2014 in Review: 20 Music Stars to the Rescue

As we embark on a new year, DogTipper takes a look back at some of the musical artists who were instrumental in helping dogs and cats in need in 2014:

Kris Allen— The season eight American Idol winner used his voice to help those who cannot speak for themselves when he contributed the song “Unique” to Songs for Shelter Me, an 11-track compilation CD with tunes from, or inspired by, the PBS documentary series Shelter Me. A portion of the proceeds from CD sales helps efforts to transport animals overlooked in overcrowded shelters; contributes to ending the problem of pet overpopulation through financial assistance for spay/neuter services; aids adoption events and furthers the public’s education about the need for proper pet parenting.

Lance Bass— Helping homeless canines say “Bye Bye Bye” to life without a pet parent, the former member of Nsync not only partnered with reality personality Lisa Vanderpump to co-host an adoption event, but also fostered a homeless dog from Lucky Puppy Rescue and Retail.

Billy Corgan— Fans of Fidos, felines and music festivals gathered in the Smashing Pumpkins’ frontman’s hometown for a solo acoustic performance by the celebrated singer which raised funds for PAWS Chicago.

Andrew Dost— As a member of the two-time Grammy Award-winning band fun. he’s co-written such toe-tapping tunes as “We Are Young” and “Some Nights,” and as a dog devotee the musician helped to write a new chapter in the lives of homeless Detroit-area dogs and cats when he donated his pay for creating compositions to calm canines (which aired on DogTV) to A ReJoyceful Animal Rescue.

Kinky Friedman— Texas tunesmiths like nine-time Grammy Award winners Asleep at the Wheel and Grammy-nominated Billy Joe Shavers joined raised their voices in song at a Concert for Utopia to raise funds for the Texas troubadour’s rescue organization, Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch.

Mickey Gilley— He rose to the top of the charts with his remake of “Stand By Me,” and in 2014 the Academy of Country Music Award-winning recording artist stood by his conviction to help dogs and cats who need forever homes when he crooned his hit tunes at a concert benefiting the Alton Area Animal Aid Association, which has rescued more than 20,000 companion animals in need since its start in 1956.

A Great Big World— The indie pop duo who rocketed to the top of the charts with the ballad “Say Something” did something big to help adorable adoptables from more than 20 Georgia rescue organizations when they performed at Woofstock: Pet Party in the Park.

Emmylou Harris— Creating change in the lives of our homeless tail-wagging chums in the Nashville area every day of the year thanks to her rescue organization Bonaparte’s Retreat Dog Rescue, the singer performed for the paws cause at several events in 2014, including Bonaparte’s Retreat’s annual fundraiser, Woofstock at Fontanel. The 13-time Grammy Award winner also received an accolade from Best Friends Animal Society in recognition of her ongoing efforts.

Billy Joel— It may be customary to receive gifts on your birthday, but when The Piano Man turned 65 he turned his birthday performance at Madison Square Garden into an opportunity to give cats in need the present of a better future but donating the proceeds from the historic concert to Bianca’s Furry Friends– a proposed 14,000-square-foot feline Adoption and Wellness Center which will be built on the second floor of the North Shore Animal League America headquarters. A doggedly devoted to our barking buddies, the perennial performer also posed with his rescue Pug, Rosie, for a 2015 calendar benefitting the world’s largest animal rescue and adoption center. (The singing superstar shared a passion for compassion toward all creatures great and small with his mother, who passed away in July 2014. In lieu of flowers, those paying their respects were requested to make a donation to The Little Shelter animal rescue in Huntington, Long Island.)

Naomi Judd— Once one-half of the chart-topping mother/daughter duo The Judds, the singer put a song in the hearts of her fans when she partnered with The American Humane Association on a visit to Capital Hill to shine a spotlight on the benefits of animal-assisted therapy and the Canines and Childhood Cancer Study.

Country star Naomi Judd with @AmericanHumane @weatherchannel therapy dog Butler and Amy! #BKTA99 #caninesincongress pic.twitter.com/aonc8fMdtk

— American Humane (@AmericanHumane) May 8, 2014

Bobby Kimball— Key to helping animals in need through his organization Saving K9 Lives Plus, the original lead singer of Toto joined Bow Wow Wow lead vocalist Annabella Lwin, Spencer Davis of The Speincer Davis Group, Wllis Hall from Tower of Power and other recording artists on stage for the fundraising concert “Singing for the Voiceless.”

Miranda Lambert— The multi-platinum-selling recording artist has a heart of gold when it comes to companion animals. and this past year the entertainer not only helped to renovate the animal shelter in her hometown of Tishomingo, Oklahoma, her organization MuttNation Foundation also celebrated its transformation into a no-kill facility, Redemption Ranch.

Nils Lofgren— As a member of The E Street Band he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, and as a dog devotee the guitarist helped to put Best Friends Animal Society in the spotlight by posing with his pack of pups for the “Save Them All” campaign.

Barbara Mandrell— She’s a queen of country music, but to her Fido-and feline-loving fans the Grammy Award winner is a queen of hearts for helping paws causes. In 2014 the singer stepped into the role of host for the Unleashed Dinner with your Dog fundraiser for the Nashville Humane Society, and she partnered with Nashville star Clare Bowen to co-emcee the sixth annual Mars Petcare Adoption Fair– the largest pet adoption fair in the state of Tennessee.

Biz Markie— The Clown Prince of Hip Hop who topped the charts in 1989 with his comedic classic “Just a Friend,” raised the roof for the sake of those who woof at the fourth annual Beer for Beasts fundraiser benefiting The Humane Society of New York.

Kacie Musgraves— The “Follow Your Arrow” singer followed her heart when she decided to perform for a paws cause at Lulu’s Barkin’ BBQ fundraiser, which benefited the largest community-based animal welfare organization in the Rocky Mountain region, Dumb Friends League.

Thomas Rhett— His debut studio album It Goes Like This went all the way to number two on the country music charts, and the singer holds the number one spot in the hearts of his Fido-loving fans for making a donation to the no-kill animal shelter Redemption Ranch, a five-acre facility which is now operated by Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation.

Fred Schneider— The lead vocalist for The B-52s may be known for singing about a “Rock Lobster,” but this past year he used his voice to narrate a children’s tale about an adoptable dog. Sales of Sassafrass Jones and the Search for a Forever Home, which includes an adio book CD, benefits several national and local organizations, including The Humane Society of New York and Canine Companions for Independence.

Nikki Sixx— A heavy metal legend with a soft heart when it comes to animals, the Motley Crue bassist helped dogs from the San Bernardino Animal Shelter land permanent gigs in forever homes.

Saffron Sprackling— The lead singer of the electronica band Republica, who has audiences moving their feet to the beat of the dance rock anthem “Ready to Go,” went to Romania with Wetnose Animal Aid to help shine a spotlight on the plight of the country’s stray dogs.

Photo Credit: American Humane/Twitter; Best Friends Animal Society; TexasTripper