• NEWS AND NOTES: Luke, Carrie, Eric, AJ, Strait

    Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood have earned American Music Awards nominations. Luke is up for Favorite Male Artist Country, while Carrie is nominated for Favorite Female Artist Country. The 2018 American Music Awards will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on October 9th at 8pm ET on ABC.

    Eric Church was just announced as one of the performers at the 12th annual Stand4Heroes event at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on November 5th. Bruce Springsteen, Seth Meyers, Jim Gaffigan, Jon Stewart and many special guests will also participate. Tickets go on sale Thursday (September 13th) at Noon ET.

    UMG Nashville has teamed up with the Gaither Music Group to create a new Gaither Gospel Series titled Country Gospel Collection. The first volume will include classic country gospel songs from some of the biggest names, including Alan Jackson and George Strait, as well as songs by Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell and Conway Twitty, among others. Country Gospel Collection Volume 1 will be released October 5th.

    Country Gospel Collection Volume 1 Track List:

    1. Just A Closer Walk With Thee- Patsy Cline
    2. How Great Thou Art- Alan Jackson
    3. What A Friend We Have In Jesus- Glen Campbell
    4. Shall We Gather At The River- Tennessee Ernie Ford
    5. Take My Hand Precious Lord- Roy Acuff
    6. I Saw The Light- Hank Williams
    7. Will The Circle Be Unbroken- George Jones
    8. In The Garden- Loretta Lynn
    9. You’ll Never Walk Alone- Conway Twitty
    10. Peace In The Valley- Johnny Cash
    11. I Saw God Today- George Strait
    12. Amazing Grace- The Statler Brothers
  • MOTHER’S DAY LINERS 2018

    Audio / LINER Brandon Lay (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Brothers Osborne

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    Audio / LINER Carrie Underwood (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Clare Dunn (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Darius Rucker (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Darius Rucker (Mother's Day) 2

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    Audio / LINER Dierks (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Eric Church (Mother's Day) 1

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    Audio / LINER Eric Paslay (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER George Strait (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Jon Pardi (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Jordan Davis (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Josh Turner (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Kacey Musgraves (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER LBT (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Luke Bryan (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Maddie & Tae (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Shania Twain (Mother's Day)

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    Audio / LINER Travis Denning

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  • NEWS AND NOTES: Kacey, George

    Kacey Musgraves is set to perform on The Late Late Show With James Corden (CBS) on Thursday (May 17th).

    George Strait is scheduled to close out the 2019 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 17th, 2019. His appearance at the Rodeo will mark his 30th career performance. The remaining line-up will be unveiled in January.

     

  • GEORGE STRAIT ACCEPTS TEXAN OF THE YEAR RECOGNITION AT TEXAS LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE.

    I.D. (L to R): Doug Miller, Former Texas State Representative and 52nd Annual Texas Legislative Conference Chair; Texan of the Year George Strait; Mary Jane Nalley, an owner of Gruene Hall; and Robin Jeffers, New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Board Chair.

    Photo Credit: Rick Diamond for Getty Images

     

    NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – Iconic entertainer George Strait has been named “Texan of the Year” by the Texas Legislative Conference. At the 52nd annual statewide forum taking place at the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce on Friday, March 23, Strait joined an array of prominent honorees including former U.S. Presidents, Senators, Congressmen, Governors and innovators.

    Strait was recognized for his many contributions to the state of Texas throughout the years, particularly within the last year for his role leading recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. The Category 4 hurricane ties Hurricane Katrina as the costliest storm to impact the U.S., inflicting damage of over $125 billion and displacing more than 30,000 residents.

    Strait immediately set out organizing relief efforts beginning with the “Hand in Hand” Texas benefit concert and telethon. Calling on friends Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen, the concert, broadcast live from The Majestic Theater in San Antonio last fall, helped directly raise over $22 million towards hurricane recovery.

    “I’m so proud to have grown up in the great state of Texas and so proud to be here today to accept this unbelievable honor,” shared Strait who accepted the award in person. “Texas is a big place filled with amazingly talented, smart people. How’d I end up here?” a humbled Strait asked the crowd. “Last year was a tough one for our great state. We’re still continuing to recover and with the help of the many loyal, kindhearted Texans, we will get these communities back on their feet again. It’s never surprising, but always amazing how in times of need, how generous the American people can be.” Strait continued, “I’ve had a great career and always been supported by the people here in Texas. This great honor is the tip top of my list.”

