Were All For The Hall Benefit Funraiser

According to information released today by the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, Keith Urban’s We’re All for the Hall benefit concert has already netted in excess of $500,000. That number will continue to increase from additional corporate donations (not yet tabulated) and the planned online auction of a Taylor Swift guitar donated by the singer following her performance at the October 13 benefit.“As Keith said from the stage of the Sommet Center, this was ‘one of the greatest open-mike nights ever seen in Nashville’,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “We’re All for the Hall not only set a new standard for fundraising and event coordination, it brought together an entire community and helped us to see just what can be done by individuals when there is collective passion for a cause. There is no question that this is a game changer for us as we work to preserve the history of country music and teach its cultural importance to an international audience.”“This was my hope,” said Vince Gill, who is president of the Museum’s Board of Officers and Trustees and the creator and leader of the Museum’s All for the Hall fundraising initiative. “I can’t really believe it happened. This is a big, big payday, and times are tough. It makes so much sense to me for the artists, musicians and fans of country music to help out the place that documents and preserves our music and keeps all its great stories for our benefit and for discovery by future generations.” “Fans came from all over the United States and as far away as Canada,” Young said. “Many took the opportunity to visit the Museum. We credit this unprecedented exposure for bringing twice as many tourists into the Museum than is usual on an October Tuesday. Museum attendance during the days following the concert put the week in the ranks of the top ten since we opened in May 2001.”The concert, which took place before a sold-out crowd of 14,000 at Nashville’s Sommet Center, was also seen by nearly a million fans through a live online broadcast made possible by Verizon and Samsung, both key contributors. Nearly 70 corporate partners, listed below, played a role in the benefit by contributing products, time or funds.“To those on the stage and behind the stage, to all of the corporate partners who gave so generously, and to all of the fans who made the night what it became,” said Urban, “thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’ve never been so moved by the power that music has to bring people together, not only to share an experience, but to do such good in the process.”With the exception of Gill, Urban invited artists with whom he performed or recorded in the last year to perform at the We’re All for the Hall benefit.Proceeds from We’re All for the Hall will be invested in the care of the institution’s rare and unduplicated collection, in its vigorous schedule of school and family programs, and in enhancements for its core exhibition, Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music.