“Have you ever been so humiliated that you didn’t want to see anybody or have to go outside your front door? That’s how I felt starting in 1993. The humiliation of having my body photographed and measured by unsympathetic Law enforcement officials pushed me over the edge mentally. I never fully recovered from that incident. That was the beginning of my downfall into heavier narcotics. I had been using drugs prior, but after that I just wanted to deaden the pain and I liked being in total oblivion. I know this may be hard for some of you to understand when you look at my success, money, power and lifestyle, but none of it made me happy because I felt like a hunted criminal. I knew that my actions were constantly being scrutinized by the authorities.

I had created my fantasy land at Neverland and it was tarnished from that point on. The only thing that made it livable was Lisa Marie and after her having Prince, then Paris and little Blanket. After the last trial there is no way I could ever stay at Neverland. I know that many of you are trying to make it a landmark or memorial. It Represents The Worst Part Of My Life And If You Really Understood That You Wouldn’t Want To Do That.

So much is going to be said in the media about my life and Doctor Murray over the next few months and I pray that you can find it in your heart to forgive him. I always said it was all about, “L.O.V.E.” and if you truly believe that No matter what your feelings are you will find a way to forgive this man.

I know that my family thinks that I would still be alive if this man had not come into my life, unfortunately that’s not true. It was only a matter of time before the drug overdose would have happened. I don’t want you to think less of me because of my drug usage; I want you to understand why I did it. My family knew I had a drug problem and tried repeatedly to get me to stop and go into treatment centers. I would go to them for a short time and then I would leave because I just couldn’t live without the drugs. Anyone who’s been addicted to anything will understand what I’m saying. I danced around the fire of drugs for many years and eventually the fire engulfed me.

I feel the anger, hurt, and pain that some of my family feel over my death I pray for them to heal and find peace once more. I know that they’re looking for harsh legal action to help them, but nothing’s going to bring me back to a physical life. Keep praying for their healing and comfort from the Divine.

When it came to business there were not many who were sharper than I was. I knew how to make deals like no one else. The industry tried to manipulate me, but they couldn’t. I was a lot stronger than many would believe. Ask the executives of Sony records and they would tell you this. My business dealings did make a lot of people angry and I certainly made my share of enemies when I was living. To be as successful as I was you don’t always make corporations happy.

I have met many other spirits over here who were like me in life, they wanted to live for peace, brotherhood, and harmony. It seems like many were persecuted in different ways for trying this. It’s not unusual that the FBI closely follows those who are attempting to change the world. I knew I was being scrutinized all the time. That was the reason I chose to leave America. I was looking for a place where I could live without so much pressure. I did find it refreshing to be outside of America for so long, but I still continued my drug usage no matter where I was. There was always a willing doctor to help me.

I felt it was important to convey this message to you at this time because the media is going to be all over the situation about my death and I want you NOT to believe what the media is telling you. Please try to THINK for your selves.

When I first passed into spirit I reveled in the freedom of not being Michael Jackson. The Divine Spirit allowed me time to be free and enjoy meeting others spirits. Now I have been going through different training sessions and I see the enormity of the work that I have to do to help you with your spirituality. My messages may not be as lighthearted as they were months before because now I want to practice teaching all of you to be humane. That’s just one of the many things that I am doing in spirit, but I feel it’s most necessary now.

If you truly believe in my message of everything being all about “L.O.V.E” I want to see you live it, not just talk about it. Stop accusing people of things, being angry, feeling that you are not treated fairly in this world (life is not easy and you need to realize that), and judgmental. No matter what happened to me I continued to live without accusations and judgments. I was a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief. If you could have lived my life you would realize what a monumental task that was. So therefore why can’t you be kind to one another? Is it difficult for you to go out of your way to help someone else? Do you really need to tear someone down for their thoughts, the way they look or their beliefs?

I want you to prove what you are saying and not just use the words. Words Are Empty Air, Actions And Intentions Are Everything.

When I see you doing acts of kindness, no matter how trivial, you make my spirit soar. Can you start smiling at everyone you meet? Can you show kindness to your family members? What about kindness to the person that irritates you the most? Send a blessing to the stranger that passes you and see how much your life changes. I truly understand righteousness in a way that was impossible in physical form. There’s so much I am learning and I want all of you to progress on planet earth, so you are elevated when you reach the spirit world.

