Canadian music icon David Foster to receive Humanitarian Award at the 2019 JUNO Awards
Foster is being honoured for outstanding philanthropic contributions and commitment to supporting and inspiring others to give back
TORONTO – The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) today announced that David Foster, renowned musician, songwriter, composer, arranger and producer, will be recognized with the 2019 Humanitarian Award. The award honours Foster’s lifelong dedication to philanthropy through his support of hundreds of charities, including his own non-profit organization, The David Foster Foundation, which raises organ donation awareness and provides financial support to Canadian families in need of life-saving transplants.
The Humanitarian Award recognizes philanthropic efforts by Canadian artists and industry pioneers who have made a significant and meaningful impact on social welfare around the world. The award, given annually by the JUNO Awards, will be presented to Foster at the 48th Annual JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards Presented by SOCAN on Saturday, March 16 at the London Convention Centre in London, Ontario, and live-streamed via CBCMusic.ca/junos.
“It is with great honour that I accept the 2019 Humanitarian Award,” said Foster. “I created the David Foster Foundation in 1986 after meeting a young girl from my hometown who was awaiting a liver transplant. The experience had a profound impact on me, and that’s how the Foundation was born. I am fortunate to be able to support many charities and organizations in need, either with my time or through donations, and it has become one of my life’s passions. The gift of music has brought me many rewards, and what better way to pay tribute to those gifts than to pay it forward. Giving back is not just a responsibility, it’s a necessity.”
“We are thrilled to present David Foster with this year’s Humanitarian Award,” said Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards & MusiCounts. “David has donated his time, talent, and resources throughout his career, making extraordinary contributions and changing lives, especially here at home through The David Foster Foundation. He has tapped into his vast network of friends and collaborators to raise millions of dollars for worthy causes. We are proud to commemorate David’s philanthropic achievements at the 2019 JUNO Awards with this well-deserved honour.”
In the 33 years since Foster established The David Foster Foundation, the organization has helped over 1,100 families with children in need and provided millions of dollars in financial support. In the past twenty years, Foster has supported over 400 charities, including the annual Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night, The Andre Agassi Foundation and Carousel of Hope, to name a few.
Throughout his impressive career, spanning nearly five decades, Foster established himself as one of the most successful songwriters, composers and record producers in history. He has spearheaded albums that have collectively sold in the hundreds of millions and has created hit songs for notable artists including 10-time JUNO winner Diana Krall, global hit-makers, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and many more. Foster created soundtracks that defined a generation with the likes of The Bodyguard, Urban Cowboy and St. Elmo’s Fire. A natural at spotting new talent, Foster played a key role in the discovery and career launches of 20-time JUNO winner Céline Dion, Josh Groban and 13-time JUNO winner Michael Bublé.
For his groundbreaking work in music and composing, Foster has won six JUNO Awards, 16 Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe and has received three Oscar nominations for “Best Original Song.” In 1998, Foster was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame; in 2002, the Canadian Walk of Fame; and in 2010, he was honoured by both the Canadian and the American Songwriters Halls of Fame. In 2013, Foster received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, located notably next to his icons – John, Paul, George and Ringo – of The Beatles.
In 2018, Foster set his sights on Broadway, immersing himself in New York theatre culture and embracing it as a new creative outlet. He is working on a Betty Boop production as well as an adaptation of Lucky Us with Jewel. His most recent foray out of retirement saw him working with Michael Bublé to co-produce his new album, Love (2018).
Tickets to The 2019 JUNO Awards are available online at budweisergardens.com, by phone at 1-866-455-2849 and in-person at the Courtesy Ford Box Office at Budweiser Gardens (Located at Gate 1).
The 48th annual JUNO Awards and JUNO Week 2019 will be hosted in London from March 11 through March 17, 2019, culminating in The JUNO Awards, on Sunday, March 17, at Budweiser Gardens, broadcast live at 8 PM ET on CBC, CBC Radio and globally on cbcmusic.ca/junos.
