JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - TIMBERLAKE GIVES BACK TO MEMPHIS

Pop superstar JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE has donated a $200,000 (GBP100,000) to organisations in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. The kind-hearted SexyBack hitmaker proved he hadn't forgotten about his roots last Thursday (20Mar08), when he presented the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum with a $100,000 (GBP50,000) cheque and donated another $100,000 to the Memphis Music Foundation. He says, "Music education and keeping the legacy of Memphis Music alive has always been important to me. That is why I will always continue to support my hometown the same way they have always supported me." And his big money contributions didn't go unappreciated by the projects' leaders. John Doyle, the executive director of Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, says, "Justin Timberlake has never deserted Memphis, Tennessee. He has never stopped giving back to the community, to the local music industry, and to young people." The money will help to fund efforts to improve music education for local students.