Show to benefit musicians’ fund

After a series of changes, including the deaths of founders Buddy and Carol Arnold and a merger with the Recording Academy’s MusiCares wing, the Musicians Assistance Program -- created to help musicians who have substance abuse problems -- is set for a celebration.

The newly rechristened MusiCares MAP Fund will host a fundraiser at the Henry Fonda Music Box Theatre on May 20 featuring the Panic Channel (the new band featuring the musicians of Jane’s Addiction) and a group fronted by Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell.

The event is a revised version of MAP’s annual awards presentation, with Panic Channel guitarist Dave Navarro set to receive the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his support of the program. A Heart Fund honor will be given to the Goldenvoice concert promotions firm in memory of the company’s co-founder, Rick Van Santen, who died last year from complications of flu.

Tom Arnold will emcee, and other musical guests are expected to appear.

Recording Academy President Neil Portnow says this is a good time to show that the program is stronger than ever.

“We’re serving more clients than ever through this combined effort,” he says. “We’re expecting to distribute more funds, dramatically more than last year, and to more recipients. And we’ve been very pleased by the artist community’s continued support, which is what we thought would happen. To have someone like Dave Navarro who’s willing to be there and be part of this proudly means a lot.”