide guitar solos, coed harmonies, a Fleetwood Mac cover and a cameo by the North Mississippi Allstars' Luther Dickinson tossed into the mix, too. The album is the third effort from the duo, and while their previous releases evince their unique vocal blend and ability to coax compelling music from minimal instrumentation, Dog In A Manger brings it all to a higher level of expression. Smooth Hound Smith recently announced a massive tour in support of Dog In A Manger. Following a run of July performances, the band starts in the south on August 23, heading north up to Maine before turning across the country, ending in Phoenix on November 9. A full list of tour dates can be found below with more to be added. Smooth Hound Smith Tour Dates Jul 04 - Charlotte, NC @ U.S. National Whitewater Center Jul 17 - Appleton, WI @ Concerts In The Courtyard Jul 18 - Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall Jul 19 - Ann Arbor, MI @ Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair Jul 20 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Founders Brewing Co. Jul 26 - Kankakee, IL @ Merchant Street MusicFest Aug 23 - Tuscaloosa, AL @ Druid City Music Festival Aug 24 - Chattanooga, TN @ Songbirds Aug 25 - Atlanta, GA @  Park Tavern Sunset Sessions Sep 01 - Nashville, TN @ Live on the Green Sep 20 - Charlottesvile, VA @ The Southern Sep 23 - Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle Sep 24 - Washington, DC @ Pie Shop Sep 25 - New York City, NY @ Mercury Lounge Sep 26 - Cambridge, MA @ Atwoods Tavern Sep 27 - Portsmouth, NH @ The Press Room Sep 28 - Portland, ME @ Portland House Sep 29 - North Truro, MA @ Vinegrass Festival Oct 01 - Montreal, QC @ Quai Des Brumes Oct 03 - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern Oct 05 - King of Prussia, PA @ workhorse Brewery Oct 06 - Pittsburgh PA @ Club Cafe Oct 11 - Newport, KY @ Southgate House Revival Oct 12 - Lexington, KY @ The Burl Oct 16 - St. Louis, MO @ Old Rock House Oct 17 - Arlington Heights, IL @ Hey Nonny Oct 18 - Berwyn, IL @ Fitzgerald's Oct 19 - Kaukauna, WI @ Calmes' Pub Oct 20 - St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club Oct 26 - Denver, CO @ Lost Lake Lounge Nov 07 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hotel Cafe Nov 08 - Costa Mesa, CA @ The Wayfarer Nov 09 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge

Dog In a Manger Track List 1 - Life Isn't Fair 2 - One In The Morning 3 - Dog In A Manger 4 - Backslide 5 - Waiting For A Spark 6 - I Got My Eyes On You 7 - Three Shades Of Lonely (feat. Luther Dickinson) 8 - Used To Be Your Man 9 - Second Hand News 10 - Truck Stop Shower https://www.smoothhoundsmith.com/ https://www.instagram.com/smoothhoundsmith/ https://www.youtube.com/user/SmoothHoundSmith https://twitter.com/TheSmoothHound

PBS' 39th Annual A CAPITOL FOURTH, The Longest Running Live National July 4th TV Tradition, Hosted By TV Legend John Stamos!

This July 4th, A CAPITOL FOURTH continues its 39-year tradition of celebrating our nation's independence on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol building.  Two-time Emmy Award-nominated actor and producer John Stamos (Netflix's YOU, FULLER HOUSE, ER) returns to host the country's longest-running live national July 4th TV tradition.  A CAPITOL FOURTH's family-friendly Independence Day celebration will commemorate our country's 243rd birthday with all-star musical performances, and remains unaffiliated with any other July 4th events around the country, and in other locations in Washington, D.C.

The 39th annual edition of A CAPITOL FOURTH will feature: Grammy Award-winning music legend Carole King with the Broadway cast of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning musical BEAUTIFUL starring Vanessa Carlton; multi-award winning electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling; acclaimed Tony-nominated singer-songwriter and actress Keala Settle (THE GREATEST SHOWMAN);  multi-platinum recording artist and star of television, film and the Broadway stage Vanessa Williams; double ACM winner, CMA and Grammy nominee with more than 12 million in RIAA certified sales and early member of Pandora's Billionaires Club Lee Brice; Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat with her new band Gone West; five-time Grammy Award-winning Gospel vocalist extraordinaire Yolanda Adams; 2019 AMERICAN IDOL winner Laine Hardy; singing sensation Angelica Hale (AMERICA'S GOT TALENT); and this year's winner of THE VOICE (Season 16), Maelyn Jarmon, performing the "National Anthem;" with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. 

The concert will also feature a special treat for the entire family, with Big Bird, Abby Cadabby, Rosita, Elmo, Grover, Bert & Ernie from SESAME STREET on hand to celebrate America's birthday.  The Sesame Street Muppets will perform a musical medley of patriotic favorites and iconic songs from the groundbreaking children's television series, currently celebrating a landmark 50 years of learning and fun. 