Now is the time to take a personal inventory and ask yourself this question: Am I the person I want to be? Am I the person I ought to be? Has anyone ever told you – you ought to be thankful? Well, being told you ought to be thankful rarely causes you to be more thankful. Gratitude happens best when you keep your eyes open to spot real gifts that come your way. When you have lost your way, The Great Spirit will guide you back to your proper path and wisdom.

I still love you and the even if you can’t change I will still love you, because I see your true soul, and I know that someday you will be enlightened and see things differently.

I send you my love,
Michael”

Angel welcoming the Divine

Angels and Native American Clairvoyant Unite on Sunday February 07, 2010 at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on the Blog Talk Radio Show, “Angel Connections.”

The program is now archived and you can listen to it anytime you want by going to the following link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/angel-connection/2010/02/07/special-guest-cherokee-billie-clairvoyant-psychic
You can listen to this 24 hours a day. For all of you who were not able to hear the show live today this will be available permanently.

Please join Alicia & Shawna in welcoming their very special guest Cherokee Billie a clairvoyant psychic with years of psychic experience. She has frequently channeled the spirit of Michael Jackson on her fantastic blog. She does not use Tarot cards or any other Tools for her clairvoyant psychic readings. All answers come directly from the Great Spirit, Angels, and Guides. Cherokee Billie had her own radio show for over 22 years and has a very special website at cherokeebillie.com

Delve into spirituality with Cherokee Billie natural clairvoyant and psychic medium, Alicia Higgs an angel intuitive specializing in mediumship, angel channeling and psychic readings and Shawna Lomax an angel intuitive specializing in psychic readings, and angel channeling. We invite you to listen and to participate by calling in at (347) 202-0344 with questions or to give your opinions and experiences regarding psychic phenomena and angels.

If you miss the live show it will be archived at Cherokee Billie’s web site and on Angel Connections for you to listen to at your convenience.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – With a criminal charge looming, Michael Jackson’s doctor is negotiating his surrender to Los Angeles authorities, his attorney said Thursday.

A statement from Ed Chernoff said he was negotiating with the district attorney’s office for Dr. Conrad Murray to turn himself in, but there has been no agreement on specifics.

“When the agreement is complete, we will report further,” Chernoff said.

Murray has maintained that nothing he gave Jackson should have killed him.

Murray’s arraignment already has been set for Friday afternoon, a person familiar with the planning told The Associated Press. The person declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the situation.

The possible charge was not disclosed. However, two law enforcement officials have told the AP prosecutors plan to charge Murray with involuntary manslaughter, alleging he gave Jackson a powerful anesthetic that led to his June 25 overdose death at a rented mansion in Los Angeles.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the case.

Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the district attorney, would not confirm or deny that Murray would appear Friday at the courthouse.

Murray, who has a practice in Houston, came to Los Angeles last weekend and has been strategizing with his defense team.

Police have been investigating Murray since Jackson’s death. The doctor told detectives he’d given the singer a powerful anesthetic and other sedatives to get the chronic insomniac star to sleep. Jackson, 50, died soon thereafter, and investigators have been gathering evidence to try to show Murray was negligent in administering the drugs.

Click here for more information on this case

We are the World

The scene inside Henson Recording Studios Monday evening was eerily familiar and altogether altered. Quincy Jones in headphones raised a victorious fist before conducting a fresh take of We Are the World before a celebrity choir. Déjà vu.

But this was a fresh slate of singers. Not a single returnee stood among the 80-plus celebrities linking voices on We Are the World: 25 for Haiti, an updated twist on the classic that raised $63 million for African famine relief efforts.

Lionel Richie, who co-wrote the original, envisioned a new generation for the remake benefiting Haiti earthquake victims, said Randy Phillips, president/CEO of AEG Live. “He didn’t want to do the same thing again. That would have been an easier way to book this thing.”

The lyrics have been tweaked by Richie, and will.i.am wrote a rap “Greek chorus” extension. Producer RedOne gave the music a rhythmic face lift, and Wyclef Jean will apply a Haitian lilt to the track.

Turnout was stupendous, with stars ranging from Pink, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson to Zac Brown, LL Cool J and Carlos Santana. Some invitations were rejected by those unwilling to readdress an iconic tune, Phillips said. Others, like Taylor Swift, couldn’t untangle scheduling conflicts. A few, such as Janet Jackson, will be added remotely. And a handful simply declined.

