LOS ANGELES (AP) The multi-Grammy winning Mexican rock group
Mana will provide music and a little diplomacy on its latest U.S.
tour.
The group was named goodwill ambassador Tuesday for the United
Nation's Food and Agricultural Organization and will donate $1 from
every ticket sold on the tour to the FAO and the band's wildlife
reforestation group Selva Negra.
``Mana will help FAO's message to reach younger, active
audiences in Latin America, the United States and Europe,'' said
FAO director Jacques Diouf in a recorded statement at the group's
press conference in Los Angeles.
Mana's lead singer Fher Olvera called the appointment ``a great
honor,'' and lauded the organization not only for feeding people
around the world but for helping communities create their own food
supplies.
The pop group, often referred as Latin America's U2, also urged
record companies and stores to lower the price of CDs so that fans
``wouldn't be forced to buy bad quality, pirated copies.''
The group, which begins its 18-city tour in Southern California
this week, will launch a ``greatest hits'' album in November.
Mana won a Latin Grammy this year for Best Rock Album by a Duo
or Group with Vocal.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)