    Robin Jeffers, New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Board Chair then surprised Strait with a proclamation crowing the King of Country with a new title, “A Prince of the City of a Prince” for his dedication to the betterment of their community.

    Mary Jane Nalley, a longtime friend of Strait’s and an owner of Gruene Hall noted, “George Strait’s elite work is still ongoing and he sets a fine example of what Texas and Texans are all about.”

    In addition to spearheading the benefit concert relief efforts last September, Strait also joined Gov. Greg Abbott in Rockport-Fulton to bring attention to the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Harvey in the Coastal Bend Area.

    This May, the reigning Texan of the Year is set to perform to over 50,000 fans at the New Orleans Superdome.

    For more information, visit www.GeorgeStrait.com.

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Luke, Jon, Lady A, Carrie, Josh, Vince, Strait, Eric

    Luke Bryan is making the media rounds this week. He’ll appear on ABC’s Good Morning America, Live With Kelly and Ryan and Late Night With Seth Meyers on Tuesday (March 6th), followed by an appearance on ABC’s The View on Thursday (March 8th)

    Jon Pardi will perform on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday (March 6th).

    Songs from Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner, Vince Gill, George Strait, Eric Paslay and many others will be included in the new collection, NOW That’s What I Call Country – Songs of Inspiration. The compilation features inspirational songs from some of country music’s biggest stars and will be released March 16th.

     

    NOW That’s What I Call Country – Songs of Inspiration Track List:

    1. Lady Antebellum – “Hello World”
    2. Tim McGraw – “Touchdown Jesus”
    3. Carrie Underwood – “Jesus, Take The Wheel”
    4. Rascal Flatts – “Bless the Broken Road”
    5. Josh Turner – “Long Black Train”
    6. Alison Krauss – “Down To The River To Pray”
    7. Vince Gill – “Go Rest High On That Mountain”
    8. George Strait – “I Believe”
    9. Alabama – “Angels Among Us”
    10. Brad Paisley featuring Dolly Parton- “When I Get Where I ‘m Going”
    11. Eric Paslay – “Deep As It Is Wide”
    12. Phil Vassar – “This Is God”
    13. Chris Young – “The Man I Want To Be”
    14. Craig Morgan – “God Must Really Love Me”
    15. Brooks and Dunn – “Believe”
    16. Martina McBride – “God’s Will”
  • THE KING OF COUNTRY GEORGE STRAIT ANNOUNCES FINAL TWO SHOWS OF 2018.

    The King of Country George Strait will play two final shows in 2018 on December 7-8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with special guests Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen. Tickets go on sale in one month on Friday, April 6 at 10 a.m. PT at www.StraitToVegas.com.

     

    The trio of Texans shared the stage earlier this month for the first shows of 2018 after initially coming together last year for Hand in Hand Texas: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief, which was a humanitarian campaign assembled by Strait—a night that ultimately raised tens of millions of dollars for hurricane relief efforts. Strait will be recognized by his home state with the prestigious Texan of the Year honor on March 22 in New Braunfels, Texas.

    With an unmatched 60 singles hitting the top of the charts – more than any other artist in any genre – during the span of his 30-year career, Strait is the undeniable “King of Country Music.” He has collected 33 Platinum or multi-Platinum-selling albums, more than any country artist and third across all genres behind only the Beatles and Elvis Presley. Strait has sold nearly 70 million albums and earned more than 60 major entertainment industry awards including induction in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

    Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. The Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that makes him one of the most compelling and captivating musicians in popular music. Keen, who grew up in southwest Houston, has recorded 18 full-length albums for both independent and major record labels, while his songs have been recorded by a variety of artists including Strait, Lovett, Joe Ely, The Highwaymen, Nanci Griffith, and Dixie Chicks.

    The Strait To Vegas series started with just six shows in 2016 but was extended with 10 more in 2017. The shows in December will be the last of 2018. Strait previously announced performances in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas in 2018 shows including May 27 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans; June 1 and 2 at BOK Center in Tulsa; and June 3 at Frank Erwin Center in Austin.

    Ticketing information is available at www.StraitToVegas.com.

  • VALENTINE’S DAY LINERS 2018

    Audio / LINER Billy Currington (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Billy Currington. Hope you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Brothers Osborne (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey, this is T.J., and I’m John, and we’re Brothers Osborne. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Canaan Smith (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey, what’s up guys? I’m Canaan Smith, wishing you a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Carrie Underwood (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hi! I’m Carrie Underwood, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day. Send me some chocolate.”

