Goodworks

POSITIVE POP: The Backstreet Boys, "N Sync, Aaron Carter, Scooter, Touche, Mr. President, the Boyz, the Moffatts, Squeezer, Blumchen, R'N'G, and Gil have recorded a single under the name the Bravo All Stars to benefit the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation. "Let The Music Heal Your Soul," out Tuesday (3) on Edel America Records, was written by Alex Christensen and Frank Peterson specifically for the organization. Contact: Katie Scandalios at 212-541-9700, ext. 19.
HOLIDAY HELP:The British/Canadian duo Gypsy Soul is donating part of the proceeds from "Sacred," a Celtic-inspired Christmas album that bowed Tuesday (3) on Off the Beaten Track Recordings, to the Foundation for Advancement in Music Education (FAME). FAME is a new charity based in Los Angeles that works for better music education by providing talent and services to aid educators. Contact: Heidi Bowen at 323-860-0891.
SUPER SESSION: Al Kooper and the Rekooperators will be joined by Grammy-winning vibraphonist Gary Burton and pianist Paul Griffin at a Saturday (7) benefit concert for the Al Kooper "It Can Happen" Scholarship Fund at the Berklee College of Music. The event will be recorded and videotaped for future release. Contact: Emily Singer at 617-747-2567.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Rhino Records and Lifetime Learning Systems will distribute a high school educational program, "Black History In Music: Songs Of A People," in honor of Black History Month to 10,000 schools nationwide for free. With the help of program cosponsors HBO Home Video, Westwood One, Vibe, Blaze, Revlon, Be a Player/PMC, and MUSIC ALIVE!, Rhino will conduct a national creative writing contest for high school and middle school students with cash awards for use toward a college education, Black History Month video packs, and percussion instruments. Contact: Yvonne Gomez at 310-474-4778.