“The stars who turned us down will regret not doing it,” he said.

Despite a total cast turnover, Nancy Wilson of Heart saw a strong parallel to the 1985 lineup.

“I just remember thinking, ‘What an odd collection of unlikely people that somehow managed to be cool together anyway,’ ” she said. “That’s how it felt tonight.”

Those in attendance reveled in the party atmosphere. “It’s a good vibe going on,” Idol judge Randy Jackson reported.

Behind the scenes:

•Babs nails it: In a side studio, infamous perfectionist Barbra Streisand struggled to get the proper emphasis and cadence as she taped her solo lines over and over. “Are you getting the right sound?” she asked the engineer. “It’s faster than the original, isn’t it?”

Patti Austin stepped in to coach her, singing along at one point, then exulting, “That’s smokin’! Do it just like that!”

•Somebody to lean on: Her feet aching during the marathon session, Melanie Fiona leaned against Musiq Soulchild at one point, triggering a musical detour.

“I said, ‘This is We Are the World, not Lean on Me,’ and then Celine Dion just started going in (singing Lean on Me),” Soulchild said. “Everybody started chiming in. It was very organic. I started an avalanche. People were gracious enough to let us go. We’re artists, we’re creative people. We need to let it out. I apologize if it was inappropriate. My bad.”

•Newbies: Among the younger singers were Ethan Bortnick, the 9-year-old composer/pianist, and Season 6 American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, 20.

“I wasn’t born yet, but the song has had a huge impact on me,” Sparks said. “They’ve changed it up a little bit, so it’s a new version with a little more — I hate this word — but swag.”

She felt a little lost in the sea of longtime music pals. “There’s a lot of inside jokes, and I’m like, I don’t get it.”

Justin Bieber, 15, was a little anxious, not about reprising the opening verse, but about his proximity to Nicole Scherzinger. “It was hard to take my eyes off her, she’s so gorgeous.”

•No bad raps:Brandy was surprised to see so many rappers in the crowd and found Snoop Dogg’s presence “hilarious,” but not because he can’t carry a tune. “To hear him sing in key and with vibrato is pretty cool,” she said.

•Weezy’s reminder: Lil Wayne was surprised to find himself in such an illustrious crowd of fine singers. “I’ve never been involved in something like this,” he said. “I feel blessed (but) I was like, what am I doing? My mother just wanted me to take Gladys Knight’s picture.”

His parting shot: “It’s amazing what’s been done for Haiti, but it’s also amazing what hasn’t been done for New Orleans (since Hurricane Katrina).”

•Happy campers: “It feels like the first day at camp,” said Josh Groban, who was in no rush to go home. “I don’t have a softball game to run to like the Jonas Brothers. The 10-minute breaks become, ‘So what are you working on?’ So many of us are fans of the people around us. It’s a party in there.”

He exchanged phone numbers with Zac Brown. For his solo, Groban did Kenny Rogers’ original harmony part “with some riff at the end, the token classical note.”

Giddiness aside, the singers were nervous, he said. “We were all cognizant of the fact that the original had such a powerful impact.”

•New and improved: Co-producer Wyclef Jean understands that purists don’t want the original World retooled. “When you have a classic, you don’t want to touch it,” he says. But he promises his contemporized take will be “a big version” and a boon for his native Haiti.

He’s also delighted to be at the hub of such a stellar cast.

“I feel like a kid in a candy store,” he says. “The first time I heard (Richie’s) All Night Long, I was 15, working at a Burger King (and) barely spoke English.”

•It’s no joke: Did actor Vince Vaughn think it was a prank when Jones summoned him for the chorus?

“Nope!” he says emphatically, declining to share a taste of his vocal skills. “You don’t want the pink little spoon. You want the whole sundae. You’re going to have to wait for it.”

Turning serious, he said he was grateful to be included in a project with such strong potential for good.

“Music is the highest art form,” he said. “Music can take you the farthest, the fastest emotionally. All songs on some level are prayers. To come and say a prayer with all these very talented people tonight was a great thing to do.”

•Akon’s tale: Thanks to his ties to Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, Akon heard loads of stories about the original World recording sessions. “I never felt that I’d be in a position to be remaking it and actually be able to tell my own story someday.”