    Audio / LINER Clare Dunn (Valentines Day)

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    “Hey! This is Clare Dunn, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Darius Rucker (Valentine’s Day)

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    “What’s up y’all? This is Darius Rucker, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Dierks Bentley (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey, it’s Dierks Bentley, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Eric Church (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Eric Church, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Eric Paslay (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hi! This is Eric Paslay, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Gary Allan (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey, this is Gary Allan, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER George Strait (Valentine’s Day)

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    “This is George Strait, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Jon Pardi (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hi! It’s Jon Pardi, and I hope you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Josh Turner (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Josh Turner, and I want to wish you and your sweetheart a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Kacey Musgraves (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hi, this is Kacey Musgraves, and I hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. This is Keith Urban. Make the day special for your ‘Once in a Lifetime’ love.”

    Audio / LINER Kip Moore (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey! What’s happening, everybody? This is Kip Moore. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Lady A (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody! We are Lady Antebellum, wishing you a very Happy Valentine’s Day, you love birds.”

    Audio / LINER LBT (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey! We’re Little Big Town. Happy Valentine’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER Luke Bryan (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, it’s Luke Bryan. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hi! This is Sam Hunt, wishing you a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Shania Twain (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hi, this is Shania Twain. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Luke, Strait, Darius

    Luke Bryan will perform from the Opry City Stage on ABC’s Good Morning America on Friday (December 8th), the same day his new album What Makes You Country is available. Opry City Stage, which boasts a restaurant, bar and live performance stage, is also set to open Luke’s What Makes You Country Pop-Up Shop, featuring his new album, T-shirts and more…all in Times Square.

    George Strait has been named the 2018 Texan of the Year by the Texas Legislative Conference. Strait will be presented the award at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center March 22nd on behalf of his efforts to help Texans year-round, but most especially for his relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey. To date, he’s helped raise more than $50 million..

    Watch Darius Rucker’s concert special on the AT&T Audience Network on Friday (December 8th) at 9pm ET. He recently filmed the one-hour special at New York’s famed Apollo Theater.

  • CHRISTMAS 2017 LINERS

    Holiday liners from UMG Nashville artists, including Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Brandon Lay, Brothers Osborne, Canaan Smith, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Easton Corbin, Eric Church, Eric Paslay, Gary Allan, George Strait, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Lady Antebellum, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt and more!

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    LINER AJ (Christmas)
    “Hi! This is Alan Jackson, and I’m wishing y’all a very Merry Christmas.”

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    LINER Billy Currington (Happy Holiday Season)
    “Hi! Billy Currington here, wishing you and your family a safe and Happy Holiday Season.”

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    LINER Brothers Osborne (Christmas)
    “Hey! This is T.J., and I’m John, and we are Brothers Osborne, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”

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    LINER Canaan Smith (Christmas)
    “Hey! What’s up guys? I’m Canaan Smith, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”

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    LINER Darius Rucker (Christmas)
    “Hey y’all! What’s up? This is Darius Rucker, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”

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    LINER Dierks Bentley (Christmas)
    “Hey! This is Dierks Bentley
    , wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”

     

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    LINER Easton Corbin (Merry Christmas)
    “Hey everybody! This is Easton Corbin, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”

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    LINER Easton Corbin (Happy Holidays)
    “Hey everybody! This is Easton Corbin, wishing you and your family a Happy Holidays.”

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    LINER Eric Church (Christmas)
    “Hey everybody! It’s Eric Church, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”

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    LINER Eric Paslay (Christmas)
    “Hi! I’m Eric Paslay. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.”

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    LINER Eric Paslay (Holiday Season)
    “Hi! I’m Eric Paslay, wishing you a very Happy Holiday Season.”

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    LINER Gary Allan (MerryChristmas)
    “Hey! This is Gary Allan. Merry Christmas.”

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    LINER George Strait (Happy Holidays)
    ““Hey everybody! This is George Strait, wishing you and your family a Happy Holiday season.”

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    LINER Jon Pardi (Merry Christmas)
    “Hey! This is Jon Pardi, wishing you a Merry Christmas!”

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    LINER Kacey Musgraves (Christmas)
    “Hey! This is Kacey Musgraves, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”

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    LINER Keith Urban (Christmas)
    “Hi folks, this is Keith Urban, wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.”

