America: A Tribute to Heroes was broadcast live and commercial-free on over 31 US broadcast and cable networks to over 150 countries world-wide, from studios in Los Angeles and New York. The benefit opened with Bruce Springsteen with an acoustic rendition of My City of Ruins.
Springsteen opened the two-hour show playing acoustic guitar and harmonica and singing My City of Ruins, a song he premiered in a pair of live concerts late last year in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Dozens of celebrities including Sly Stallone, Tom Cruise, Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Clint Eastwood, Julia Roberts, Halle Berry and others manning phone banks to accept donations to the 9/11 relief fund. The benefit last two hours and ended with Willie Nelson joined by the celebrities in attendance for several choruses of America the Beautiful.
– Craig Zablo (September 22, 2001)