“Stars Still Shine” set for release on June 21st
GRAMMY and Emmy Award-winning singer and actor Harry Connick, Jr. pays tribute to essential workers in an emotional and uplifting new song “Stars Still Shine,” set for release on Verve Records on June 21st. The song will be made available to all streaming partners and digital download after its debut on United We Sing: A GRAMMY Tribute to Unsung Heroes, a star-studded two hour special event conceived and hosted by Harry Connick, Jr. airing on the CBS Television Network on June 21st at 8 pm ET/PT.
“Stars Still Shine” was written, arranged and performed by Harry Connick, Jr. as a tribute to essential workers across America. The multi-talented musician, who played all instruments on the track except for guitar, is joined by longtime band member and guitarist Jonathan Dubose, Jr. and local New Orleans choir Tara Alexander and the Frontline Singers, who recorded at the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in New Orleans, Louisiana.
All proceeds from the track will benefit the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, which serves the New Orleans community and broadens opportunities for underserved children, youth and musicians to develop musically, academically and socially. The Ellis Marsalis Center for Music continues to honor the great legacy of its namesake, whose tragic passing from COVID-19 earlier this year was felt throughout the music community. Ellis Marsalis was a great jazz musician, teacher and mentor to many, including Harry Connick, Jr.
United We Sing: A GRAMMY Tribute to Unsung Heroes features GRAMMY and Emmy Award-winning singer and actor Harry Connick, Jr. and his filmmaker daughter, Georgia Connick, as they take a road trip in an RV to thank and celebrate essential workers who risk their own lives on a daily basis to keep us safe. Connick highlights the contributions of these everyday heroes with the help of his celebrity friends, including Sandra Bullock, Drew Brees, Queen Latifah, Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey and Renée Zellweger, who deliver surprise messages to America’s unsung heroes. Additionally, the special will feature performances by Jon Batiste, Harry Connick, Jr., Andra Day, John Fogerty, Jamie Foxx, Herbie Hancock, Cyndi Lauper, Little Big Town, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Dave Matthews, Tim McGraw, Rockin Dopsie, Irma Thomas and Trombone Shorty.
The Connicks’ journey begins at their home in Connecticut, and after stopping in various cities along the way, they reach their final destination of New Orleans, LA. At each stop, the father-daughter duo listens to the stories of essential workers in healthcare, food preparation, sanitation, law enforcement, trucking and more to honor their dedication and public service during this unique moment in history.
The two hour special event culminates in Connick’s hometown of New Orleans, with moving musical performances by Connick, Trombone Shorty and Irma Thomas at iconic locations throughout the city.
