Music icon Neil Young will be honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year at its 20th anniversary gala on January 29, 2010, in recognition of his influential artistic accomplishments and his philanthropic work.

Proceeds from the annual gala during Grammy Week in Los Angeles, CA, benefits MusiCares, which provides financial, medical and personal assistance to those in need in the music industry. Tickets are available by calling 310-392-3777.

“It is an honor to celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Neil Young at our 20th Annual MusiCares Person of the Year tribute,” said Neil Portnow, president/CEO of the MusiCares Foundation and The Recording Academy, in a statement.

Buy Sell and Go with confidence at StubHub

Portnow continued, “Neil has set a standard of artistic integrity and iconoclastic creativity for more than four decades, and his achievements have been matched by his unwavering humanitarianism. He is a shining example of how music people offer their creative gifts to the world, and how they also give back through their commitments to charitable endeavors.”

Young’s philanthropic work is as celebrated as his storied career and musical legacy, which includes his 1982 induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and two inductions in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — in 1995 for his solo work and in 1997 as a member of 1960’s group Buffalo Springfield.

Young is one of the original founders of Farm Aid in 1985 and remains active on the organization’s board of directors. This year’s event is October 4 in St. Louis, MO at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.

15 for $15 with Napster!In 1986, Young and his wife Pegi helped found the Bridge School, which ensures that children with severe speech and physical impairments could learn, grow and thrive while developing the specific skills and abilities each child is likely to need to be successful as adults and to realize a high quality of life.

Every October at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA, Young and his wife organize and host the annual Bridge School Benefit concert. This year’s 23rd event will be held October 24-25. Among last year’s participating artists included Young, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan, Death Cab for Cutie and Wilco.

Young and his wife also created the annual Heart of Gold Gala, first held in 2006.