•Egos? Checked: Anthony Hamilton was impressed by the camaraderie. “I was blown away,” he said. “We all turned into groupies. Even Tony Bennett probably had a handheld (camera), just like, ‘Oh, my God, that’s Lil Wayne.’ Everybody’s egos were at coat check. It was clean energy.”

He reported only one kink in the love fest: “I think Jamie Foxx stole my wallet.”

•Going green: A few figures clad head-to-toe in green were planted amid the celebrities so that, through green-screen technology, fans later will be able to insert themselves into the video online.

•A family affair: Richie’s daughter Nicole, who was in the chorus, brought 2-year-old daughter Harlow, cradled by dad Joel Madden of Good Charlotte. Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden, Joel’s twin brother, also participated. Nicole was 3 when she was in the studio with her dad during the original recording.

•The bottom line: The joyous nature of the event did not undercut the serious mission. “People are having a great time singing that song even though it is a tragedy,” Dion said. “We are feeling every word of it. We will make a difference. We’re enjoying ourselves because we want to change what’s going on. People are very touched to be there.”

Prince and Paris Jackson

The big night for the music industry has come, and one of the biggest artists in history has been given a proper tribute. During the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, thousands gathered to honor the late and great Michael Jackson.

Several performers were included in the tribute, which was aired during the Grammy telecast. Aside from the musical numbers, there was a 3D mini movie of Jackson’s Earth Song, which was designed for the This is It Tour.

Those who performed for the tribute were Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood and Usher. They were highly praised for their act, which definitely was a highlight of the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. The crowd even leapt up for a standing ovation right after.

On behalf of the beloved artist, Michael Jackson’s children graced the stage to receive the trophy. Prince and Paris Jackson were handed the Michael Jackson Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award for their father, which led them to thank the evening’s guests. Joining Prince and Paris for the event were their cousins, who stood by them throughout.

Prince Michael showed his appreciation for all his father’s fans. This was followed by an announcement of the family’s love of charity projects, in the hopes of sharing their philanthropic passion with the rest of the world.

“Through all his songs, his message was simple: love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world,” Prince said.

He also expressed his gratitude for his grandparents, who were there to support the two through the last seven months since the death of Michael Jackson. Meanwhile, his sister Paris went on to thank the crowd that gathered to make this moment special. She also added that her dad would have wanted to perform for this year’s Grammys, since he was unable to do so in 2009.

The tribute certainly was a commendable way of showing respect for the late Michael Jackson. He may have had his share of Grammy Awards during his career, but this Lifetime Achievement one truly counts.

Michael Jackson was a fan of the more than 1,500 Filipino inmates who performed the choreography for his video “Thriller” in 2007 and created a viral hit.

Jackson watched the videos of Cebu Provincial Detention And Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) prisoners during breaks from his tour rehearsals for “This Is It,” his choreographer Travis Payne said.

Payne recently contacted Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, and arranged to make a surprise visit to meet the performers in the high security prison, the Philippines’ Manila Bulletin reported.

Payne spent two hours on Sun., Jan. 17, and Mon., Jan. 18, teaching the dancers the routines from Jackson’s posthumous “This Is It” film.
“The Drill” is the last scene Payne and Jackson worked on together before the pop icon died in June. The clip was released over the weekend, days before the Tues., Jan. 26 release of the “This Is It” DVD.

The CPDRC performance videos of Jackson’s “Thriller,” “Dangerous,” and the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A,” among others, are all well done.

But Payne, who worked with Jackson for more than 10 years, was able to take their performance to new heights. Their rendition of Jackson’s “They Don’t Really Care About Us” is comparable to the scene in “This Is It.”
The “This Is It” version is a highlight of the film. It features a group of dancers who were digitally replicated to appear as an army. Payne’s work with the CPDRC men brought this virtual sequence to real life.

The inmates were not initially receptive to participating in the choreographed dances, said Bryon Garcia, a security consultant for the prison. He suggested the activity to keep the prisoners busy during their downtime, the Manila Bulletin reported.

According to the New York Times, Bryon decided to post videos of the prisoners dancing online to publicize some of the positive changes he implemented at Cebu since joining the staff in 2004.

If you read a recent front page story of the SF Chronicle, you would have read about a female humpback whale that had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallon Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help.

tangled whale

Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her.

They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.

thankful whale

When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles.

She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed them gently around: she was thanking them. Some said it was the most beautiful experience of their lives.

