NASHVILLE – 2016 CMA Pinnacle Award winner Kenny Chesney
and CMA are combining resources to aid families devastated by recent
wildfires in Gatlinburg, Tenn. The wildfires were responsible for 14
deaths and more than 2,400 homes and business that were damaged or
destroyed.
A native of East Tennessee, Chesney has been a vocal and ardent supporter of the ongoing relief effort.
“Growing up in East Tennessee, the only thing greater than the beauty of
the region is the heart of the people who live there,” said Chesney, a
four-time CMA Entertainer of the Year. “It is devastating to think of
what’s been lost in terms of the fire, but overwhelming for the families
facing rebuilding their lives – in many cases – from scratch. I’m
appreciative that CMA shares my hope that these families can feel our
love at a time of such tragedy.”
“At CMA we feel such a strong connection to the residents of the area
who have lost loved ones, as well as those that have lost personal
property or income from businesses that are now closed,” said Sarah Trahern,
CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Many of our artists and CMA members have
close ties to the region as well; and we are grateful to Kenny for his
leadership and honored to support him in the recovery efforts in East
Tennessee.”
CMA
and Chesney are collectively contributing $500,000 for the cause
($250,000 each). A portion of the proceeds will be earmarked for 2016
CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Dolly Parton and
her My People Fund, which provides $1,000 each month for up to six
months to Sevier County families who lost their homes in the wildfires.
Parton,
Big & Rich, Amy Grant, Chris Janson, Alison Krauss, LOCASH,
Montgomery Gentry, Reba, Kenny Rogers, Michael W. Smith, Chris
Stapleton, Chris Young, and more will perform during “Smoky Mountains
Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund” telethon airing Tuesday, Dec. 13 (8:00 PM/ET) on Great American Country. AXS TV, RFD, and the Heartland Network have been added as broadcast partners.
“Smoky Mountains Rise” also will be simulcast across multiple radio
chains, including iHeart Media’s digital and select on-air platforms,
Cumulus Media’s NASH Nights LIVE, TuneIn’s Country Roads channel and
several other platforms. USA Today.com and USA Today National Network
plans to live steam the telethon.
Remaining funds from CMA will be distributed where need is the greatest
with the hopes of reaching as many impacted families and individuals as
possible. Working with established local agencies in an attempt to
identify those organizations that are providing valuable and necessary
services.
“Our goal is to fulfill specific needs by working with organizations
like Dolly’s My People Fund that have a clear mission and the structure
to assist a wide-range of people by providing a broad range of
resources,” said Trahern.
Photo Credit: Danny Clinch