‘Whispering’ Bob Harris Launches All Star Charity Single

Broadcasting legend and country music fanatic ‘whispering’ Bob Harris OBE is launching a charity single, with an all star collection of artists, in aid of Help Musicians. The single release is in celebration of Bob’s 50th year in broadcasting.

The track #StandByMe, produced by Harris’ Under The Apple Tree Records in partnership with Absolute Label services, is a cover of Ben E King’s iconic ‘Stand By Me’ and is set for release from the 27th October. The cover is also celebrating a major milestone for the original track which is being released on the 60th anniversary of it’s first recording.

Speaking of the release Harris says “COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the UK music scene. The artists who rely on live performances for their income have been particularly hard hit. For the past six years Under The Apple Tree has been a fantastic platform for emerging artists and now, in this time of difficulty, we want to raise funds to help the diverse and dedicated grass roots music community that we love so much.” 

Help Musicians are a particularly poignant cause to be supporting during these difficult times as artists, career musicians and the industry as a whole, suffers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. With an almost 100 year history of supporting artists at all stages of their career Help Musicians aims to make a meaningful difference to the lives of musicians and enable them to thrive no matter the challenges they may face.

James Ainscough, CEO of Help Musicians says “We’re delighted that Bob Harris OBE, a Help Musicians ambassador for many years, has instigated this wonderful project. Music has sustained so many of us during lockdown, yet tens of thousands of musicians have had their income wiped out. It is through fundraisers such as this that the Help Musicians team can continue to provide the broad range of support that is needed now more than ever.  Thanks to those generously donating, Help Musicians has been able to offer financial hardship support, creative development opportunities and a vital mental health service which reaches the entire music community during this difficult time. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Bob and the team for their continued support, and to everyone who donates to this unique single.” 

You can donate to the #StandByMe cause by visiting the gofundme page or you can pre-order the single here.

The full list of artists involved includes:

Anna Corcoran
Beth Nielsen Chapman
Callaghan
Darius Rucker
Demi Marriner
Duane Eddy
Elles Bailey
Gregor Philp
Jamie Lawson
Jimmie Allen
John Oates
Judie Tzuke
Judith Owen
Keb Mo
Kiki Dee
Laura Cantrell
Laura Oakes
Leo Sayer
Mark Knopfler
Mary Gauthier
McCrary Sisters
Mica Paris
Mollie Marriott
P.P. Arnold
Paul Rodgers
Peter Frampton
Richard Thompson
Rick Wakeman
Robbie Cavanagh
Robert Vincent
Rosanne Cash
Sam Outlaw
Sam Palladio
Steve Cradock
The Shires
Twinnie
Ward Thomas
Wildwood Kin