Last night’s flood relief concert on GAC raised $1.7 million and counting. Some of Nashville’s biggest names turned out to perform, answer telethon phones and make significant donations. Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley opened the night with a $100,000 gift. Kimberly co-hosted the event at the Ryman along with actor and Nashville native James Denton. Proceeds from “Music City Keep On Playin’ – A Benefit for Flood Relief” will go to the The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Among the performers were Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Rodney Atkins, Kellie Pickler, Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley with guest Sam Bush, and Christian star Jaci Velasquez.
When they weren’t on stage, many of the stars took donations at the phone bank, where they were joined by the likes of Lorrie Morgan, Nicole Kidman, Billy Dean, Joey+Rory, Lee Roy Parnell, Dailey & Vincent, Julie Roberts, Marty Raybon, Whitney Duncan, Holly Williams, Bomshel, Katie Armiger, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and countless others.
Martina McBride performs. Photo by Ed Rode for GACtv.com
The ACM made a sizable contribution. Lady Antebellum and Brad Paisley presented a $250,000 check on behalf of ACM Lifting Lives. Brooks & Dunn taped a special message for the telethon, thanking all the artists who participated in the taping of the recent ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo. Ticket proceeds from that live event in Las Vegas went to ACM Lifting Lives, which in turn quickly earmarked funding for those affected by the recent floods in Middle Tennessee.
More photos here.
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Sarah Skates has worked in the music business for more than a decade and is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.View Author Profile