And, the concert will pay tribute to our men and women in uniform with a special performance by the MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band and John Stamos. MusiCorps is a conservatory-level music rehabilitation program, formed in response to the needs of service members injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2007, the program has become a pioneer in the field of adaptive music and has helped countless wounded warriors in their recovery. This inspiring moment will be dedicated to our troops serving around the world, their families, and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, fighting for our freedom.  

The 39th annual broadcast of A CAPITOL FOURTH airs on PBS Thursday, July 4, 2019 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.  The program can also be heard live in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide.  The concert will also be streaming live on Facebook, YouTube and www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth and available as Video on Demand for a limited time only, July 4 to July 18, 2019.

The top-rated, award-winning program will be capped off with fireworks over our nation's iconic skyline and a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, an audience favorite and A CAPITOL FOURTH tradition.

UnderwritersA CAPITOL FOURTH is made possible by grants from The Boeing Company, the National Park Service, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Department of the Army, PBS and public television stations nationwide.  Air travel is provided by American Airlines.

SOURCE Capital Concerts

THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
REVEAL NORTH AMERICAN
FALL TOUR DATES

NEW MUSIC FORTHCOMING

photo credit: Ebru Yildiz

“Pure, blissfully irresistible  power-pop…its catalog just gets more formidable.”  “AC Newman and Neko Case don’t miss a beat…power-pop with quirky synth accents from a collective that  hasn’t faltered yet.” “The New Pornographers are the best pop band in the world today.”  “…songs suited for big rooms, all huge choruses and shimmering synthesizers.”

Critically acclaimed The New Pornographers are set to tour North America this fall, kicking off the run of dates in Woodstock, NY on September 19. Presale begins tomorrow, June 26 at 10am local. Sign up at thenewpornographers.com now for access to the presale.

The tour includes dates at Chicago’s Vic Theatre, Washington, DC’s 9:30 Club andNew York’s Brooklyn Steel, see below for a complete itinerary. New music from the band is forthcoming, details to be announced.

The band’s highly regarded live shows have elicited much praise. KEXP remarked how they “nail every three-part harmony and hard-stop ending with conviction,” while The Independent described their performance as “a blistering, steamrollering set from a well-drilled troupe with talent to burn.” Of a recent LA show, Consequence of Sound said, “they sounded better than they ever have. With often eight people onstage, four different lead vocalists, and a wide arrange of auxiliary instrumentation, the sound was impeccably mixed to highlight just the right Pornographer at just the right time. It was a performance that their history and music deserved. It was simply great.”

The New Pornographers have released seven studio albums to date including their most recent, Whiteout Conditions. The first album released on their own imprint, Collected Works Records, in partnership with Concord Records, the album received widespread acclaim, and was hailed as “rich with new wave synths and closely blended harmonies” by Pitchfork and “uplifting three to four minute indie-pop numbers, imbued with lush vocals” by Rolling Stone.

THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS LIVE

August 17	Toronto, ON	*Danforth Music Hall
September 19	Woodstock, NY	Levon Helm Studios
September 27	Madison, WI	Majestic Theatre
September 28	Urbana, IL	Pygmalion Music Festival
September 29	Columbia, MO	Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival
October 1	Minneapolis, MN	First Avenue
October 2	Chicago, IL	Vic Theatre
October 3	Detroit, MI	Majestic Theatre
November 4	Boston, MA	Royale
November 5	Washington, DC	9:30 Club
November 7	Brooklyn, NY	Brooklyn Steel
November 8	Philadelphia, PA	Union Transfer
November 10	Saxapahaw, NC	Haw River Ballroom
November 11	Asheville, NC	The Orange Peel
November 12	Atlanta, GA	Buckhead Theatre

*Danforth 100^th Anniversary Show Series

CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Anders Osborne Solo

The Ready Room

Friday, August 16th

Doors 7pm  Show 8pm

$23 Tickets

All Ages

(Tickets On-Sale 6/28 at 10am)

 

https://youtu.be/GU_fTBYoZM4

At one point on his 2019 album, Buddha and The Blues, Anders Osborne sings, “Oh, it’s a miracle we still care. Oh, it’s so wonderful we’re still here. We’re still here!”
He’s not going anywhere either…
Osborne’s six-string virtuosity, inventive musicality, and poetic songcraft underpin an ever-expanding three-decade catalog celebrated by fans and critics alike. As a sought-after studio talent, his writing resounds through Keb Mo’s GRAMMY® Award-winning Slow Down, Tim McGraw’s number one “Watch The Wind Blow By,” and covers by Brad Paisley, Jonny Lang, Edwin McCain, Aaron Neville, and more. His output live and in the studio spans working with everyone from Eric Church, Toots and the Maytals, and John Scofield to The Meters, North Mississippi Allstars, and Galactic. His extensive touring history encompasses gigs, collaborations, and performances alongside everyone from Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, and Stanton Moore to The Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh and Jackie Greene. Not to mention, he lights up the screen on an episode of the HBO hit Treme. Plus, he has garnered acclaim from USA Today, Guitar Player, Relix, Offbeat, and more.

