Held at the Martin Cadillac dealership in West Los Angeles, Wilson opened the event with an earnest story of how he met his wife at this very same car dealer back in the late ‘70s--who at the time was his salesperson. “[He] bought the first Cadillac I showed him,” she interjected. Ah, the ‘70s. I recalled my own youth when my father too bought his first Cadillac here as well. I smiled at the thought that maybe Mrs. Wilson had sold my father his first Caddy, too (he did have a female salesperson then). What a beauty, she was one of the first Seville’s, a two-tone metallic silver grey with thick grey leather seats, chrome spoke wheels (the infamous $100 Caddy hub caps), and of course whitewall tires. It was the car I drove to my high school prom, but listening to Brian’s soft voice took me further back to memories of surfing the ’Bu (that’s Malibu) and listening to songs like “Good Vibrations,” “Little Surfer Girl,” and “Help Me Ronda,” while riding in my cousin’s ‘69 Camaro SS along Pacific Coast Highway.

It’s no wonder Music Cares chose Wilson, who just released his Smile album, as this year’s Person of the Year. A worthy cause that offers anyone in the music industry, who has fallen upon hard times, financial assistance as well as support for addiction and counseling. Wilson exudes warmth and love, and it is his true spirit of kindness that makes Music Cares worthy of everyone’s support. GM was kind enough to donate this vehicle and with some sprucing and tuning, as well as a signature from Brian Wilson, this XLR (reportedly valued at $91,000) is an instant prize on the auction block.

As I watched this years Grammys in awe of some really great performances, I felt that there was a spirit of unity in that great hall, and that music really can bring us all a little closer together.