Neil Diamond will be honored as the 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Friday as part of the festivities for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. The legendary singer is being recognized for his exceptional philanthropic work, which has included many generous charitable donations over the years. Most recently, Diamond donated 100 percent of merchandise sales from his concerts last October to the hurricane relief efforts in Texas for areas ravaged by Hurricane Ike.
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The ceremony will feature a star-studded tribute concert with Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Josh Groban, Jennifer Hudson, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kid Rock, Adele, Raul Malo, the Jonas Brothers, Randy Newman, Eric Benet, Terence Blanchard, Cassandra Wilson, Urge Overkill, and of course, Diamond all performing. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel will host the event.
The concert will be preceded by an award presentation, gala diner, and an auction featuring an impressive array of music memorabilia from the estate of the late music publisher Andy Budde, as well as Neil Diamond's personal 1956 Ford Thunderbird. The Budde collection includes such items as an Eric Clapton-signed guitar, a Bob Dylan-signed harmonica and a Janis Joplin-signed photograph and more.

Proceeds from the annual Person of the Year tribute provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Now in its 19th year, past MusiCares Person of the Year honorees include Tony Bennett, Bono, Natalie Cole, Phil Collins, David Crosby, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Don Henley, Billy Joel, Elton John, Quincy Jones, Luciano Pavarotti, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, Sting, James Taylor, Brian Wilson, and Stevie Wonder.
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No word yet on who from the Red Sox will join Diamond for "Sweet Caroline"...