Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund Benefit Offers Great Music for a Worthy Cause

The Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund Benefit is normally held annually during the CMA County Music Festival late Thursday nights at the historic Ryman Auditorium located in downtown Nashville. Each year this event offers a great line-up for a worthy cause.

The night started out with Steve Wariner taking the stage first. Known as one of the nicest guys in Nashville, Warner performed his first song "Burning Down the Road House." Next he performed "Hall of Fame for Momma's" with his brother Terry. He closed with a beautiful tribute to "the greatest guitar player ever, Chet Atkins" by dedicating his hit "Holes In The Floor of Heaven."

Taking the stage next was Joe Nichols. Starting with his current single "Size Matters" followed by a tribute to the late Buck Owens with "In the Palm of Your Hand." The next song he performed was "I Will Wait for You" written by Opry member Bill Anderson. Joe closed his set out with "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off." And they must have as a fan ran to the stage throwing a red, silky camisole that ended up hanging from the end of his guitar through the song.

Gracing the stage next was the incredible Wynonna. This reporter has not seen her in concert and was totally mesmerized with her performance. Wy started out with her hit single "Tell Me Why" followed by the Foreigner song "I Wanna Know What Love Is". This song was the best of the night... with what sounded like a full choir backing her up, she truly showed what a pro she is and what an incredible heart she has. This was a "goose bump" moment! She closed with another hit, "No Where Else On Earth."

Jack Greene and the Jolly Green Giants Band took the stage next. Singing his classics "Walking the Floor Over You", "Overtime", "There Goes my Everything" and "Statue of a Fool" this country icon wowed the audience.

Singing his next release "Amarillo Sky" the newest ACM New Male Vocalist, Jason Aldean took the stage. Followed by his hit "Why" and closing with the rockin' "Hicktown".

Joe Diffie took the stage next. Starting with his hit songs, "Third Rock from the Sun" and "Pick-Up Man." Followed by the Charlie Rich song "Behind Closed Doors" and "John Deere Green." He closed with the Jo Dee Messina song, "My Give A Damn's Busted", a song he co-wrote with Tom Shapiro and Tony Martin.

Know as a true legend, Jim Ed Brown performed "Southern Loving" first. Next he performed "Suddenly" and then his first solo success, "Pop-A-Top Again." On to "The Old Lamplighter" and then "The Three Bells" which sold over a million copies and created a sensation as the first number one country song ever to cross over to number one on the pop and rhythm & blues charts.

Next was suppose to be Daryl Singletary but due to breaking some ribs in the charity softball game that day, Australian Catherine Britt filled in for him singing "Swingin' Door", "I'm Gone", "Too Far Gone" and "Tiger By the Tail" dedicated to the late Buck Owens.

Taking the stage last was Tracy Byrd. Tracy started off with his hit, "I'm from the Country" followed by "A Hot Night in the Country", "Texas in the Rearview Mirror." Closing with his newest single "Cheapest Motel" which is on his new album due out in September.

This event is a CMA Music Festival week late-night tradition benefiting the Opry Trust Fund, which assists members of the country music community in need. The Opry Trust Fund was formed in 1965, the Opry's 40th birthday, by Opry management as a means to help those in the Country Music industry who have fallen on hard times.

The purpose of the fund is to give financial assistance in time of need, emergency or catastrophe to people who were or are actively engaged in Country Music. Most often, disbursements help pay medical bills and living expenses for people that are undergoing medical care and are unable to work. Money to support the Opry Trust Fund comes from proceeds from the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund Benefit (formally known as the annual Superstar Spectacular Benefit) as well as donations from other organizations and individuals.

Article Written & Submitted by Mary Maggart Click Here to View the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund Benefit Photo Gallery.