Juanes show preview (Orlando Weekly)

Unlike most pop stars with activist streaks, Colombian rocker Juanes puts his money where his mouth is. When escalating border tensions between his country, Venezuela and Ecuador threatened stability in the region, Juanes organized a free concert on the Colombia-Ecuador border that went off last month without a hitch. Of course it featured Juanes, along with Juan Luis Guerra, Alejandro Sanz and other stars, and drew 100,000 fans ready to enjoy the music and to send a strong message to their governments about maintaining peace in the area. Musicians seldom get the chance to be effective social advocates, but Juanes delivers positive and thoughtful messages wrapped in accessible and innovative music.

First appeared April 10, 2008 in Orlando Weekly.