Wednesday October 10, 2:13 pm Eastern Time

Press Release

VH1, Cablevision, Miramax Films and AOL Announce the Addition of Backstreet Boys, Michael J. Fox, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, Jimmy Fallon, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe to 'The Concert for New York City'

Paul Shaffer Joins as Musical Director

AOL Makes Unprecedented Commitment to Dedicate All U.S. Customer Service Support to Take Calls For Donations During the Event

'The Concert For New York City' Is a One-Night-Only Fundraising Event to Benefit The Robin Hood Relief Fund Supporting Victims of the Sept. 11th Attack And to Honor the Heroic Rescue Workers

Concert to Be Telecast Live On VH1 On Saturday, October 20th, 8PM (ET/PT) From Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- VH1, Cablevision, Miramax Films and AOL today announced the addition of Backstreet Boys, Michael J. Fox, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, Jimmy Fallon, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, plus Paul Shaffer as musical director to ``The Concert For New York City.'' They join the previously announced all-star line-up of Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, The Who, Bon Jovi, James Taylor, John Mellencamp, Macy Gray, Goo Goo Dolls, Melissa Etheridge, Marc Anthony, Five For Fighting, India.Arie, Jim Carrey, Meg Ryan, Susan Sarandon, David Spade, Julia Stiles, Denis Leary, John Cusack and members of New York sports teams.

Backstreet Boys cancelled a previously scheduled concert in San Diego to lend their presence and support to this one-night only event. Following this heartfelt interruption in their schedule, Backstreet Boys will return to the West Coast to continue their national tour.

Mayor Rudolph W. Guiliani said, ``New Yorkers are united in our resolve to rebuild in the aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center. The spirit of our City is stronger than ever, and it has been bolstered by the extraordinary generosity of individuals throughout our City and across our nation. Now, the Robin Hood Foundation, VH1, Cablevision, Miramax and AOL are organizing 'The Concert For New York City' to benefit the families of the brave firefighters, policemen and many others who lost their lives. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to thank the entertainment industry for using their unique talents to aid our recovery effort. Together, we will rebuild our lives and our City.''

``The Concert For New York City'' will be telecast live on VH1 on Saturday, October 20th at 8:00 PM (ET) from Cablevision's Madison Square Garden in New York City. The concert will benefit the victims of the September 11th attack on New York City and pay tribute to the spirit of New York and the heroism of the rescue workers who worked tirelessly to save others. Five thousand members of the New York Fire, Police and Rescue crews and their families will be in attendance as guests.

Tickets to the public sold out on Monday, Oct. 8, although a limited number of premium tickets remain available through the Robin Hood Foundation's website at http://www.robinhood.org/.

All proceeds from ``The Concert For New York City'' will go to the Robin Hood Relief Fund which was established by the Robin Hood Foundation, a leader in the fight against poverty in New York City. Because its Board of Directors underwrites all administrative costs, Robin Hood will distribute 100% of the money raised for the Relief Fund to the most effective charities helping victims' families, heroic rescue workers, and all others impacted by the economic consequences of this tragedy. In particular, Robin Hood will work to ensure that the needs of lower-income victims are met in both the immediate and long-term, while through its support of the Twin Towers Fund it will aid the families of police, fire, and rescue workers who courageously gave their lives to help others. Robin Hood's online donations are powered by Helping.org which underwrites all transaction costs, ensuring that every penny donated online to the Robin Hood Relief Fund will go to those who need it most.

AOL has made an unprecedented commitment to dedicate its entire U.S. customer service support team, one of the largest in the world, to take calls and Internet donations during the live event. AOL is also providing a webcast, pre-event promotion and information to its millions of members on its flagship service and users of its web properties including Netscape, Compuserve, AOL.Com and AOL's international services.

Paul Shaffer will be joined by the ``CBS Late Show Orchestra'' which will serve as the house band for the concert. Best known as the musical director for ``Late Show With David Letterman'' since its inception, Shaffer has also been the musical producer for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for the past 14 years.

``The Concert For New York City'' will be telecast live and commercial free on VH1 beginning at 8:00 P.M. (ET/PT), reaching more than 80 million U.S. homes. It also will be simulcast on the VH1 Radio Network and Westwood One and carried on digital channels VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul and VH1 Country. It will be seen internationally on VH1 UK and VH1 European, reaching 88 countries. All telecasts will feature a phone number and/or a web address for charitable donations.

Zenith Media Services has come on board as a pro bono media partner to contact thousands of stations and hundreds of newspapers to donate free advertising time and space nationwide to be used to promote ``The Concert For New York City.''

VH1, Cablevision, Miramax Films, AOL and their partners, including Clear Channel Entertainment, will underwrite all costs of the concert and telecast including the facility, production, promotion, travel, and union services to ensure that all money raised will go directly to the organizations listed above.

SOURCE: Robin Hood Foundation