Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood

Earlier today, tickets for the Garth Brooks concert in Nashville on Dec. 17th went on sale and promptly sold-out.  Then, as we anticipated, Garth started adding shows.  First one, then two and by the time it was all said and done, nine shows in all were sold out.   Sound familiar?  You might remember back in 2007 when Garth put plans together to help open the new Sprint Center in Kansas City and that one sold-out show quickly turned into a total of nine, just as fast.

At his press conference back on October 28th, Garth hinted at the potential for the one show to turn into more.  Garth vowed to do every show he could manage to work in as long as tickets were in demand.  With every potential ticket sold representing money that can help families that are still putting their lives back together in the aftermath of Tennessee’s floods.  Garth came through on that promise in a big way today with an estimated 140,000 tickets sold.  At $25 a ticket, my quick math has the total potential benefit for Middle-Tennessee flood victims coming in somewhere around $3.5 million.   All proceeds from the events will benefit the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

The concerts will feature wife Trisha Yearwood and likely some surprise guests along the way.  Here’s the breakdown of how Garth’s nine-concert stand in Nashville will go down:

• Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7 and 10 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 6 and 9 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 6 and 9 p.m.

Read our earlier story about Garth Brooks’ Nashville flood relief concerts.

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Rodney Atkins photo courtesy of Curb Nashville.

Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music will help kick off the 2010 CMA Music Festival on June 9 with “The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” at 11:30 a.m. Central through the streets of downtown Nashville.

Brenda Lee will serve as Grand Marshal and other artists participating in the parade include Lynn Anderson, Katie Armiger, Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry, Bo Bice, Ash Bowers, Carter Twins, Jeff Cook, Diana DeGarmo, Fast Ryde, Colt Ford, Brantley Gilbert, Gloriana, Josh Gracin, The Grascals, The Harters, Buddy Jewell, KingBilly, Jesse Lee, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, Jerrod Niemann, James Otto, Danielle Peck, Point of Grace, Marty Raybon, Pam Tillis, Trent Tomlinson, and Chuck Wicks. Members of the National Guard will drive artists along the parade route in Chevy vehicles, including the all new 2011 Silverado HD and the Military Specialty Camaro. Continue Reading

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Scripps Networks Interactive check presentation (l to r:) Ellen Lehman, president CFMT, Ed Hardy, president GAC, GAC’s Storme Warren, Suzanne Alexander, Food Network’s Pat Neely, Gina Neely, HGTV’s Vern Yip, Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown, Adam Richman. Credit: Ed Rode/edrode.biz

From large corporations to small kids, their goal was the same: help middle Tennesseans rebuild after devastating floods. Donations from Sunday night’s live concert event and telethon, Music City Keep on Playin’ – A Benefit for Flood Relief on Great American Country Television, have reached $1.8 million and that amount will grow as donations made at www.gactv.com/help and through a texting component will continue through this Sunday, May 23.

With an all-volunteer production staff, crew and talent line-up, 100% of the money raised is going to help those most affected by what has been estimated to be $1.5 billion in damages.  Organizers GAC, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau and Gaylord Entertainment incurred all necessary expenses tied to the event.

The televised concert included performances by Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Rodney Atkins, Martina McBride, Kellie Pickler, CeCe Winans, Keb’ Mo’, Jaci Velasquez, Randy Montana and Will Hoge.  NASCAR stars Tony Stewart and Clint Bowyer also appeared. Hosts James Denton and Kimberly Williams-Paisley were joined by on-air personalities from GAC, Food Network, The Travel Channel and HGTV. Stars also spent time manning phone banks alongside a fleet of volunteers. Click here to see photos from the night.

Music City Keep on Playin’ – A Benefit for Flood Relief will re-air tomorrow, Thursday, May 20, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m./Eastern on GAC. Phones will be open during the re-air and donations can also still be made at www.gactv.com/help or by texting “GAC” to 501501 to make a $10 donation to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Continue Reading

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Sheryl Crow will perform at the Music City Keep On Playin' benefit concert presented by GAC on Sunday, May 16 at 8p ET.

Sheryl Crow has just been added to the incredible list of performers for GAC’s Music City Keep on Playin’ - A Benefit for Flood Relief, a live concert and telethon to aid middle Tennesseans affected by the recent flood disaster.  The concert and telethon will be aired live and commercial-free from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium this Sunday, May 16, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. Eastern (live in all time zones) on GAC and will re-air at 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.  The concert will also be available online via a live stream at GACTV.com/help.  Plus, the event will be carried live on Sirius/XM satellite radio.

Artists previously announced to perform include Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler, Rodney Atkins, CeCe Winans, Jaci Velasquez, Keb’ Mo’, Randy Montana and Will Hoge. Continue Reading

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GAC presents Music City Keep On Playin' - A Benefit for Flood Relief

Keith Urban, Martina McBride and Keb’ Mo’ have been added to the list of performers for Music City Keep on Playin’ - A Benefit for Flood Relief, the first national live concert and telethon to aid middle Tennesseans affected by the recent flood disaster.  The concert and telethon will be aired live and commercial-free from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium this Sunday, May 16, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. Eastern (live in all time zones) on Great American Country Television (GAC) and will re-air at 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.  You’ll also be able to watch the concert streaming live online at GACTV.com.  The event will also be carried live on Sirius/XM satellite radio.

Due to overwhelming support from the Nashville music community, a third hour has been added to the live telecast.

Artists previously announced to perform include Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler, Rodney Atkins, CeCe Winans, Jaci Velasquez, Randy Montana and Will Hoge. Continue Reading

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In response to the devastating floods that have plagued the City of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, the Country Music Association has announced that 50 percent of the net proceeds of 2010 CMA Music Festival will be donated to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for flood relief. This is in addition to CMA’s already established annual donation of 50 percent of the net proceeds to Metro Nashville Public Schools for music education through the Keep the Music Playing program. In total, 100 percent of the net proceeds of the event will be given to benefit Nashville’s public school students and Middle Tennessee families in need.

Continue Reading

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The front of the Grand Ole Opry House is under several feet of water as a result of the flooding Cumberland River caused by storms in Nashville, TN on May 1-2, 2010.

The first national telethon and concert event to raise money to aid victims of last weekend’s flooding disaster in middle Tennessee has been announced by Great American Country Television, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau and Gaylord Entertainment.  Music City Keep on Playin’ – A Benefit for Flood Relief will air commercial-free on GAC, Sunday, May 16, 8– 10 p.m. Eastern. 

Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Rodney Atkins and additional artists will perform live at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium while celebrities will host and join other volunteers to man phone banks to collect call-in donations.  Continue Reading

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The front of the Grand Ole Opry House is under several feet of water as a result of the flooding Cumberland River caused by storms in Nashville, TN on May 1-2, 2010.

Thanks to all the wonderful fans who have inquired about ways to help victims of the Nashville flood. We’ve compiled a list of several organizations that can use everything from donations to household items to man power. We appreciate everyone coming together to help those in need!

• Text ’REDCROSS’ to 90999 to donate $10 to disaster relief — or visit redcross.org to donate.

• Check out the Nashvillest blog, with a section called “So Nashville Is Flooded…How Can I Help?” Continue Reading

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