Billboard praises 12 'greenest' musicians
In celebration of Earth Day yesterday, Billboard counted down the greenest musicians of the last 12 months. The artists who made the cut have been taking action to support environmental causes - from carbon offsets to donations - and urging their fans to do the same.
In celebration of Earth Day yesterday, Billboard counted down the greenest musicians of the last 12 months. The artists who made the cut have been taking action to support environmental causes - from carbon offsets to donations - and urging their fans to do the same.
Though possibly its name could have been a factor in the selection of the first group on the list:
10. The Roots: The Philadelphia-based hip-hop crew has taken autographing to a new level. At this year's edition of their annual pre-Grammy Awards all-star jam session, the group gave away signed compost bins in an effort to promote the practice.
9. Missy Higgins: Australian singer/songwriter spent two weeks traveling across the United States in a hybrid Prius this year, posting Web documentaries of stops at locations like the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo.
8. Radiohead: Delivering its album "In Rainbows" as a price-optional digital download before putting a physical product in stores last year prevented the manufacture and disposal of thousands of CDs.
7. Serj Tankian: The System Of A Down frontman-turned-solo artist founded skyisover.net to connect fans to environmental and social justice organizations.
6. Pearl Jam: Drummer Matt Cameron played a January benefit for flood victims in Central Washington, while guitarist Stone Gossard helped plant vegetation in a Seattle park ravaged by English ivy.
5. KT Tunstall: Last September, Tunstall partnered with her record label, Virgin, to create a 100 percent post-consumer waste recycled and chlorine-free booklet for her second CD, "Drastic Fantastic."
4. Dave Matthews Band: Through environmental nonprofit Reverb, DMB has calculated the CO2 emissions from every stop on its upcoming extensive summer tour and has purchased the renewable energy credits through NativeEnergy to make up for the footprint left by each venue, hotel, flight, tour vehicle and even fan travel.
3. Mana: Through its nonprofit foundation Selva Negra, launched in 1994, Mana is helping save endangered species like the sea turtle and supporting massive reforestation efforts.
The group's most ambitious and potentially far-reaching endeavor is a proposal to make environmental and ethics classes part of the curriculum in all Mexican schools.
2. Willie Nelson: Willie Nelson's BioWillie biodiesel fuel will add a key location when Willie's Place at Carl's Corner, Texas, opens this summer. Billed as the biggest green truck stop in the United States, the facility will include 13 islands and 26 pumps. Fuel sold there will have some percentage of biofuel, ranging from 5 percent to 85 percent.
1. Jack Johnson: The Los Angeles headquarters of Johnson's Brushfire Records recently oversaw construction of a new recording studio insulated with used denim and powered in part by solar panels located on the roof.
And for his 2008 tour in support of "Sleep Through the Static," Johnson has updated his "EnviroRider," requiring venues to reduce waste and recycle. Tour trucks and coaches will run on biodiesel, while catering will emphasize locally grown and organic foods. *