NBA All-Star Entertainers Announced

John Legend will headline the 2009 NBA All-Star Game halftime show at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 15.

The five-time Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter and pianist will be joined by Latin rock star Juanes, who has picked up 17 Grammys of his own.

Photo: AP Photo
Latin Grammy Awards, Toyota Center, Houston, Texas.

The artists were chosen both for their musical talents and philanthropic efforts. Legend is the winner of the 2008 Humanitarian Award from CARE and the 2008 Difference Award from OneXOne and Juanes was named “One of the World’s 100 Most Influential People” by Time magazine for his work helping landmine victims and dedication to other social causes.

Legend will kick off the halftime show with a performance of his song “If You’re Out There” from his 2008 album Evolver. Legend performed the tune live at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Juanes will join Legend for a special halftime performance highlighting NBA Cares, the league’s social responsibility initiative.

The NBA All-Star Game will air live on TNT, Score Canada, ESPN Radio and in more than 200 countries and territories at 8 p.m. EST.

Two days before the game, Legend will join NBA All-Stars and others in the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service, which will help those in need in Phoenix through community service projects Feb. 13.

That night, actor/recording artist Corbin Bleu, who starred in Disney’s “High School Musical,” will perform at halftime of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam at US Airways Center.

Singer/guitarist Kevin Rudolf will perform his hit “Let It Rock” at US Airways Center to warm up the crowd before the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Saturday Night Feb. 14.

Through NBA Cares, the NBA, its teams and players have donated more than $97 million to charity, provided more than 800,000 hours of community service and created more than 350 centers for kids and families to live, learn and play.