Stars line up for Seeger's 90th B-day gig

NEW YORK, March 18 (UPI) -- Dave Matthews, Bruce Springsteen and Emmylou Harris have agreed to perform at a New York benefit concert celebrating Pete Seeger's 90th birthday.

Organizers of "The Clearwater Concert: Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders" said the May 3 event at Madison Square Garden will also feature performances by Eddie Vedder, John Mellencamp, Juanes, Arlo Guthrie, Ani DiFranco and Michael Franti.

The one-night-only event is intended to benefit and raise awareness for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, an environmental organization Seeger founded, which strives to preserve and protect the Hudson River.

Seeger, a well-known folk singer, political activist and avid environmentalist, has long inspired social change through his extraordinary life and music, Clearwater said.

The concert is expected to focus on "ensemble renditions of musical treasures inspired by Pete Seeger."

"Pete Seeger's historic contributions to the environmental movement and the fight for social justice have inspired millions of people. Approaching 90, his great deeds shine on and continue to remind us that nothing is beyond our reach. Clearwater thanks the many gracious musicians gathering to celebrate Pete's life and help create a living legacy in his honor: the next generation of environmental leaders," Jeff Rumpf, Clearwater's executive director, said in a statement.