Stars Align in Dallas For ACM Lifting Lives Benefit Gala

Pictured (L-R): Keith Urban, Nancy O’Dell, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood. Photo: Getty Images

Garth Brooks, Hunter Hayes, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, The Band Perry, Keith Urban and Trisha Yearwood were all on hand in Dallas to kick off the weekend’s Academy of Country Music Awards festivities by bringing music to help raise funds for a good cause.

The ACM Lifting Lives Benefit Gala, the first fundraising gala for the Academy of Country Music’s philanthropic arm ACM Lifting Lives, was held at the Omni Dallas Hotel. The event was co-hosted by Nancy O’Dell and Montell Williams.

The Band Perry helped spotlight the ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp during their performance of “Bright Eyes,” a song the trio penned with the camp’s attendees. Several of the campers from the ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp joined them onstage for the performance. The camp is a partnership between Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and ACM Lifting Lives, with the dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome, while providing campers with music enrichment. The Band Perry also offered renditions of “Better Dig Two” and “If I Die Young.”

Lady Antebellum performs. Photo: Getty Images

Lady Antebellum offered performances of their hits including “Need You Now,” “Downtown,” and “Run To You,” while Hunter Hayes offered hits such as “Storm Warning” and “Tattoo.” The ladies and gents of Little Big Town brought their tight-knit harmonies to songs such as “Day Drinking,” “Girl Crush,” and “Pontoon.”

Keith Urban brought his rock-influenced brand of country with a high-energy set that included “Put You In A Song,” “You Gonna Fly,” “Raise ‘Em Up,” and more. Urban then ushered Brooks to the stage for a rendition of his classic “Friends In Low Places,” before welcoming Yearwood, who performed “She’s In Love With The Boy,” accompanied by Urban on guitar.

Hunter Hayes performs. Photo: Getty Images

The evening closed with Brooks performing a rendition of  ”The Dance,” featuring Urban and Hayes.

The evening went on to raise approximately $1.5 million to benefit ACM Lifting Lives, as well as Garth Brooks’ charity Teammates For Kids. Since its inception 50 years ago, Lifting Lives has given more than $8 million in grants to more than 150 charitable causes, including Musicians On Call, Sophia’s Heart Foundation, W.O. Smith Nashville Community Music School, Wounded Warriors, and more.

The ACM Lifting Lives Benefit Gala was presented by Mattress Firm.

Pictured (L-R): Little Big Town and The Band Perry. Photo: Getty Images