NEWSMAKERS

June 21, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

NEWSMAKERS

Taylor, King raise $1.5M for charity

BOSTON

Grammy winners James Taylor and Carole King announced Sunday they have raised more than $1.5 million in charitable donations so far on their “Troubadour Reunion” tour.

Before their show at the TD Garden in Boston, they presented donations raised through the halfway point of the North American leg of the tour to the Natural Resources Defense Council, Alliance for the Wild Rockies and other charities.

The $1.5 million is 50 percent more than the singer-songwriters had anticipated.

Buffett plans free concert on Ala. beach

GULF SHORES, Ala.

Jimmy Buffett and a few of his friends plan to give a free concert on the Alabama coast to show support for the Gulf region.

Alabama tourism director Lee Sentell says show will be July 1 on the beach at Gulf Shores.

Buffett’s website says the concert is meant to demonstrate support for the people, businesses and culture of the Gulf Coast. It will be broadcast live on CMT.

Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band will be joined in Gulf Shores by Sonny Landreth, Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, Jesse Winchester and Allen Toussaint.

A special souvenir T-shirt will be designed for the concert. It will be available online and at the show.

Downey honored

CHICAGO

The Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago has honored actor Robert Downey Jr. with its Renaissance Award.

The Academy Award-nominated actor was in Chicago on Saturday to accept the award. The center says it chose to honor the 45-year-old Downey because he is “one of the most respected and versatile actors of his generation.”