WASHINGTON — The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation is pleased to announce that Sting, the world-renowned recording artist and songwriter, will perform at the foundation’s 10th anniversary gala, where its Foley Freedom Awards will be presented. The event will be held on May 1st at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Tickets to the event are available for purchase at www.foleyfreedomawards.org.
James Foley, a freelance journalist, was captured in Syria by ISIS in 2012 and murdered in 2014. Later that year his family created the foundation, which is dedicated to securing the freedom of Americans unjustly held captive abroad, preventing future hostage taking and improving journalist safety.
Sting will perform the song “The Empty Chair,” which he co-wrote with American record producer J. Ralph for the 2016 documentary film Jim: The James Foley Story, at the suggestion of Jim’s childhood friend and the film’s director, Brian Oakes. The song was nominated for a 2017 Academy Award and the film received the Primetime Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking and the 2016 Sundance Audience Award.
“We are forever grateful to Sting and J. Ralph for the lovely gift of their song “The Empty Chair,” Foley Foundation President and Founder Diane Foley said. “Its poignant music and lyrics remind us that Jim and all who we have lost live on in us. We are humbled and deeply honored that Sting has offered to perform this tribute at our 10th anniversary gala.”
A composer, singer-songwriter, actor, author and activist, Sting as a solo artist has received 11 GRAMMY Awards®, two Brits, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, four Oscar nominations, a TONY nomination, Billboard Magazine’s Century Award, and MusiCares 2004 Person of the Year. From 1977 to 1986, he was a member of the English rock band, The Police. The group earned six GRAMMY Awards® and two Brits, and was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
