Roots, Toots n' Hoots Blog

In the wake of death, tornadoes, country once again steps up

Jeffrey Remz  |  May 6, 2011

The country music community once again is stepping up to the plate in the wake of the disastrous storms and torandoes that hit the south last week.

Hank Williams Jr. is helping spearhead a live fundraiser on CMT on May 12 featuring Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Alabama, Ronnie Dunn and Sara Evans.

Today, we learned that Taylor Swift is doing something pretty cool - she's opening up the final dress rehearsal for the U.S. portion of her Speak Now tour to the public as a fundraiser.

There are doubtless other events that will happen as well.

Of course, it's too bad the singers and bands have to have to make these kinds of efforts period, but doing so seems to go with the territory. After all, these performers are in the position of being able to raise awareness and funds for a variety of issues or causes quickly and easily because of who they are.

Hank Jr. put it well when he said, "I just couldn't believe what I was seeing on TV. Alabama is home - I am really pumped about helping. I want to raise a lot of money, and thanks to my good friends, we are going to be able to make a difference."

No doubt about it - a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Besides hundreds dead, the images of whole sections of towns being leveled and destroyed was incredible.

Swift also said it well:"I was watching the coverage of the tornadoes backstage at rehearsals, and I wanted to do something for the families affected by the damage," Swift said. "I've never opened a rehearsal to the public before, but I felt that inviting my fans to the last rehearsal for the Speak Now Tour would be a great way to raise money."

As usual, the country music community has come together to help those in their backyard just as they did for last May's Nashville floods. Let's hope the funds raised makes a big difference.