The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth said her eyes were following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.

May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you.

And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.
I pass this on to you, my friends, in the same spirit.

Native American Totem

I felt that this would be a good addition for those who have not found their animal totem. An Animal Totem is an important symbolic object used by a person to get in touch with specific qualities found within an animal which the person needs, connects with, or feels a deep affinity toward. In the Native American culture this is the reason people wear fur, feathers or heads of animals on their body, because they were taking on the energy of the animal.

You can have several animal guides through out your life. Sometimes an animal guide will come into your life for a short period of time, and then be replaced by another depending on the journey or direction you are headed toward. Your guide will instruct and protect you as you learn how to navigate through your spiritual and physical life. When you find an animal that speaks strongly to you or feel you must draw more deeply into your life, you might fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know its welcome in your space. Animal guides can help you get back to your Earthly roots, and reconnect with nature by reminding you that we are all interconnected. To first do this you need to know what your Animal Totem is.

If You Don’t Know

If you don’t know what your Animal Totem is there are several questions you can ask yourself. All of the questions below are designed to get you thinking about a prominent animal in your life. There is no right or wrong answers. Only you can truly know which Animal Totem(s) are right for your journey.

Since we are drawn to that which resonates with us, what animal, bird, or insect are you drawn to?

When you go to the park, forest, or zoo what animal are you most interested in seeing?

What animal do you most frequently see when you’re out in nature or in the city?

What animals are you currently interested in learning about?

Which animal do you find most frightening or intriguing?

Have you ever been bitten or attacked by an animal?

Is there a recurring animal in your dreams or do you have one you have never forgotten? Still

Uncertain?

If you are still uncertain which animal is your totem, here a few exercises you can do to come closer to the answer. You must not try to force the animal to come, it can pick up on that energy and be put off. Being patient and doing the following exercises will draw your animal totem to you.

Ask yourself what animal has played a meaningful part in your world? If you’re unsure, make a list of animals that have drawn your interest or have left a deep impression on you from paintings, photographs, stories, movies, carvings, etc.

Which animal shows up in your life most frequently? Keep a journal of the animals present in your dreams or that you encounter through the day for the next month. How did the animal behave? Did you interact with the animal?

Find a place where you can be alone to meditate. Sit quietly and ask your animal to make its nature known to you. Feel free to use tools such as incense, smudge, and candles to help you.

Don’t give up; sometimes your animal totem is nearby watching to see if you’re serious about connecting with it. Keep doing the above exercises until your animal totem makes itself known to you.

To read more about what your Animal totem means CLICK HERE

I highly recommend the book: Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals by Jamie Sams, David Carson. This will enlighten you can show you how a different animal can resonate with you every day.

Hope for Haiti

Grim-faced celebrities and musicians with mournful tunes set the tone for the all-star, international “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon, which featured two hours of desperate pleas for an even more-desperate nation. But it ended on a hopeful note, with a buoyant call for Haiti’s revival by native son, Wyclef Jean.

“Enough of this moping man, let’s rebuild Haiti, let’s show ‘em how we do it where we come from!” Jean shouted after singing the slow song “Rivers of Babylon,” with a Haitian flag around his neck.

He segued into the joyful tune “Yele” with an island beat, as musicians danced around him, singing the refrain: “Earthquake, we see the earth shake, but the soul of the Haitian people will never break!”

It was a stark contrast from the opening of the telecast: no words, simply photos of Haiti’s tragic citizens as a backdrop, as Alicia Keys called for the help of angels in somber tune.

“Can you send me an angel to guide me?” Keys sang from her song “Prelude to a Kiss.” There was no audience or applause, allowing the moment to sink in for the millions expected to watch.

“Can you send me an angel to guide me?” Keys from her song “Prelude to a Kiss.” There was no audience or applause, allowing the moment to sink in for the millions expected to watch.

“The Haitian people need our help,” said George Clooney, who helped organize the two-hour telecast. “They need to know that they are not alone. They need to know that we still care.”

Then, after an impassioned plea from Halle Berry, Bruce Springsteen dedicated a song for Haiti — “We Shall Overcome.”

Since Haiti suffered the devastating earthquake on Jan. 12 that killed more than 200,000 people, the entertainment world has responded with an outpouring of charity, from million dollar donations to songs designed to raise money for relief.

