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| Bret Michaels
Photo: Bret Michaels |
The 88th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas event in America, honored Bret Michaels with the Humanitarian of the Year award. Michaels is a multi-platinum global music superstar whose multi-faceted brand encompasses record-breaking touring sales, TV stardom and chart-topping songs. A successful entrepreneur in addition to his musical achievements, he created the multi-million dollar selling Pets Rock Collection with PetSmart, launched his own line of custom guitars and created “Bret’s Blend, Diet Trop-A-Rocka” which is a number-one-selling beverage for Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group.
Demonstrating Michaels’ never-ending commitment to giving, he has pledged to honor his reception of this Humanitarian award by dedicating one of his upcoming shows to charity.
Michaels, a lifelong diabetic, the son of a veteran, and survivor of a life-threatening brain hemorrhage has always stood up to any challenge that was thrown at him. As a type 1 juvenile diabetic since the age of 6, he consistently leads the charge for diabetes awareness, sending children to camp with his Life Rocks Foundation. Through his Foundation, he has raised millions of dollars for charity and he has additionally personally donated to causes throughout his career, including his winnings from “Celebrity Apprentice.” His philanthropy has helped not only diabetes education and research but also a diverse range of causes such as childhood cancer, Veterans organizations, PetSmart Charities, Operation Homefront, Feelgood Foundation and many more.
Michaels’ latest hit single and video, “Unbroken” is dedicated to the idea of overcoming any challenge that life puts in front of you. He co-wrote and recorded the song with his youngest daughter, Jorja Bleu, who currently attends a music and arts school. His eldest daughter, Raine, is an in-demand model after being a finalist in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Search earlier this year. Michaels himself is one of the most sought-after performers in the world, keeping him on the road for each of the last 10 years for nearly 300 live performances, speaking engagements, charitable concerts and private engagements yearly. Those talents, combined with his passion for philanthropy and helping others, made Michaels a fitting choice to receive this year’s Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Although Michaels is primarily a solo artist and is finishing his UNBROKEN World Tour of arenas and amphitheaters, he is giving the fans an early Christmas gift by agreeing to a confirmed tour in 2020 featuring a reunited, all-original Poison. Though no dates are currently locked in, Michaels is excited to bring the band back on the road for a summer jaunt of concert hits.
The landmark anniversary celebration took place on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California, on Sunday, December 1, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. PT. The host of Access Hollywood, Mario Lopez, and the Lopez family, were this year’s Grand Marshals. They joined an eclectic array of musical performances featured during the parade and national telecast, included Jesse & Joy, Dionne Warwick, Brandon Jenner, Sheléa, The Band Of Merrymakers, Rock of Ages, Shawn Wayans presents The Boo Crew, Phil Vassar, David Archuleta, Ace Young & Diana DeGarmo, James Maslow, Ashen Moon, Mikalah Gordon and Brandon Rogers. The parade also featured a special tribute for Toys for Tots and a magic performance by Mai Wynn and Farrell Dillon of The CW hit series, “Masters of Illusion.”
The 88th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade was hosted by Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams, with special co-host Elizabeth Stanton. It will premiere as a two-hour special on The CW Network on Friday, December 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET / PT. The parade, featuring Marine Toys for Tots program, which is essential in providing gifts to less fortunate children everywhere, will also air on the Hallmark Channel shortly after as well as on American Forces Network, to more than one million American servicemen and women worldwide. The event will be presented and produced by Associated Television International, in association with The City of Los Angeles.
A true Hollywood yearly tradition, the parade attracts more than one million in attendance each year, with larger than life inflatable character balloons, award-winning bands, colorful equestrians, ornate floats, popular characters/novelties, celebrity-filled cars and, of course, Santa Claus making the much heralded trek down the over three mile parade route.
TVMusic Network was on hand at the parade and spoke with Bret Michaels. Check out the link to see what he had to say about the parade, touring and more.