The Motet: Speed of Light Tour

with Exmag

Sunday, December 15th

Doors 7pm Show 8pm

$20 Tickets

All Ages

(Tickets On-Sale 6/28 at 10am)

https://youtu.be/syA4XN97Dt8 

Throughout history, unity starts on the dancefloor. From ancient tribal cultures to neon night clubs, beats bring bodies together. Once grinding and grooving in unison, the movement generates friction, sparks, and light. That might just be the purest form of energy on the planet. The Motet harness such energy on their ninth full-length, Death or Devotion. In fact, the Denver septet—Dave Watts [drums], Joey Porter [keys], Garrett Sayers [bass], Ryan Jalbert [guitar], Lyle Divinsky [vocals], Drew Sayers [sax], and Parris Fleming [trumpet]—encode a message in their energetic mélange of boisterous badass funk, swaggering soul, and thought-provoking pop. In the process, they challenge convention and arrive with a dynamic, diverse, and definitive statement. “The essence is always going to be the groove, but we wanted to expand the idea of what a funk album could be,” says Lyle. “Of course, you want a driving backbeat. However, with the division that’s going on in this country and the world, I think it’s every artist’s responsibility to create a conversation. That conversation doesn’t have to be political either. It can be about love or an introspective journey. I think the commentary should be on what it’s like to be alive today. By drawing on funk, we create a fun, palatable musical vehicle for the message to go down. Our goal is for you to recognize we’re all dancing on the same dance floor—even though our steps may look a little different.”

Old Rock House

Making Concerts Happen Since 2010

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  CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENT
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• WYNONNA & THE BIG NOISE
• Sunday, Aug. 25
• Du Quoin State Fair
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  • ticket

    Tickets · $13 - $19 via Ticketmaster

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Letter From The Michael Jackson Estate On The 10th Anniversary Of His Passing

LOS ANGELES, June 25, 2019  -- Ten years ago today, the world lost a gifted artist and extraordinary humanitarian. The entire global community joined in grieving during a powerful and emotional memorial service witnessed by more people than had ever viewed a live event before. Messages of condolences from Nelson Mandela and others were read as was a poem written for the occasion by the esteemed Maya Angelou. Berry Gordy Jr., founder of Motown, eulogized his protégé by saying, "…the King of Pop is not big enough for him. I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived." United in grief, the world wept not only at the loss of an artistic genius but at the void left by the loss of a father, son and brother.A decade later, Michael Jackson is still with us, his influence embedded in dance, fashion, art and music of the moment. He is more important than ever. But the true measure of Michael was his giving to others which came in many forms. He comforted the unfortunate at hospitals, in long term care facilities and at halfway houses. He equipped Neverland Ranch with medical facilities to accommodate patients seeking refuge from their lonely hospital rooms, and thousands came. He visited troops on bases around the world serving their country. Guinness World Records acknowledged his efforts with an award for Most Charities Supported by a Pop Star.  

Letter From The Michael Jackson Estate On The 10th Anniversary Of His Passing

LOS ANGELES, June 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten years ago today, the world lost a gifted artist and extraordinary humanitarian. The entire global community joined in grieving during a powerful and emotional memorial service witnessed by more people than had ever viewed a live event before. Messages of condolences from Nelson Mandela and others were read as was a poem written for the occasion by the esteemed Maya Angelou. Berry Gordy Jr., founder of Motown, eulogized his protégé by saying, "…the King of Pop is not big enough for him. I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived." United in grief, the world wept not only at the loss of an artistic genius but at the void left by the loss of a father, son and brother.A decade later, Michael Jackson is still with us, his influence embedded in dance, fashion, art and music of the moment. He is more important than ever. But the true measure of Michael was his giving to others which came in many forms. He comforted the unfortunate at hospitals, in long term care facilities and at halfway houses. He equipped Neverland Ranch with medical facilities to accommodate patients seeking refuge from their lonely hospital rooms, and thousands came. He visited troops on bases around the world serving their country. Guinness World Records acknowledged his efforts with an award for Most Charities Supported by a Pop Star.

A decade later, Michael Jackson is still with us, his influence embedded in dance, fashion, art and music of the moment. He is more important than ever. But the true measure of Michael was his giving to others which came in many forms. He comforted the unfortunate at hospitals, in long term care facilities and at halfway houses. He equipped Neverland Ranch with medical facilities to accommodate patients seeking refuge from their lonely hospital rooms, and thousands came. He visited troops on bases around the world serving their country. Guinness World Records acknowledged his efforts with an award for Most Charities Supported by a Pop Star.

n a world where numbers are the measure of a man, Michael Jackson is a resounding success, whether by his 16 #1 singles and 8 #1 albums in the US or the fact that his album Thriller is owned by more people on the planet than any album ever made and Thriller the short film is the only music video to have been inducted into the National Film Registry. And when mastery of a craft is the measure, Michael Jackson's divine abilities remain the yardstick by which others are measured and against which today's masters still measure themselves.

But we best remember Michael by paying tribute to his legacy of philanthropic work and ask music fans everywhere to make a difference in their community - whether it's planting a tree, volunteering at a shelter, cleaning up a public space or helping someone who is lost find their way. "I believe each person can make a difference in the life of someone in need," he said. This is how we honor Michael.

– THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL JACKSON