Or Music To Release Two-CD Tribute For Alejandro Escovedo On July 27

Cowboy Junkies, Los Lonely Boys, John Cale, Lucinda Williams, Jayhawks and Many Others Record For Multiple - Artist Album To Benefit Alejandro Escovedo Medical & Living Expense Fund and Help Raise Public Awareness of hepatitis C

(PRWEB) July 25, 2004 -- On July 27, 2004 Or Music will release Por Vida, a two-cd, multi-artist album paying tribute to the music of Alejandro Escovedo and benefiting the Alejandro Escovedo Medical & Living Expense Fund. The album will also serve to raise public consciousness regarding hepatitis C and spearhead an effort to create a permanent fund to aid musicians suffering from the disease.

The artists who will appear on the album are: John Cale, Caitlin Carey, Calexico, Peter Case, Billy Corgan, Cowboy Junkies, Javier Escovedo, Pete Escovedo and Sheila E., Flatlanders, Rosie Flores, Howe Gelb & Giant Sand, Jon Dee Graham, Ian Hunter, Jayhawks, Lenny Kaye, Jon Langford & Sally Timms (Mekons), Los Lonely Boys, Ian Mclagan, Minus 5, Charlie Musselwhite & Charlie Sexton, Bob Neuwirth, Section String Quartet, Son Volt, Chris Stamey, Nicholas Tremulis, Tres Chicas, M. Ward & Vic Chesnutt, Jennifer Warnes, Whiskeytown/Ryan Adams, Lucinda Williams and more TBA.

On March 20, Escovedo's friends and fans came out to show their support at Austin's famed Las Manitas Cafe for an intimate gathering in celebration of Por Vida during the SXSW music conference. The standing room only audience, which included legends such as Joan Baez , Kris Kristofferson and Escovedo himself, watched special performances by some of the participating artists including John Cale, Los Lonely Boys and Chris Stamey.

Alejandro Escovedo was hospitalized in April 2003 due to complications from Hepatitis C following a performance of "By the Hand of the Father," the acclaimed theatrework inspired by and featuring his songs. His illness forced Escovedo to retire from touring for the last year, leaving him unable to support his family as well as pay the costs of his hospitalization and treatment. His friends, fans and associates responded with an outpouring of generosity and support. Benefit concerts were held in numerous major American cities, and Escovedo's manager Heinz Geissler established The Alejandro Escovedo Medical & Living Expense Fund and its website to receive the influx of contributions. Or Music agreed to finance and release a tribute album featuring performances of Escovedo's music by his friends, peers, influences and admirers. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Fund.

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