he Yamaha Millennium Concert at Winter NAMM 2000 in Los Angeles was a stunning musical tribute to the career of singer-songwriter and Yamaha artist Michael McDonald. This summer, McDonald made a gesture that was just

Michael McDonald Presents Concert Video Proceeds to NAMM

as impressive when he donated his proceeds from the sale of the concert video rights, a $50,000 sum, to NAMM-International Music Products Association.

McDonald made the presentation at a special gathering in Nashville just prior to the annual NAMM Summer Session, handing NAMM President Joe Lamond a contribution that will go to support four organizations that promote music and music making: the American Music Conference (AMC), the International Foundation for Music Research (IFMR), the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and the Museum of Music Making. In addition, the concert itself raised $30,000 for these groups, bringing the total benefit to $80,000.

NAMM President Joe Lamond, Corporate Director of Artist Affairs Chris Gero, Yamaha artist Michael McDonald, Yamaha Senior Vice President Terry Lewis, and PAC Division General Manager Rick Young

“It’s a wonderful bonus that after all the enjoyment that evening brought us, it’s also going to help put music in people’s lives,” says Lamond. “I’m very grateful to Michael for this tremendous gesture.”

Hosted by actor/performer Jeff Bridges, the concert featured an all-star roster of artists including Ray Charles, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Loggins, The Doobie Brothers, Steve Winwood, Toto, Boz Scaggs, James Ingram, Patty Austin, Christopher Cross, Alan Parsons, and former Beach Boy Brian Wilson. The video, titled “Michael McDonald: A Gathering of Friends,” was released in mid-September by Image Entertainment.

Employees Make Donation to American Red Cross

mployees of Yamaha Corporation of America presented the Orange County, California chapter of the American Red Cross with a $23,000 check this past October, in direct response to recent terrorist attacks made on the United States.

The presentation was made during a luncheon held at the company’s Buena Park headquarters. Prior to the September 11 attacks, Yamaha had planned to host an annual employee gala-this year’s event was to be aboard the Queen Mary. However, recent tragic events led the company’s nearly 400 Buena Park employees to forego their event and use the funds instead to demonstrate universal corporate-wide support towards the disaster relief effort in New York City.

Mitsuru “Mick” Umemura, left, and Terry Lewis, right, from YCA, present check to Richard L. Montfils of the American Red Cross

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