"From the Big Apple to the Big Easy," a star-studded concert being held Tuesday night at New York City's Madison Square Garden, is being made available for live viewing via pay-per-view — with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward Hurricane Katrina relief and rebuilding efforts. Among those slated to appear are Elton John, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, Cyndi Lauper, Dave Matthews, Simon and Garfunkel and the Neville Brothers. To donate by purchasing the pay-per-view concert, subscribers to Adelphia, Cablevision, Charter, DISH Network and DIRECTV, and iN DEMAND partners Bright House Networks, Comcast, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable, should contact their local provider.
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While New Orleans struggles to overcome the tragic effects of Hurricane Katrina, one wonders if we’ll ever hear the joyous sounds of Mardi Gras again. The new documentary Make It Funky! (opening today in select cities) presents a history of the town and the music born in its streets. Filmmaker (and N'Awlins native) Michael Murphy chatted with TVGuide.com about the sounds of the Big Easy and why he knows his city will rise again.
TVGuide.com: What makes the music of New Orleans so special?
Michael Murphy: Well, everyone knows New Orleans for its jazz, but it has 200 years of rich musical influences: rhythm and blues, blues, Mardi Gras Indians, marching brass bands.... It really makes for a great gumbo of traditions. It also has a uniquely funky beat.
TVGuide.com: A lot of people were worried about Fats Domino
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