Trace Adkins and Craig Morgan to Headline Fundraising Concert to Honor Nashville Flood Volunteers
Three Nashville Nonprofits To Benefit from November 18th Event at Gaylord Opryland Resort
Nashville, Tenn—( October 20, 2010 )Gaylord Entertainment will celebrate the spirit of Nashville with a community fundraising concert in honor of the tens of thousands of volunteers who took to the streets to help their neighbors after the unprecedented flooding that swept through the city last May. Country stars Trace Adkins and Craig Morgan will headline the event, which is part of the Grand Reopening festivities at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Tickets will be available to the general public through three of Nashville’s leading nonprofit agencies, which will keep all proceeds from ticket sales.
“We are tremendously proud of how our fellow Nashvillians responded to the devastating flood that left so much destruction throughout the entire city. They reacted immediately, with amazing courage and resilience, to start cleaning up neighborhoods and rebuilding homes. The people of Nashville have done more in the past six months that most cities could accomplish in a year or more,” said Colin Reed, chairman and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment.
“We are also fortunate to have such amazing leadership behind our local nonprofit organizations. They were faced with the monumental task of organizing and focusing an army of volunteers that popped up almost overnight. Their performance has been as close to flawless as I’ve ever seen,” added Reed.
The “Greater Together 2010” fundraising concert will be hosted at the Gaylord Opryland Resort on Thursday, November 18, at 7:30 p.m., following the world-famous lighting ceremony for the hotel’s annual A Country Christmas celebration. The Gaylord Entertainment Foundation will provide 500 tickets each to three Nashville nonprofit agencies: Hands on Nashville, the Nashville Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Tickets are available only through these organizations. All proceeds from ticket sales will be a direct contribution to that organization.
“A city is only as strong as its people, and I think the entire world got a good look at how strong the city of Nashville is,” said Trace Adkins. “When all those volunteers marched out into the streets of Nashville to help put this city back together again, I’ve never been more proud to call this place home. We’re going to do what we can to say ‘thank you’ to the volunteers and organizations who answered the call to help their neighbors out after the flood. That’s just the Nashville way, and it’s worth celebrating.”
“The people of Nashville have shown their true colors after the flood, jumping at every chance to help their neighbors and rebuild this city,” said Craig Morgan.“The people of Nashville have shown their true colors after the flood, jumping at every chance to help their neighbors and rebuild this city,” said Craig Morgan. “And now, thanks to Gaylord, we’ve got the chance to give a little something back to those organizations who were there for the people of Nashville in their time of need. I’m excited to be a part of this show and to say thank you to the countless volunteers who worked so hard to bring this city back to where it is today.”
“The volunteers have been absolutely inspirational, and we wanted to find a way to honor them as part of our Grand Reopening celebration,” said Reed. “We’re thrilled that Trace Adkins and Craig Morgan have agreed to be part of this event. It’s a well deserved ‘thank you’ to the entire city of Nashville.”
Gaylord will provide concert goers with free parking and free concert fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, and soft drinks. Wine and beer will also be available at a discounted price.
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center has been closed since the record-breaking flood in early May forced the facility to evacuate more than 1,500 guests and employees. After nearly seven months of extensive reconstruction and renovations, the hotel will officially open its doors on Monday, November 15. A three-day Grand Reopening celebration will be held Thursday, November 18, to Saturday, November 19, with thousands of meeting planners and honored guests being invited to enjoy the best entertainment that Music City USA has to offer. The reopening celebration is designed to showcase the entire city of Nashville as the perfect travel destination for business or pleasure.
About Gaylord Entertainment
Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn., owns and operates Gaylord Hotels (www.gaylordhotels.com), its network of upscale, meetings-focused resorts, and the Grand Ole Opry (www.opry.com), the weekly showcase of country music’s finest performers for more than 80 consecutive years. The Company's entertainment brands and properties include the Radisson Hotel Opryland, Ryman Auditorium, General Jackson Showboat, Gaylord Springs Golf Links, Wildhorse Saloon, and WSM-AM. For more information about the Company, visit www.GaylordEntertainment.com.
Investor Releations Contacts
Mark Fioravanti, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Gaylord Entertainment
615-316-6588
mfioravanti@gaylordentertainment.com
Patrick Chaffin, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Investor Relations
Gaylord Entertainment
615-316-6282
pchaffin@gaylordentertainment.com
Media Contacts
Brian Abrahamson, Vice President of Corporate Communications
Gaylord Entertainment
(615) 316-6302
babrahamson@gaylordentertainment.com
Josh Hochberg or Dan Zacchei
Sloane & Company
(212) 486-9500
jhochberg@sloanepr.com, dzacchei@sloanepr.com
