Watch Peter Asher Take Part in George Harrison’s Material World Foundation #InnerLight2020 Challenge Surrounded By Dogs

The #InnerLight2020 Challenge is an initiative launched in late March by the Material World Foundation, originally founded by George Harrison in 1973.

The “challenge,” as it is, is a global effort to raise money to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and has involved the participation of musical talents the world over.

The challenge calls for participants to try their hand performing the Beatles song “Inner Light,” which was written by Harrison and appeared originally a non-album single released in 1968 as the b-side to “Lady Madonna.”

Here’s Dhani Harrison with more in terms of an explanation:

Join The Inner Light Challenge by sharing a verse, chorus or line from @thebeatles song & post it with the hashtag #innerlight2020 & help raise an additional $100k during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sing it, play it, hum it, paint it, chant it, share the love https://t.co/yQw779BhWs pic.twitter.com/wXtRETgobj

— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) March 26, 2020

For example, here’s Apple Records icon and music legend Peter Asher’s submission, featuring Asher on the couch at home surrounded by a faithful and adoring dog audience:

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Once I heard about Dhani and Olivia’s incredibly generous and imaginative “Inner Light Challenge” I knew I had to join in. Dhani Harrison, in conjunction with George Harrison's The Material World Foundation is donating $500,000 to MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, Save the Children and Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) charities to help their effort in providing care amid the coronavirus crisis. The Challenge was inspired by George’s Beatles tune “The Inner Light” which features the relevant lyrics "Without going out of my door, I can know all things on Earth / Without looking out of my window, I can know the ways of heaven." The challenge asks people around the globe to share a verse, chorus, or line from the song and post it with the hashtag #innerlight2020. For every person that shares their own "Inner Light" moment on social media using the hashtag, the Material World Foundation will give another $1 (up to $100,000) to help those affected by the virus.. In my case I figured that every great tune needs a ukulele version eventually – an instrument that George loved almost as much as the Indian instruments he used so creatively on the Beatles’ version of the song and one which (as you may know) is a favourite of mine as well. ! I love the song and this was really fun to do.

A post shared by Peter Asher (@officialpeterasher) on Apr 12, 2020 at 11:40pm PDT

The Material World Foundation website has culled together tons of #InnerLightChallenge submissions, here are some highlights:

Anoushka Shankar

Benmont Tench

Jeff Lynne

John Densmore of the Doors

Willie Nelson‘s sons Lukas and Micah Nelson:

LP

Mick Fleetwood

Paul Rodgers

Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles;

Here’s the full layout of the guidelines for the #InnerLightChallenge so you can join the mix yourself:

THE INNER LIGHT

The Material World Foundation, created by George Harrison in 1973, is today donating $500,000 to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, Save the Children, and Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) charities, which are providing much needed aid and care during this COVID-19 pandemic.
“Without going out of my door, I can know all things on earth.
Without looking out of my window, I can know the ways of heaven.”
Olivia Harrison said, “These lyrics sung by George are a positive reminder to all of us who are isolating, in quarantine or respecting the request to shelter in place. Let’s get and stay connected at this difficult time. There are things we can do to help and we invite you to share your Inner Light.”

THE INNER LIGHT CHALLENGE

Material World Foundation will donate another $1 (up to $100,000) for every one of you who shares their own “Inner Light” moment on social media using the hashtag #innerlight2020

This can be a verse, a chorus or a line from the song. Sing it, play it, hum it, strum it, paint it, knit it, chant it, plant it, pray or meditate and post it to social media.

Remember to hashtag #innerlight2020