Nashville Rising Benefit Raises Money, Spirits

Last night’s Nashville Rising benefit concert, featuring country music’s biggest stars, was an epic affair, lasting five hours. Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Miley Cyrus, and Carey Underwood were just a few of the acts who took the stage at the Bridgestone Arena, supported by McGraw’s backing band the Dance Hall Doctors, to perform for victims of the massive flood that beset Music City in May.

On the classic rock front, Lyrnyrd Skynyrd fired up the hits, with “Sweet Home Alabama” and “What’s Your Name” and ZZ Top offered “Sharp Dressed Man” and “La Grange/Tush”. Julie Roberts, who’s house was destroyed in the flood, sang her hit single “Somebody Does.” Other acts included Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, Toby Keith, and Faith Hill, who co-hosted the night with her husband, Tim McGraw.

All eyes were on Taylor Swift, who didn’t disappoint with impassioned versions of “Love Story” and “You Belong To Me,” and Miley Cyrus, who’s dad Billy Ray (singing “Could’ve Been Me”) was also on the bill. Cyrus performed her mega-hit “The Climb.” Special guest Sandra Bullock, who starred in the coming-to-Nashville movie The Thing Called Love, was on hand to introduce McGraw and Hill. It was a night of stars, and a night of good will.