About Red Hot
Red Hot Organization (RHO) is a not-for-profit, 501(c) 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.
Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 16 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise donations totaling more than 10 million dollars for HIV / AIDS relief and awareness around the world.
Interested in getting involved? Red Hot is always looking for qualified interns, guest bloggers, and volunteers. Send a resume and cover letter to info@redhot.org to get started!
HISTORY
First founded as King Cole, Inc. by John Carlin and Leigh Blake, Red Hot was founded in 1989 as a response to the devastation wrought by AIDS on a generation of New York artists and intellectuals. John Carlin, who first pursued a career as an Entertainment lawyer after receiving a degree in comparative literature from Columbia University, a Ph.D. from Yale in the same subject, and a law degree from Columbia had an “improbable dream: to create an AIDS charity album with pop stars singing Cole Porter songs.”
In 1990 the dream was realized when Red Hot + Blue was released, featuring such stars as David Byrne, Annie Lennox, Tom Waits, U2 and Erasure. Carlin, 43 at the time, couldn’t believe he pulled it off: “That CD was inspired by naïveté and sheer will.” Red Hot + Blue ultimately sold over 1 million copies worldwide, and raised millions of dollars for AIDS charities such as AmFAR and ActUp.The release of the Red Hot + Blue became the template for many charity projects that followed. Its one and a half hour TV special, hosted by Richard Gere, Carrie Fischer and Kyle Maclachlan aired on Internationals AIDS day during prime time on ABC.
Today, Red Hot acts more like a creative production company than a traditional charitable organization. Overhead is kept to a minimum and production focused on making innovative projects that target hard to reach audiences by using popular culture and artful propaganda. Revenues from these projects are given to traditional charities, often in collaboration with the artists who have contributed their music or art. 2010 was a milestone year for Red Hot when donations from the proceeds of Dark Was The Night alone surpassed the $1 million mark.
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Contact Us
Red Hot Organization
112 Madison Ave.
+ 1 212.343.0043
New York, NY 10016
Email Us » Staff
John CarlinFounder & CEOPaul HeckProducer & Artist LiasonBéco DranofProducerfelicity chamberlinProject + Events CoordinatorDustin ReidNew Media Director