GAC Live Nashville Flood Benefit Tonight

A Benefit Concert to Help the
Flood Victims of Middle Tennessee
LIVE on GAC & GACTV.com Sunday, May 16 at 8pm ET

GAC has teamed up with the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Gaylord Entertainment and an incredible lineup of artists to present: Music City Keep on Playin' – A Benefit for Flood Relief.

The concert will take place at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium. All money raised will go to those in need in Middle Tennessee. The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee will be the organization processing and distributing donations.

Artists performing include Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Kellie Pickler, and more.


If you don't have GAC you can see the benefit live and streaming on your computer. Click HERE to watch starting at 7pm CT/ 8pm ET.

Nashville Helping Nashville

It was a wonderful night of music and community that raised over $1,700,000.

Fortunately Flood Relief with Vince Gill and Friends was not only carried by the local Nashville affiliate WSMV but by other Tennessee stations, CNN, Fox News, and The Weather Channel.

Before the telethon even began, $10,000 was already in the bank for the Middle Tennessee Harvest Food Bank, Red Cross, and the Salvation Army. Vince Gill kicked things off by announcing he and wife Amy Grant are donating $100,000 to the cause.

The night was filled with old and new friends of Gill's who came by to share a story and a song. Naomi Judd added some levity to the night with some amusing stories about some neighbors who were affected and who added that Keith Urban is also her neighbor in Leipers Fork.






















Taylor Swift called in and publicly donated $500,000 to flood relief.

Julie Roberts who showed up with a broken foot told about how her and her family were rescued and lucky enough to be there tonight sing with Vince.

Lorrie Morgan, Nashville native, shared her personal story where her sister has lost her house. She performed a Jeannie Sealy tune, "Don't Touch Me", by the Grand Ole Opry fixture who was also personally affected by the flood.

Keb' Mo', a longtime friend of Vince's who just moved to Nashville the week prior to the flood, came by to take donations and help the cause.

Mark Volman, a member of the 60's group The Turtles and Belmont University professor came by to help friends and answer phones.

Stephen Curtis Chapman, a resident of Nashville who has gotten through tough times before with the help of Nashville, came by and sang a tune with Vince, and manned the phones.

Amy Grant made the important point that those that ask others to give should be the first ones in line giving, and that is why she and husband Vince donated such a large amount in such a public fashion.

In between songs, Gill told stories and riffed in his usual style, but talked with Lorrie and Keith about the loss of musical instruments at Soundcheck. Everyone from Keb' Mo' who just moved in to longtime session players to superstars like Keith have lost precious instruments and performance gear. They still haven't been able to find out exactly what was lost. The damage whether it be houses or musical treasures is still unknown, but the spirit of the musical community is alive and well.

Amy Grant performed with husband Vince, singing her new single "Better Than A Hallelujah".

Vince Gill joined his western swing Station Inn buddies in a rousing rendition of Bob Will's "San Antonio Rose".

The show closed with Vince Gill's signature tune "Go Rest High On That Mountain".

We at STS would like to share Keith Urban's performances. Keith told Vince wife Nicole sends her prayers and that what he has potentially lost is nothing in comparison to what so many others have endured.

Keith sang "Everybody", did an interview, and after taking phone calls performed "I'm In", a request from a fan in TN who donated. Vince accompanied along with an accordion player.




















Even though the telethon is over you can still help. At the top of the sidebar is all the information you'll need to donate to the Nashville Red Cross.


"I can't save anybody but I can play the guitar for a little bit." ~Vince Gill

Tragedy In Nashville

For those outside of Music City and the southeast United States, and that would be most of us, coverage of the massive flooding has been appallingly sparse. Our prayers, good thoughts, and good wishes go out to all people affected. As this blog concerns three residents of Nashville, the Urbans, it's appropriate we say we hope all is well and that your homes, property, belongings, and friends are all safe and sound. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's residence outside the city sits on a hill, so with that knowledge we hope that the worst is that the driveway is washed out.

Unfortunately with months worth of rain coming down in two days time and the Cumberland River overflowing, many landmarks have been affected. The Grand Ole Opry House, the Opryland Hotel, downtown Nashville and the world famous clubs are shut down and flooded out. So far 8 people have died in the Nashville area alone.

A few country music stars who regularly Twitter have shared their experiences and we hope anything they put out there will shed more light on this tragedy. It's not over and the media needs to pay attention.

Brad Paisley

# On the positive side everyone is safe. On the negative... I think all my road guitar gear, amps, effects, are under 3 ft of river.


Dierks Bentley

hate to cancel shows...might be a first. but nashville is a disaster. all of our houses are messed up.


Martina McBride


Home safe. Watching all the footage of the flood on tv. Surreal


Keith Urban's Twitter account has retweeted an important message

gactv Nashville & surrounding areas have been devastated by flooding. Donate to Red Cross Nashville - http://www.nashvilleredcross.org/

Please if you can, donate to Red Cross Nashville