Eric Clapton to play fundraiser

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood have signed on to play a fundraiser for a group dedicated to preserving the rural way of life in England. The Countryside Rocks show on May 19th at Highclere Castle in Newbury will include Winwood, Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry, and former Faces and Who drummer Kenney Jones with his band the Jones Gang, which also includes ex-Foreigner and Peter Frampton bassist Rick Wills and one-time Bad Company singer-guitarist Robert Hart. Clapton is listed as making a "special guest appearance" at the event.

Proceeds will go to the Countryside Alliance, which works to preserve "the countryside and the rural way of life." The Countryside Alliance is also concerned with fishing and tax reform for rural areas.

Clapton is a repeat performer, having been part of the show last year.