NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts/ MCA Nashville) -
Chely Wright and friends in music Keith Anderson, Emerson Drive,
Danielle Peck, Kellie Pickler, Mindy Smith, Taylor Swift, Trent Tomlinson, Clay Walker, and
Chris Young set the pace for the 2007 CMA
Music Festival to perform in front of a standing-room only crowd last night at The 7th Annual Reading, Writing & Rhythm Benefit Concert held at the Wildhorse Saloon.
Consistent with years past, the event was sold-out again this year. With nearly 500 Chely Wright fan club members and more than 200 sponsors and VIP's in attendance, Nashville's most famous saloon was filled to capacity [1,500]. 'The attendance and generosity of the country music fans and concertgoers speaks volumes in support of this charity that continues to grow year after year,' said Char Daniels, Treasurer of Reading, Writing & Rhythm, 'The charity raised over $185,000 in cash and non-cash contributions last night! The attendance and monies raised far exceed years past to make this a record-breaking event.'
In addition to the live performances, the soiree featured live and silent auctions. Auction items ranged in price from affordable autographed artist swag packages (CD/Photo/Merch) to the more extravagant. Wanna-be attendees had the opportunity to make last-minute bids on eBay to purchase two VIP-All Access passes to attend last night's concert. The winning bid was $4,550; the auction winner sat front-row, center-stage to watch the concert and received All-Access backstage passes. The first live auction of the evening -The American Airlines 'Seeing Stars' Fly-Away Package to see Tim McGraw & Faith Hill in concert-brought $3,600. The package included two show tickets, two meet & greet passes and two round-trip air tickets from any domestic destination in the US. Kellie Pickler, who performed three songs including her single 'Red High Heels,' sold the shoes from her feet after her performance. Her personal red high heels sold for $2,600. Other big-ticket items included a shopping spree with Chely Wright at Nashville's swanky boutique, Flavour, ($3,600) a Plasma TV donated by Best Buy ($1200) and a leather pant suit worn by Martina McBride on the Grand Ole Opry.
Taylor Swift said it best in her introduction to describe the reason for the evening, "It is so awesome to be invited to perform at Chely`s benefit concert! This not my first time being here though...This is my third time that I've been in attendance. For two consecutive years, I sat in the audience and watched this show from a seat in the crowd. I love Chely's thoughts and perspective on music in schools and the reasons why she supports it so. She feels like strong music programs prevent kids from turning to drugs and alcohol. Last year, I was a sophomore at Hendersonville High School and 'music' is why I never 'dabbled' in alcohol for fun and never have. So, I can tell you that this charity is truly making a difference. Music is such an escape for me and I think every student deserves that in his or her life."
Complete with special surprises, the legendary Tanya Tucker wowed the audience when she took the stage mid-way through the evening performing four songs, Ty Herndon appeared as a special and unexpected guest at the close of the show, and in celebration of their first number one record, Chely presented Emerson Drive with a plaque and a Dom Perignon toast to commemorate the occasion.
This year's event was sponsored by: American Airlines, BB&T Financial, BMI, Best Buy, Catena Watches, Flavour, Harley Davidson of Cool Springs, Shure Mics, Wildhorse Saloon and XM Satellite Radio.
Emceed by celebrity columnist/reporter, Brad Schmitt, the concert event was aired live on XM Satellite Radio in its entirety.
Customary to every close of the event each year, Chely signed autographs until the wee hours of the morning, signing off at 4:00AM.
