KING: Joining us now from New York, as we look at the shot of this Capitol on this Thursday night, Sheryl Crow, great artist, musician, singer. She'll be taking part in Friday night's two-hour television show, "America: A Tribute to Heroes." How did they put that together.

SHERYL CROW, MUSICIAN/ARTIST: Oh, I cannot imagine how quickly they brought this thing together, with such artists as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, George Clooney, Tom Cruise -- just an amazing roster of artists are contributing their time.

KING: And all the broadcast networks are carrying it simultaneously, right?

CROW: They are. It's commercial-free, it's all time that has been donated, and now there are up to 31 major networks that are going to be carrying it, and 176 countries, I believe. It's really an amazing thing that's going to be happening, and it's completely live.

KING: And where will you be, Sheryl?

CROW: I'll be here in New York City. That's where I spend most of my time.

KING: I mean, but where are they are doing it -- at a theater, a TV station...

CROW: Oh, they're doing it actually at a sound stage here in New York City. And they're going to flip from L.A. to New York, they're going to keep flipping so they are able to save time by changing the sets while events are happening.

KING: And it is a telethon, right? They're raising money. CROW: It is a telethon, and they've set up a key donation site on www.tributetoheroes.org, which will launch tomorrow, and that's going to be the key donation point. And also, while the telethon is on, there will be flashing numbers and ways that you can contribute.

KING: Who put this together?

CROW: I think originally, the idea came about -- I think Jeff Zucker was the original...

KING: At NBC.

CROW: Yes, at NBC, the brainiac behind this. And he actually went to Interscope and there will be an album that's going to com out, and the proceeds are going to go to a long-term relief fund to help the victims that were -- the families, or those that were affected by the -- last week.

KING: So, it's a high-profile event, but they're not doing it in front of big audiences, right?

CROW: No, I think -- you know, obviously, security reasons. It's just easier not to have a huge audience. Also, I think there is a control factor when you're going live and you're in a studio, flipping between coast-to-coast with all these major networks, no commercial breaks -- it's just going to be easier in a more controlled environment.

KING: Sheryl, we're going to hear a number of yours leading out of this segment, but you live next to a fire station in New York City, right? And I understand some of those firemen are missing?

CROW: Yes, I do. Not to give my address away, but I live downtown, and probably, the guys in the fire station next to me, who I see frequently, were some of the first down there. I think they lost -- right now, there are 11 missing and a couple of really good buddies of mine, so...

KING: Where were you when this happened?

CROW: I was in Nashville, Tennessee, and I think I suffer what everybody else suffers, this feeling -- this need to be contributing to something. You know, the blood drive and the contribution thing doesn't feel like it's enough, particularly when you're in the Midwest. You want to be here in New York City, helping and getting your hands dirty.

And it's been a really frustrating thing, and I watched the whole thing on CNN, basically, for a few days there, not able to travel back to my home here. And it's really been a life changer.

KING: What did you think of president's speech?

CROW: I thought it was exactly what it needed to be. We have seen incredible leadership from Giuliani and lot of other leaders, and amazing heroism, but to hear that kind of confidence from the president was, for me, very comforting, and really needed.

KING: Tell me about this song, "I Shall Believe," which we're going to hear now over a montage of sight.

CROW: I think that "I Shall Believe" really is written from -- well, I wrote from the standpoint of somebody who has been very down, and is sort of reaffirming their faith.

KING: We look forward to seeing you tomorrow night on the telethon.

CROW: Thank you.

KING: Hope you raise a ton of money...

CROW: Yes, I do, too.

KING: It's often been said it's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Words to remember, as you watch these images and listen to the moving music of Sheryl Crow and "I Shall Believe." We'll be right back.

CROW (singing): Come to me now, And lay your hands over me, Even if it's a lie, Say it will be all right, I shall believe. Broken in two, I know you're on to me, That I only come home when I'm so all alone, but I do need me, Then not everything is going to be the way you think it ought to be, It seems like every time I try to make it right it all comes down on me, Please say honestly, You won't ever give up on me, I shall believe. I shall believe.