Celebs Sing “Sweet Home Chicago” To Support Illinois Artists
An all-star line-up of Chicago natives and stars who got their start in the Windy City have come together for a new music video in support of struggling artists.
The 100-plus celebrities (major and minor) hope that their take on the classic "Sweet Home Chicago" will raise awareness/money for the Arts For Illinois Relief Fund, to help the many artists struggling in the wake of COVID-19 closures.
From the Arts For Illinois website:
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented financial strain on the arts and cultural community. Thousands of artists are unable to afford the most fundamental living expenses. Since launching on April 1, the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund has provided grants to 1,460 artists. However, an unprecedented need remains, with over 7,300 artists in the applicant pool who have not yet received funding. All donations go directly to artists in financial need due to COVID-19 closures.
Creative workers dedicate their lives to innovation, inspiration, and creating moments of human connection. Help ensure that our creative sector remains strong through this crisis.
I've got to admit, in the interests of full disclosure, that I've been left pretty cold by some of the celebrity-infused videos of the last few months, but this one is a true "feel good" performance.
Check out the video, and see how many of the performers you recognize. The full list of participants will follow. Also, click here to make a donation to the Arts For Illinois Relief Fund.
How many could you name? Here's the complete list in alphabetical order:
Edson Barbosa, Bril Barrett, Rachel Barton Pine, Rick Bayless, Jim Belushi, Melanie Brezill, Time Brickey, Tristan Bruns, E. Faye Butler, Dara Cameron, Matt Cashdollar, Thomas Cavender, David Chiriboga, Shantel Cribbs, André De Shields, Sandra Delgado, Star Dixon, Michael A. Downs, Kurt Elling, Annie Ermel, Aubriel Fields, Felicia P. Fields, Annie Jo Fischer, Joshua Funk, Cindy Gold, Lecy Goranson, Monique Haley, Brad Hall, Charlie Hall, Henry Hall, Anne Harris, Bernard Johnson, Mark Kelly, Heidi Kettenring, Keegan-Michael Key, Nicole Kyoung-Mi Lambert, Ramsey Lewis, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Nikki Lynette, Courtney Mack, Mallory Maedke, Ezra Mahler, Michael Mahler, Joe Mantegna, Megon McDonough, Dan McGuinness, Anthony Mosely, Jessie Mueller, Jesse Nolan, Jeff Perry, Jim Peterik, Jessica Redish, Rhymefest, Maisie Rose, Alan Ruck, Larkin Ruck, Julia Rust, Amaris Sanchez, Martin Saunders, Colten Settle, KJ Sheldon, Christine Sherill, Raymond Smith, Paul Oakley Stovall, John Toney, Cyrus Tong, Jessica Tong, Twista, Trey Vavra, Sam Wagster, Michael Weber, George Wendt, Jayden Wilson, Bobbi Wilsyn, Ellen Winters, Elise Wolf and Jeff Wolfe