Musicians on Call Event Goes for the Country Gold

Reba, Martina McBride and Kelsea Ballerini reached into the country gold category for the Musicians on Call benefit concert last night (Oct. 21) at Nashville’s City Winery. As the first stop of the Rock the Room Tour, the all-star concert honored Warner Music Nashville’s Shane Tarleton for volunteering thousands of hours for the organization, which brings live music into hospital rooms. The event raised more than $130,000 for the organization.

Reba relied on her 1980s catalog to lead her acoustic set – a treat for longtime fans who don’t often get to hear classics like “How Blue,” “One Promise Too Late” and “Somebody Should Leave” supported by just a guitarist and fiddle player. As a salute to those who benefit from Musicians on Call, she also performed “I’m a Survivor.” To conclude the night, she called up Tarleton to the stage, then traded verses with McBride on the dramatic “Does He Love You,” with the guest of honor beaming in the middle.

During her set, McBride joked that Tarleton only wanted to hear the miserable songs from her catalog. In addition to performing “Blessed” and “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” McBride obliged Tarleton’s request by dipping into her 1992 debut album for a despondent heartbreaker, “That’s Me.”

Earlier in the night, Ballerini stretched back 50 years with a splendid, stripped-down performance of “Make the World Go Away,” written by Hank Cochran and recorded by Eddy Arnold. She complemented that with the sprightly “Love Me Like You Mean It,” her breakthrough debut single.

Tarleton, who is Warner Music Nashville’s Vice President & Creative Director, received a Golden Ukelele trophy for the Musician On Call’s Leadership in Music Award. He received video testimonials from Terri Clark, Kelly Clarkson, Ronnie Dunn, Brett Eldredge, Hunter Hayes, Jana Kramer, Taillight TV’s Chandra LaPlume, Blake Shelton and others. Warner Music Nashville President and CEO John Esposito brought Tarleton to the stage.

The event also honored Musicians On Call volunteers Harlan Pease and Sandra Morgan.

The Rock The Room Tour was created to raise awareness of the impact music has on healing, honor leaders in entertainment and philanthropy, and raise funds for Musicians On Call. Upcoming tour dates will take place in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C., with a variety of honorees and musical guests.