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    LINER Keith Urban (Holiday season)
    “Hi everyone, this is Keith Urban, wishing you and all your family the very best this holiday season.”

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    LINER Kip Moore (Christmas)
    “Hey guys, this is Kip Moore, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”

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    LINER Kip Moore (Happy Holidays)
    “Hey y’all, it’s Kip Moore. Happy Holidays!”

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    LINER Lady A (Christmas)
    “Hey everybody! We’re Lady Antebellum, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”

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    LINER Lady A (Happy Holidays)
    “Hey everybody! We are Lady Antebellum. Happy Holidays.”

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    LINER Lauren Alaina (Christmas)
    “Hey! This is Lauren Alaina, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”

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    LINER George Strait (Happy Holidays)
    ““Hey everybody! This is George Strait, wishing you and your family a Happy Holiday season.”

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    LINER LBT (Christmas)
    “Hey! We’re Little Big Town, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”

  • SOME OF NASHVILLE’S BIGGEST STARS HELP RAISE MORE THAN FOUR MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE COUNTRY RISING BENEFIT.

    Nashville’s biggest stars united Sunday night for COUNTRY RISING, raising more than four million dollars to support charitable initiatives for those affected by the September 2017 hurricanes as well as victims of the recent shooting in Las Vegas. From top to bottom, the production was as big as the talent that took the stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, including host Bobby Bones and performers Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Chris Stapleton, George Strait, Keith Urban and surprise guest Jon Pardi. Additionally, Garth Brooks sent in a special video from Spokane, WA where he donated proceeds from the night’s two shows.
     
    Lady Antebellum opened the show with some of their biggest chart-toppers as well as an ode to Tom Petty as the trio covered “Learning To Fly,” followed by host Bobby Bones welcoming the crowd. “Our country has been hit hard by tragedy this year,” Bones said. “It’s affected our families. It’s affected our friends. It’s affected the Country music community, but even during those hard times what we always try to do is find the good and make the difference, and tonight we’re trying to make the difference.” 

    Sam Hunt performed a medley of his biggest hits, as well as a unifying chorus of “This Land Is Your Land.” Martina McBride belted out timely songs including “Love’s The Only House” while Keith Urban brought energy to the stage as he interacted with the crowd and performed his soulful “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” Dierks Bentley’s set included his powerful song “Riser,” which he dedicated to the first responders and the community for rallying together and rising up in the midst of tragedy, also surprising the crowd by bringing out special guest Jon Pardi who performed “Dirt On My Boots.” 

    Jason Aldean took the stage for a significant set, acknowledging the shooting in Vegas that personally affected him.
     
    “It’s been a rough couple months for us up here, and it’s a lot of fun to get back out and play for the people who matter which is you guys,” said Aldean. “I love getting up every day and playing music, and I’ll be damned if anybody out there will ever stop me from doing that.”
     
    Little Big Town performed some of their biggest hits including their smash “Better Man” while Chris Stapleton’s set included his poignant “Broken Halos,” as he announced that he and his wife Morgane are donating $250,000 to the cause.

    Reba McEntire’s performance included her tenacious “Going Out Like That” while Garth Brooks sent a surprise special video performing “Callin’ Baton Rouge” from Spokane, WA, donating proceeds from the night’s shows.
     
    George Strait closed out the evening with his beloved hits including “Amarillo By Morning.”

    Fans across the country unable to attend the benefit can continue to give by texting ‘NASHVILLE’ to 41010, by donating at www.CountryRising.org or by purchasing merchandise HERE. All proceeds raised will go toward the Country Rising Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, which was established to support charitable initiatives to help victims of the September 2017 hurricanes — Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria. Additionally, the fund will also envelop victims of the recent shooting in Las Vegas. In the course of rebuilding lives disrupted by these devastating events, there are immediate needs and there also will be long-term needs. 
     
    COUNTRY RISING has also been supported by sponsors Citi, Texas Roadhouse, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, BMI, Budweiser, Frost, City National Bank, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store™, Sony Pictures Animation’s THE STAR, WME and Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Additional local businesses including Vintage Sparkle Furniture Rental, Events Plus, Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, Black Tie Moving, Virago, Hattie B’s, Copper Whisk Cakes, Tin Roof, Dry House, Love and Lion, Foot and Salt Spa, HH Events and Revive Nashville have also stepped up to support the cause. 

    all photo credit: Getty Images