Last night was the much anticipated Nashville Rising Benefit concert to raise funds and awareness for Nashville Flood Relief. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill used their star power and called in the big guns, beckoning friends to lend their hands, voices, and talents for a concert to raise funds for the Nashville Rising Flood Concert.

The line-up was stellar, and eclectic enough to give everyone something to enjoy. I also have to give props to the crew and the band, The Dance Hall Doctors. No only were the set-changes seamless, but the band hung-out on stage for over 4 hours, playing along with all of the acts.

Each performer sang one or two hits, and Carrie Underwood kicked-off the night. Although everyone did an amazing job, there were several highlights of the night that got the sold-out crowd on their feet. The crowed errupted when Lynyrd Skynyrd sang “Sweet Home Alabama,” Miranda Lambert gave me a surprising case of chill-bumps from a phenomenal version of “The House that Built Me,” and Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins always rowdy-up the crowd with “Hillbilly Bone.” The crowd went nuts when ZZ Top came out to perform “Sharp Dressed Man.”

Surprises of the night….Trace Adkins showing up to perform with Blake, tons of video appearances from Reese Witherspoon, Dolly Parton, and Matthew McConaughey. America’s Sweetheart, Sandra Bullock also made a personal appearance. Looking stunning, and being her usual witty self, Sandra introduced Faith Hill to the stage, but not without a very poor attempt at playing “Smoke on the Water” first.

“Ok who am I kidding,” she said as she put down her instrument. “I can’t play for crap.”

Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, a very tattooed Billy Ray Cyrus, Martina McBride, Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Montgomery Gentry also performed.  Many guests shared their opinions about the lack of media coverage, but all showed pride in their Tennessee ties and roots.

Over all, the event was amazing. And, I’m sure when all is said and done the event will have raised between $2-3 Million for the Community Fund of Nashville.

You can see all of our pictures here.

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