On Friday night, those efforts became collective as the biggest celebrities from music, film, sports and even politics joined together for the telethon. Stars like Mel Gibson, Reese Witherspoon and Julia Roberts manned telephone lines while CNN’s Anderson Cooper gave reports about the situation from Haiti. Heartbreaking video showed Haitians buried in rubble and badly injured, with tears and overwhelming sorrow etched on their faces.

Although the celebrity phone bank appeared to be continuously busy with donation calls, some of which were piped into the telecast, it was not immediately known how much money was raised by the show.

Most of the musical performances were downbeat, emotional songs. John Legend sang “I Feel Like A Motherless Child.” Kid Rock, Keith Urban and Sheryl Crow sang “Lean On Me.” Beyonce, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin backing her on piano, revised her hit “Halo” with new lyrics: “Haiti we can see your halo, we pray you won’t fade away.”

Madonna provided one of the few upbeat moments with her choir-backed performance of “Like A Prayer,” while Sting’s “Driven To Tears” was also spirited.

Jay-Z, Rihanna and U2’s Bono and The Edge debuted a new song, “Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour),” as Jay-Z rapped from London: “When the sky falls, and the earth quakes, we can gon’ this back together, we won’t break.”

Mickelson Civil, a Haitian filmmaker, fought back tears as he talked about relatives who died and those who are barely surviving: “The survivors shouldn’t have to go hungry or be afraid now,” he said.

Jean made one of the more personal celebrity appeals of the evening, speaking of his experience after witnessing the torment of the nation first hand.

“I carried bodies of my people in the cemetery. They should have been walking,” he said. “Instead they were heavy in my arms. … Right now we can see the second wave of the disaster coming … We have to make sure that the second wave never makes it to Haiti.”

Jean ended his comments with a message directly to the Haitian people, in Creole. Jean’s Yele Haiti Foundation is one of the groups that will benefit from the evening’s donations; Jean had come under criticism for the spending practices of the foundation, and before the telethon Friday announced a new accounting firm to handle the group’s finances after acknowledging past mistakes.

The telethon was broadcast from New York, London, Los Angeles and Haiti, and was featured on all the major networks and channels. It was also streamed live on sites like YouTube and MySpace.

Haitians were able to listen on Radio One Haiti.

Leonardo DiCaprio was among those celebrities who urged viewers to donate; on Thursday, he joined the list of previous celebrities donors with a $1 million gift to The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, one of several organizations that will benefit from the telethon.

John Mayer called in a $500,000 donation before the telethon began, according to a representative for MTV.

People were able to start donating even before the telethon at a newly established Web site, and also through text or telephone. Viewers will also be able to purchase performances from the evening on Saturday by way of iTunes for 99 cents, with those proceeds going to relief aid as well.

The telethon won’t be the last major celebrity effort for Haiti; BET plans to hold its own all-star telethon on Feb. 5, with Diddy and Queen Latifah as hosts. It will also be aired on MTV and VH1.

George Clooney Help for Haiti Telethon

We may only be a couple weeks into 2010, but George Clooney already seems to have a lock on Good Guy of the Year.

The actor is currently making the most of his anytime minutes, placing calls to all of his fellow A-list do-gooders in hopes of getting them to man the phone lines at a telethon he’s planning to host to benefit earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

MTV has confirmed that the telethon is on. It is expected to air Jan. 22 from 8-10 p.m. ET across all of MTV’s platforms, including VH1, as well as on ABC, NBC, HBO and CNN. Celebs will be participating from both coasts.

There’s no word yet on which stars will be lending a hand, though according to Showbiz 411, which first reported the news, Sting and wife Trudie Styler were the first to sign on after bumping into Clooney at a party honoring Up in the Air last night.

Plenty of stars have already offered aid to the devastated nation, with native son Wyclef Jean organizing relief efforts through his Yéle Haiti Foundation, and Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt kicking in $1 million to the cause.

Clooney may want to speed-dial Ashton Kutcher, Rainn Wilson, Olivia Wilde, John Legend, Alyssa Milano, Selena Gomez, Lindsay Lohan and E!’s Sal Masekala, all of whom have encouraged donations and assistance to quake victims through Twitter this week.

Clooney said, “We are doing a telethon on all the channels, every network in the United States and Internationally. It’s an unbelievable show. Bono’s written a song for it and Songs are going to be available on iTunes that night.