Entertainment - MTV,CNN team up for concert to support war veterans

MUMBAI: MTV US’ Choose or Lose campaign and CNN Worldwide have announced that they have teamed up to host a cross-network television event.

This includes a concert to mobilise support for the US’ newest generation of young veterans and news programming on both MTV and CNN highlighting young veterans’ stories of triumph, as well as issues facing those veterans as they return from battle.


Artists from multiple genres will take part in A Night for Vets: An MTV Concert for the Brave taped in New York City on 23 October 2008 and airing on MTV on 24 October 2008. The aim is to raise awareness of veterans’ causes, including employment, healthcare, homelessness, and education.

CNN will air Anderson Cooper 360: Back from the Battle. This is a special that delves into the stories of several young vets and the challenges facing them, on 25 and 26 October.

Additionally, MTV has announced the Bill of Rights for American Veterans (BRAVE), a petition created in partnership with a group of top non-partisan veterans’ organizations calling on elected officials to support veterans’ issues and swiftly enact positive legislative changes.

A Night for Vets: An MTV Concert for the Brave hosted by MTV News Correspondent Sway Calloway and taped before an audience of specially invited young veterans and their families, will feature live performances by artists including 50 Cent, Ludacris and Saving Abel and taped performances from artists like Kanye West, Kid Rock, Angels + Airwaves, Fall Out Boy and Juanes.

Beyonce, Will Ferrell, Cameron Diaz and Common are among those who will make taped appearances throughout the concert to show their support. The special will also include an interview with CNN international correspondent Michael Ware, via satellite from Baghdad. MTV News and CNN news packages, introduced by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, will air throughout the show.

Headline News’ anchor Robin Meade (Morning Express with Robin Meade) will conduct interviews with young veterans in the audience. Additionally, the show will screen online in the MTV Virtual World. Viewers will be able to watch the concert in full and interact with some of the artists participating in the show.



MTV persident Van Toffler says, "It doesn’t matter where you stand on the war -- we can all agree that young veterans serving our country must receive the benefits they’ve earned for their sacrifices.

"By raising awareness through A Night for Vets: An MTV Concert for the Brave and by launching the BRAVE petition, we aim to elevate these issues and ensure they’re a top priority for our government officials"

CNN US president Jon Klein says, "We are honored to help shine a light on the issues facing young veterans, and to bring these veterans’ stories to both the CNN and MTV audiences."

Anderson Cooper 360: Back from the Battle, hosted by Cooper, will highlight the challenges facing young vets returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Cooper will report on families left behind to deal with the stress of wartime deployment, and the mixed emotions of pride, fear, and even detachment.