Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes on Mega-Single

Carrie Underwood photo by Andrew Eccles, courtesy of Sony BMG Nashville.

Aug. 20, 2008 — Carrie Underwood and LeAnn Rimes are among 15 female artists taking part in the latest "We Are The World"-style charity offering: "Just Stand Up," a single that also features the likes of Sheryl Crow, Miley Cyrus, Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey.

The song, set for release via iTunes on Sept. 2, has proceeds slated for Stand Up To Cancer. In support of the effort, ABC, CBS and NBC will simulcast a one-hour special Sept. 5 that will include a performance of the song, which also features Melissa Etheridge, Leona Lewis, Rihanna, Beyonce, Fergie and Natasha Bedingfield, among others. The single is produced by Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, whose previous work as producers and label owners touched the careers of Sheena Easton, Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown.

A ton of other celebrities will also participate in the special, making personal appearances and/or answering phones. Among them are Jennifer Aniston, Katie Couric, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Neil Patrick Harris, Scarlett Johansson, Meryl Streep, Charlize Theron, Forest Whitaker, Hilary Swank and Reese Witherspoon.

Carrie and LeAnn’s participation in the Stand Up To Cancer special is one of the biggest charity events on the docket for country stars, though it’s hardly the only one. Others include:

• Willie Nelson holds his annual Farm Aid concert Sept. 20 in Massachusetts. Jamey Johnson, Kenny Chesney and One Flew South have been added to the bill, which also features John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Neil Young.

• Darryl Worley headlines the 11th annual Buds-N-Suds concert in Nashville Aug. 26. Raising money for Crohn’s Disease, the lineup also features Lee Brice and songwriters Chad Hudson and Georgia Middleman.

• Dierks Bentley plans his third annual Miles And Music For Kids motorcycle ride with Tim McGraw and John Rich on Oct. 5.

• Keith Urban’s You Look Good In My Old T-Shirt online auction continues at KeithUrbanAuction.com for another week, with money slated for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Among the top bids received by yesterday were offers for clothing worn and autographed by Dolly Parton ($605), Dwight Yoakam ($540), Josh Turner ($280) and Carrie Underwood ($275). And naturally, Keith’s drawn bids for items at $345, $405 and $430.