Some of country music's biggest acts took to the stage along with a few extra celebrities and acts to help raise money towards the recovery of the 53 devastating tornadoes that ripped through Alabama this past April. Out of those, seven were classified as EF-4 and two were classified EF-5. This was the most severe outbreak in history. There was over $4 billion worth of damage to homes and businesses.
That's where the big hearts in country music come to help. The group Alabama put together a benefit concert along with the help of others. Alabama's Teddy Gentry said "As soon as we talked that night, me and Randy, he said we gotta do something. And I said yeah whatever we can do. So that's the reason we're here is to help people and not worry about anything else. [We] try to come out and play some music and raise some money for these folks." The super-group of country, who has been in the business for 30 years are on a comeback, but this was not part of the plan. Their big hearts to help those in need definitely was shining through all night.
When you sit and take a look at the list of artists that contributed to Bama Rising by performing or making an appearance it's amazing. According to Randy Owen of Alabama, "It's gonna be like a historical kind of night for our state and for the people that hurting so much. I think that our hopes and our wishes are that it'll be where that people understand that hey, people really do care about us."
And with that said, they sure do. When disaster strikes you can count on country music artists to jump in and be there to help. Alabama native Ashton Shepherd though of the even as special. "It's really really special being from Alabama and I'm still a resident of Alabama. Ya know, it really means a lot to get to do something for my state. She talked in an interview of her aunt who lived in Tuscaloosa. "That's where we used to go stay with her. You really kinda have roots there. We're not but an hour and 15 min driving distance away from Tuscaloosa and we were fortunate the weather missed us and there were so many unfortunate. That's why we're here tonight is to try to bring some smiles to some people's faces who've been frowning for a little while."
The show was spectacular. Here's a list of the line-up.
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| Alabama |
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| Ashton Shepherd |
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| Bo Bice |
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| Darius Rucker |
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| Brad Paisley |
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| David Nail |
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| Dierks Bentley |
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| Jake Owen |
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| Kellie Pickler |
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| Little Big Town |
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| Luke Bryan |
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| Martina McBride |
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| Rodney Atkins |
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| Sara Evans |
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| Sheryl Crow |
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| Taylor Hicks |
The Commodores also made a special appearance singing the famous hits "Brickhouse" and "Lady." Dale Earnhart Jr made an appearance as well, introducing some artists.
On May 20th, tickets went on sale for the event and sold out early that afternoon. The funds from the ticket sales as well as a generous donation from Verizon Wireless, who also signed on as a sponsor, will be distributed through The Greater Birmingham Community Foundation. This will help rebuild communities that have been hit so hard by the tornadoes. During the course of the night, fans were asked to text "
BAMA" to "
501501" to donate $10. (Charges will be applied to your cell phone bill.) You can still donate by texting the number above.
Brad Paisley, who donated his sound, light and video equipment for the show, talked about how country music artists come together in time of need. "It was so absolutely devastating. I mean, you don't really see all that often from a thing like a tornado and it really means a lot to me that something I do can help. That's the thing about music you wouldn't expect. It's one of those things that can actually help out and put a little band-aid on it." All services for the night were donated, including performances and equipment.
The Blind Boys of Alabama, who opened the show with a heartfelt rendition of Amazing Grace said, "We always come together. That's the way America is. When things are down, when ships are down we can depend on the American people to come together and stand up." All artists agreed throughout the night that no matter what happens you can depend on your good neighbors to be there for each other.
Over $2 million dollars was raised through Bama Rising.
Of the artists that performed there were many that were from Alabama. Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice, Ashton Shepherd, Little Big Town, Blind Boys of Alabama, The Commodores and of course, Alabama.
More Videos of the artists interviews will be posted later. Thanks to everyone who took part in the benefit concert or took the time to donate.
www.bamarising.org
