Musicians On Call Raises $130k From Rock The Room Tour Kick-Off in Nashville
Last night (10/21), Musicians On Call (MOC) kicked off its four-city Rock The Room Tour in Nashville, TN with a star-studded event that raised over $130,000 for the organization. The show, held at Nashville’s City Winery, featured acoustic performances from Reba, Martina McBride and Kelsea Ballerini and appearances by Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood, Nashville actor Charles Esten and Nashville Mayor Megan Berry.
The event also honored MOC supporter Shane Tarleton. Tarleton, who is also Warner Music Nashville’s Vice President & Creative Director, received the “Golden Ukelele” for Leadership in Music Award and was also serenaded by Reba and Martina for a duet of “Does He Love You.”
“We were so proud to launch the Rock The Room Tour in Nashville as we celebrate our amazing volunteers, supporters and celebrate delivering the healing power of music to 100,000 patients, families and caregivers in Music City,” said Pete Griffin, Musicians On Call President. “This ground-breaking, sold out evening would not have been possible without the support of our friend, Shane Tarleton, and we’re so grateful for the generosity of Reba, Martina and Kelsea to make this night so memorable.”
CountryMusicIsLove got to attend the event and chat with Ballerini, Esten, McBride and Haywood about what it meant for them to be at the Rock The Room Tour kick-off.
“I’ve gotten to be involved with Musicians on Call serval times now and go to Vanderbilt Children’s and sing for kids, way before I had anything going and recently and it’s just so cool,” Ballerini told CMIL. “It’s very heart warming. And to be able, I’m the youngest artist here, there are so many incredible people but to be able to celebrate and honor people that are so involved in it, it makes a difference I really believe it does, I believe that music makes a difference and I’ve seen it firsthand singing for these kids and their face lights up and when they don’t feel good and I think that says a whole lot. I think the more of us that can do that the better.”
Haywood has also worked with MOC through Lady Antebellum. “You know, my wife has been involved [with MOC] for years and with Lady Antebellum we started, gosh probably 5 or 6 years ago. Performed in a couple of hospitals and it such a special moment you know being in a room with a bunch of kids, you put a smile on their face and it just changes your world to watch that and so it’s such a great a cause here tonight, a lot of great artists to be here but also to honor our friend Shane, who my wife has worked with for years and I don’t know it just a great cause and a great organization.”
For Esten, the organization hits a little closer to home. His now 16-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 2 and he got to see firsthand how music made her feel better. Thankfully, his daughter has been in remission for the last ten years. “What I love about Musicians On Call is that they organize that and they know just where you’ll do the most good and know the people you can touch,” he told us. “I’m glad to be a part of raising money for it because when I was there and when I was in the other hospital rooms what you find out is that, there’s only so much you can do with words and say with words and you can be terribly supportive with words and be right there and holding a hand or things like that by a hospital bed but it’s a great great place for music. Music is somehow able to bridge a gap that might be there when you said all you can say; when they’ve heard all they can hear about you know how you are there for them. Somehow these songs take them to another place and when you’re locked in a hospital room for a long time you want to be taken to another place.”
MOC expanded to Nashville in 2007. The organization brings live and recorded music to patients in healthcare facilities across the country. MOC’s Rock The Room Tour will be held in three more cities — New York, Los Angeles, and Washington DC — with special events honoring those committed to supporting the nonprofit. Artists for those events will be announced soon.
Pictured L-R: Charles Esten, MOC President Pete Griffin, Reba, Shane Tarleton, Martina McBride, Kelsea Ballerini and Dave & Kelli Haywood
Photo credit: Rick Diamond
