Sunday night, GAC will air "Music City Keep on Playin' - A Benefit for Flood Relief" telethon. Initially planned as a two-hour show, it has grown to three hours because so many artists want to be part of it. Keith Urban, Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler, Rodney Atkins, and Brad Paisley are all signed on, and the list of performers continues to grow. The show will air live from the Ryman Auditorium Sunday night, starting at 8 eastern.
Montgomery Gentry's "Country Throwdown" tour is kicking in 50 cents per ticket plus all the proceeds from merchandise sales for tour partners Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, Jack Ingram, Eric Church, Eli Young Band and the artists on the Bluebird Stage towards flood relief efforts. The tour kicks off today and runs through June 20th, at which point a lump-sum check will go to Hands On Nashville. By the way, production rehearsal for the show was yesterday, and when it was over, Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry fixed a mess of crawfish for everyone.
A number one party in Nashville was just what the town needed, after dealing with flood-related issues for the past 12 days. Craig Wiseman and Luke Laird wrote "Hillbilly Bone," Blake Shelton sang it, and if you know anything about those three, you know they're all a bunch of kidders. The plaque presentation turned into a stand-up comedy routine when Craig quipped that he and Luke were just messing around when "Hillbilly Bone" was written. Blake replied, "It's tough enough to do interviews on shows like Chelsea Lately and talk about a song called 'Hillbilly Bone.' I've been defending that for awhile. But then to hear Craig Wiseman do an interview about how he and Luke were messing around and came up with the song called 'Hillbilly Bone'... Anyway, I'm the guy that sang it, but that's between y'all." In addition to the other keepsakes that were handed out, $10,000 in dog treats - "Hillbilly Dog Bones" - were given to the Nashville Humane Society.
Miranda Lambert was at the party, sporting her engagement ring and her Chihuahua pup, Cher. A self-confessed addict to wedding reality shows like "Say Yes to the Dress" and "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway," Miranda quipped, "I don't think I can talk myself out at least one trip to Klenfeld's Bridal!" Blake says that as tough as Miranda's image is, she's "200% girl" when it comes to planning their wedding.Jewel has come up with an innovative album launch idea: a virtual "Sweet And Wild" concert and party, simulcast at theatres, private clubs and Morton's Steakhouse and Maggiano's Little Italy locations. Steel Magnolia will be Jewel's opening act.
Well, this was a secret for a while, wasn't it? Vince Gill's daughter Jenny married her childhood sweetheart, Josh Van Valkenburg last Saturday at Vince and Amy's Belle Meade home. The couple is honeymooning in Jamaica.
Today is the on-sale date for "Nashville Rising," the Tim McGraw/Faith Hill-led benefit concert to be held in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena on June 22nd. Tickets go on sale at 10am eastern online and at all Ticketmaster outlets.
Remember, tomorrow is the CMA Music Fest volunteer fair. If you'd like to be part of the festival, head to the CMA offices at 1 Music Circle S., Nashville, TN 37203 to apply between nine and noon central time Saturday. Fill out your application ahead of time, drive safe and good luck!
David Nail is the star of a 6-part CMT.com series titled "Making the Team." The online show follows David's spring training tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Sunday night, catch Trace Adkins singing on the Miss USA Pageant, Wynonna on "Army Wives" and most of Nashville on "Music City Keep on Playin' - A Benefit for Flood Relief" on GAC.
