In an exclusive pre-show “Idol” Backlot Talk, co-executive producer Ken Warwick talks of anthems, children and corporate America: three links in a chain of events leading to the show’s first fund-raising effort, “Idol Gives Back.”

The six remaining contestants will collaborate on a special song titled “American Prayer,” co-written years ago by U2’s Bono and Eurythmics founder Dave Stewart to call attention to the AIDS epidemic in Africa. The Irish-born lead singer worked with the “Idol” singers last weekend in preparation for the two-night campaign, and also will appear in a pre-recorded segment on Wednesday urging viewers to participate in helping the world’s children.

“It’s about kids. End of story,” Mr. Warwick said of the fund-raiser. “It’s about making life better for some of these children in the world where life is so bad for them. We live in the Western world and we just don’t know what goes on, and some of it is absolutely horrendous.”

Tuesday night will kick off the events with “Idol” contestants singing various anthems meant to “impress a feeling or emotion in their lives,” the producer said. Clips from the films to be aired on Wednesday also will be shown, to give viewers “some flavor of what we’re actually collecting money for,” Mr. Warwick said.

The toll-free phone lines will be open for four hours, and corporate sponsors will donate money for every call generated over the two-night campaign. Each contestant also will have two voting numbers, to help reduce the amount of busy signals.

For the full interview with Mr. Warwick, go to TVWeek.com’s Backlot Talk to listen to the podcast.