The Big Apple to The Big Easy - New York City's Live Concert for the Gulf Coast

"The Big Apple to the Big Easy"
New York City's Live Concert for the Gulf Coast at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, September 20th Available in $19.95 Live Pay-Per-View Special

100% of Every Pay-Per-View Dollar Will Go Directly to Support the Long-Term Relief and Rebuilding Efforts in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast

80 Million Americans Now Have an Opportunity to Donate to This Effort and Also See a Once-In-A-Lifetime Musical Extravaganza

NEW YORK, NY, September 15, 2005 - It was announced today at a press conference held at Madison Square Garden that "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy," New York City's Concert for the Gulf Coast, taking place at Madison Square Garden on September 20th, will be made available live on pay-per-view. The pay-per-view telecast, which will begin at 7:00 p.m. EST and cost $19.95, provides 80 million Americans across the country with the opportunity to support the long-term relief and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, while also being able to see this once-in-a-lifetime concert. It is expected that all performers in the concert will be part of the pay-per-view telecast.

"From the Big Apple to the Big Easy," New York's Concert for the Gulf Coast is a live concert extravaganza that will feature New Orleans musical legends with many of music's biggest names, including Bette Midler; Diana Krall; Dixie Cups; Elvis Costello; Jimmy Buffett; John Fogerty; Lenny Kravitz; Ry Cooder; Simon & Garfunkel; Allen Toussaint; Buckwheat Zydeco; Clarence "Frogman" Henry; Dave Bartholomew; the Dirty Dozen Brass Band; Irma Thomas; Kermit Ruffins; the Neville Brothers; the Meters; The Rebirth Brass Band and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews.

"From the Big Apple to the Big Easy" will be a musical celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and the entire Gulf Coast. In addition to performing the popular music that made them individually famous, the concert will also feature an artistic combination of New Orleans and rock & roll, creating unprecedented combinations and musical creations. All concert participants are committed to keeping the flame of New Orleans' music alive until the area rebuilds and the musical treasures can return to their proper home.

In order to donate by purchasing the pay-per-view concert, cable or satellite subscribers should contact their local cable or satellite provider.

80 million customers in the Adelphia, Cablevision, Charter, EchoStar's DISH Network and DIRECTV, along with iN DEMAND partners - Bright House Networks, Comcast, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable systems, will be able view this historic event. 100% of every dollar will go directly to support the long-term relief and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The pay-per-view telecast of "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy,"will be produced by veteran television producer Ken Ehrlich. Ehrlich has produced 25 Grammy Award telecasts, created and produced the "MTV Movie Awards" and "Divas" and hundreds of hours of specials, concerts and live events.

Madison Square Garden is underwriting 100% of all concert production costs related to "From The Big Apple to the Big Easy" New York City's Concert for the Gulf Coast, and has pledged an additional $1 million dollar donation to begin the event's fundraising efforts. 100% of all money raised from sponsorship and ticket sales will go directly to organizations involved in the region's relief and rebuilding efforts, including the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund; Habitat for Humanity; MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund and the Children's Health Fund.

The Bear Stearns Company Inc. and KeySpan are presenters of "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy." WNBC-TV in New York is the event's media partner.

Please visit www.fromthebigappletothebigeasy.com for more information about the event.

Contact:
Eric Gelfand
212-465-6659

Whit Clay
212-446-1864