Country Stars Raise Over $1.7 Million For Flood Relief

GAC

Country stars helped raise over $1.7 million and counting during the “Music City Keep On Playin’ – A Benefit For Flood Relief,” which aired commercial-free from NASHVILLE’s RYMAN AUDITORIUM on GAC SUNDAY (5/16) from 8-11p (ET). The national telethon raised money for Middle TENNESSEE flood victims, with THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE processing and distributing donations.

BRAD PAISLEY, SHERYL CROW, LADY ANTEBELLUM, DIERKS BENTLEY, KELLIE PICKLER, CECE WINANS, JACI VELASQUEZ, RANDY MONTANA, RODNEY ATKINS, WILL HOGE, KEITH URBAN, MARTINA McBRIDE and KEB ‘MO were among the performers and helped man phone banks, along with volunteers. “Desperate Housewives” actor JAMES DENTON and actress KIMBERLY WILLIAMS PAISLEY hosted the telethon. GAC personalities SUZANNE ALEXANDER, NAN KELLEY, STORME WARREN and BILL CODY, FOOD NETWORK’s PAT AND GINA NEELY and the TRAVEL CHANNEL’s ADAM RICHMAN and SAMANTHA BROWN also made appearances on the telethon.

PAISLEY said: "If there is a silver lining, it's that the world is getting to see NASHVILLE at its best through this tragedy.”

PAISLEY kicked off the telethon with a performance of his song “Welcome to the Future” and then asked his wife, co-host KIMBERLY WILLIAMS PAISLEY, if they could kick things off by donating $100,000. PAISLEY later performed "River and Rain" and a full band version of "American Saturday Night" featuring DIERKS BENTLEY on acoustic guitar.

BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP CEO SCOTT BORCHETTA also donated $100,000. 

LADY ANTEBELLUM and BRAD PAISLEY presented a $250,000 check on behalf of ACM LIFTING LIVES during the telethon. BROOKS & DUNN taped a message, which aired during the event, thanking all the artists who participated in the taping of “ACM Presents: BROOKS & DUNN – The Last Rodeo” in APRIL (NET NEWS 4/16). Ticket proceeds from that live event in LAS VEGAS went to ACM LIFTING LIVES. This is the first disbursement from that event’s fundraising efforts.

LADY ANTEBELLUM sang an acoustic version of their hit "Need You Now" and performed "I Run To You."

LADY ANTEBELLUM’s HILLARY SCOTT said: "Being a NASHVILLE native, born and raised here, it's been so beautiful to see how the city has rallied together. I know we will get back to the city that we once were. I know we will."

KEITH URBAN performed an acoustic version of THE BEATLES' song "Help," while his wife, NICOLE KIDMAN watched from the side of the stage. He also performed his song “Better Life.”

WILL HOGE closed the show with a performance of the song "Washed By The Water." The crowd sang the chorus, "Down here we're washed by the water, the water can't wash us away."

For more on GAC and to donate to, visit www.gactv.com.

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