Grammy non-winner Neil Young is honored as MusiCares Person of the Year

It doesn't take a Grammy to prove you're an icon. Having never won the prestigious award, legendary musician Neil Young was honored in Los Angeles at the pre-Grammy MusiCares gala as their Person of the Year for his artistry in music and philanthropic contributions. Young has been an advocate for foundations such as FarmAid and helped found The Bridge School to benefit children with major physical disabilities. "Well, it's a great cause and the money that we make here tonight goes to a really good place. It goes to helping musicians that are less fortunate and that have come upon hard times and don't have health care and are living in the real world," Young said. Young falls in with the group of legendary artists who have never won a Grammy award. The Beatles, Diana Ross, Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Bob Marley, and The Who have all been artists who have been denied the golden gramophone. Musician Josh Groban was happy that Neil was finally being given the accolade. "I've seen a lot of people win Grammy's that have gone on to really disappoint after that and then I have seen a lot of people that have not won any Grammy's, and I guess Neil's a perfect example, who continue to have honesty and integrity and strive to connect with the world in a totally unique way, and I am excited that they are finally honoring him tonight then," Groban said. Young has never been shy in giving his opinion on political and environmental issues in his songs, but that is what has given him validity and longevity. Grammy award winner, Sheryl Crow, credits him for inspiring her music. "He seemed to marry folk music and country music and for me, where I was from in Missouri, it really sort of set me on course as far as a songwriter goes, and he also managed to interject really socially, politically, moving lyrics into rock songs and he still is for me the template that I hold up and hope to eventually accomplish the things that he's done," Crow said. Young is up for two Grammy's this year. One for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for "Fork in the Road" and the other for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package for "Neil Young Archives Vol 1. (1963-1972)." But he said won't feel too bad if he doesn't win. "It's an honor. It is. I'm in good company," Young said laughing. The MusiCares Person of the Year gala includes a special reception, silent auction, and star-studded tribute concert of Young's hits. All proceeds will go to the MusiCares Foundation to provide support to musicians who need help in times of financial, medical, and personal need.—AP