In light of May's devastating tornadoes in central Oklahoma, some of country's biggest names came out to support a good cause. The Gaylord Family's Oklahoma Memorial Center at the University of Oklahoma was completely sold out with an estimated 65,000 people turning out Saturday despite sweltering heat.
Many of those in attendance knew a victim or suffered from the storm themselves."It was very scary for us. We've been out there helping our friends, digging through the rubble, and because we're so close, we've had a lot of patients come in who lost everything who have symptoms of PTSD," said Maria Carter, a physician whose office is in Oklahoma City. She spoke to The Tulsa World, adding "It's almost surreal, but we wanted to come out and support this cause.
According to The Today Show, Toby Keith organized the concert held in Norman, Oklahoma. He performed to a packed stadium even seven hours into the show. The main event however was Oklahoma native Garth Brooks. As the crowd gave him a a standing ovation, he assured them, "Today the healing begins." Garth's wife, country singer Trisha Yearwood, joined him for a duet, "In Another's Eyes."
Other renowned musical acts included Willie Nelson, Mel Tillis, John Anderson, Ronnie Dunn, Wade Hayes, Sammy Hagar, Keith's daughter Krystal Keith, and a satellite performance from Carrie Underwood.
Oklahoma native, The Voice judge, and former CMA Male Artist of the Year Blake Shelton generated a whopping $6 million in donations and pledges through his own benefit concert last month.