James Taylor Is Man of the Year

James Taylor will be honored as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences 2006 MusiCares Person of the Year in recognition of his commitment to the arts, as well as environmental and humanitarian causes, on February 6th in Los Angeles.

Jackson Browne, David Crosby, the Dixie Chicks, Carole King, Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Alison Krauss, india.arie and Paul Simon are among the artists set to pay tribute to the five-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter. "James exemplifies a unique creative spirit and his dedication to a range of philanthropic causes serves as an example and an inspiration to our entire music community," said Neil Portnow, President of the MusiCares Foundation and the Recording Academy.

Taylor emerged as a seminal singer-songwriter in 1970 with his sophomore effort, Sweet Baby James, which spawned the Top Five classic "Fire and Rain." He went on to score a total of thirteen Top Twenty releases, and his Greatest Hits compilation has sold more than ten million copies. In 2000, Taylor was inducted into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.

The Recording Academy, which started the MusiCares initiative in 1989, has previously honored Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, U2 frontman Bono and Elton John, among others. The Foundation dinner, along with a memorabilia auction, will take place February 6th, two days before the 48th Annual Grammy Awards air live on CBS.