Grammy week 2010 isn't for another five months and we don't know a single nominee yet, but we already have January 29 marked on the Spinner calendar as one to remember. Why the early excitement? Because Neil Young is being honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year for his incredible resume of philanthropic efforts, from his annual Bridge School benefits to his work with Farm Aid. The 63-year-old Young will join the prestigious past honorees such as Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Sting, James Taylor, Brian Wilson, Bono, Don Henley, Paul Simon and the 2009 winner, Neil Diamond.

"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," said Recording Academy president Neil Portnow in a press release. "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."

What has us so psyched, though, is the annual dinner that accompanies the presentation. The show, always one of the highlights of Grammy week, finds the honoree being treated to a musical celebration of their work by their peers. For example, this year's fete featured the Foo Fighters, Coldplay and more rocking out Diamond tunes. And past years have seen the likes of Garth Brooks covering Joel and the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jeff Beck musically toasting Wilson.

Given that this year is the 20th anniversary of MusiCares, the fact that Young -- who has never won a Grammy -- is one of music's most respected and beloved figures and almost anyone who's mattered in music in the last two decades has performed at his annual Bridge School benefit in the Bay Area, we certainly anticipate this show should be unforgettable.