Justin Townes Earle, Caitlin Rose Raise Money For Flood Victims

On Tuesday night at the popular East Nashville watering hole and music venue The 5 Spot, musicians and community members gathered to raise money for Nashville flood victims. The evening began with performances by Joshua Black Wilkins, Josh Hedley, Derek Hoke and Caitlin Rose. Hedley again took the stage to play alongside Justin Townes Earle for the last set of the night.

“Last night’s benefit at The 5 Spot proves yet again what a great community we have in East Nashville. We raised $3,000 for the Musicares Flood Relief fund,” Traci Thomas, the show’s organizer, said.

Tickets for the benefit show cost  $15, and all proceeds from sales went to Musicares. Concertgoers were also able to buy $2 raffle tickets for special giveaways including guitars, concert tickets, magazine subscriptions and signed posters.

Justin Townes Earle, who’s been holed up in Nashville working on his next album, was in particularly fine form. Alongside Bryn Davies on upright bass and Josh Hedley on fiddle, Earle’s trio were joined by Cory Younts on harmonica for evening’s last few songs.

Equally sharp was Caitlin Rose, who’s been working on a new record as well. The full-band take for “Shangai Cigarettes” (which Rose previously debuted for American Songwriter‘s Holly House Sessions last November) proved to be a stunning arrangement.

Jody Williams, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI Nashville, added, “Clearly, you’ve got Justin Townes Earle and Caitlin Rose, who are the cream of the crop in Nashville. Then, on top of that, I became acquainted with Derek Hoke, who’s one of the most talented songwriters I’ve ever heard.” Williams said he arrived at The 5 Spot after attending a BMI-hosted party for the Country Throwdown Tour and also a benefit for flood victims at The Red Rooster with singer-songwriters Luke Laird, Jedd Hughes and others. The three events – each representing a unique aspect of Nashville – combined to create an amazing evening, said Williams.

All in all, The 5 Spot benefit was a success, both musically and financially.

To donate to Nashville Musicares Flood Relief, visit www.Grammy.com.