Over 685 Diverse Organizations Came Together with the U.S. Surgeon General and White House Director of National Drug Control Policy for the UNITE to Face Addiction Rally
The Rally Took Place on October 4, 2015 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Joe Walsh, Steven Tyler with his Nashville-based band, Loving Mary, Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, The Fray, John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Jonathan Butler, Tommy Sims, Nathan East and Alex Newell from Glee Performed at the Rally
WASHINGTON – Top artists came together to support Facing Addiction's UNITE to Face Addiction Rally. The rally was a four hour-long event that featured powerful statements from celebrities, public officials and advocates as well musical performances by top artists. Rich Vos, from the hit comedy show "Last Comic Standing," hosted the event. President Obama made remarks about treatment, prevention and recovery through a pre-recorded message shown at the event. Chris Gero, Founder and VP of Yamaha Entertainment Group of America, served as executive producer of the event, which attracted thousands. The monumental rally was free to the public and took place on October 4, 2015 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. from 4:00-8:00PM.
Attendees enjoyed musical performances by Joe Walsh, Steven Tyler with his Nashville-based band, Loving Mary, Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, The Fray, John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Jonathan Butler, Tommy Sims, Nathan East and Alex Newell of Glee.
Guests also heard impactful messages from a variety of different speakers including U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, Director of National Drug Control Policy at the White House Michael Botticelli, Dr. Mehmet Oz, The Cast and Co-Creator of TV Show Mom – Allison Janney, and Chuck Lorre, Darryl Strawberry, Patrick Kennedy, Chris Herren, Pat O'Brien, William Cope Moyers, Christopher Kennedy Lawford, Tara Conner, Dr. David Satcher, Senator Ed Markey, Senator Rob Portman, Eric Edwards, Dr. Lena Wen, Carol McDaid, Senator Angus King, Tom Coderre, John Silverman, Governor Bill Weld, Chef Natalie Young, Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, Elisa Hallerman, members of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), among others.
In addition, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Ozzy Osbourne, Michael McDonald, Kristin Davis, Glenn Beck, Chaka Khan, Andrew Zimmern, Colin Quinn, Laurie Dhue, Dr. John, Jodie Sweetin, Kristen Johnston, Craig Ferguson, Richie Sambora and Scott Stapp all filmed personal messages that were shown at the event. Check out the video produced by Yamaha Entertainment Group here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlaLQUF6EsA.
Facing Addiction is a new, national non-profit group founded by Jim Hood and Greg Williams. The coalition will serve as a voice for the over 85 million Americans who have been impacted by addiction. Over 685 diverse partner organizations from around the country have joined Facing Addiction to launch a first-of-its-kind campaign. Their joint goal is to let America know that addiction is preventable and treatable, that far too many of those affected have been incarcerated, and that people can and most importantly, do get well.
"Addiction is a battle that is so ignored, yet so impactful," said Chris Gero, Founder and VP of Yamaha Entertainment Group. "My hope is that the UNITE to Face Addiction Rally started a bigger conversation about the issue so we can stop the stigma and start a movement."
