David Paich to perform at United Nations M.D.G. Awards — Thu, Mar 12, 2009 DAVID PAICH WILL SING TOTO HIT “AFRICA” AT UNITED NATIONS M.D.G. AWARDS CEREMONY WITH HARLEM BOYS CHOIR MARCH 17 Inaugural Event Will Honor His Grace Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Dr. Kevin Cahill for a Lifetime of Humanitarian Service with Millennium Development Goals Award, Macy Gray, K’naan, Akon, Julian and Sean Lennon, Keaton Simon and Mick Hucknell Will Also Perform NEW YORK, March 12, 2009—Toto founder, keyboardist, singer and main composer David Paich has been invited to perform at the United Nations for the inaugural Millennium Development Goals (M.D.G.) Awards on March 17. Accompanied by the Harlem Boys Choir and members of Paul Simon’s band, the seven-time-Grammy and Emmy Award winning artist will sing “Africa,” the 1982 chart-topping hit he co-wrote with Toto band mate Jeff Porcaro, at the ceremony, which will honor Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Dr. Kevin Cahill for a Lifetime of Humanitarian Service with the initial M.D.G. Awards. “This is a huge honor for me,” says Paich, who was asked to appear by his friend Robin DiMaggio, the event’s Musical Director. “It means a great deal to be able to join such distinguished company for a great cause.” Macy Gray, Akon, Julian and Sean Lennon, K’naan, Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall, Keaton Simon and the National Dance Institute will perform, while Vanessa Redgrave, Armand Assante, Sol Guy and Jonathan Granoff will be among the hosts and entertainers on hand. Presenters will outline the M.D.G.s, explain the Awards program as well as the voting and nomination protocols for what is being called the “Oscars” of world nations. Streamed live on the web at the groundbreaking networking portal MDG-Network.com and filmed for international syndicated broadcast next fall linking host nations, the show will rally the world toward achieving Millennium Goals by the year 2015, the date set by the United Nations for their realization. Those eight goals include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and form a global partnership for development. In addition, the MDG-Network will link to the Millennium Alliances Portal: MAP-MDG.org., which will serve as a matchmaking platform for the NGO community, corporate sector and UN agencies, enabling rapid communications, collaboration and the commercial undertakings necessary to accomplish positive change.