CINCINNATI – Cee Lo Green isn't forgetting volunteer firefighters.
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter will record "Thank You," another rewrite of his hit song that's known in its PG-rated version as "Forget You." Procter & Gamble Co.'s Duracell brand is counting on Green's help to publicize battery donation campaign for volunteer fire departments.
The departments use the batteries for flashlights and other equipment. P&G will donate one battery for every specially marked pack of AA and AAA batteries customers buy.
Duracell Marketing Director Bob Jacobs says departments have been hurt by economy-spurred budget cuts. P&G, the consumer products company that also makes Pampers diapers and Tide detergent, hopes to give 20 million batteries, worth $8 million retail.
Green has a personal interest — his Atlanta area family credits volunteer firefighters with pulling his mother from a serious car wreck, and she had served as a firefighter herself.
"I always wanted to be a fireman, like a lot of kids," he said, but added that he didn't want to narrow the focus to just his personal tie. He called the Duracell project an effort to benefit "a noble cause."
"There are quite a few heroes out there," he said.
While his songs, including the original version of "Forget You," have featured expletives and sexual references, Jacobs said image-sensitive P&G isn't worried about any negative feedback over Green's role.
"He's a hugely popular entertainer right now, and it really helps us extend the awareness of the campaign," Jacobs said. "There's nothing about what he's doing for us that I think is controversial."
Free downloads of the song will be available in the next week or so on Duracell's Facebook page, followed by a music video with Green.
Green has been involved in a number of other charitable efforts, including plans to donate proceeds from his song "It's OK" to Japan earthquake relief.
"I believe I can contribute a great deal more than mere entertainment," he said by telephone from Los Angeles.
After flying from Europe on Wednesday to record "Thank You" this week, he will fly back to Europe to resume a tour there.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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