Kenny Chesney And CMA To Donate $500,000 To Smoky Mountain Relief

2016 CMA Pinnacle Award winner Kenny Chesney and CMA are matching funds to donate $500,000 ($250,000 each) to aid families impacted by recent wildfires in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Photo: Courtesy Blue Chair Bay/Columbia Nashville

Kenny Chesney and CMA are combining resources to aid families devastated by recent wildfires in Gatlinburg, Tenn. The wildfires were responsible for 14 deaths and more than 2,400 homes and business that were damaged or destroyed.

A native of East Tennessee, Chesney has been a vocal and ardent supporter of the ongoing relief effort.

CMA and Chesney are collectively contributing $500,000 for the cause ($250,000 each). A portion of the proceeds will be earmarked for Dolly Parton and her My People Fund, which provides $1,000 each month for up to six months to Sevier County families who lost their homes in the wildfires.

Parton, Big & Rich, Amy Grant, Chris Janson, Alison Krauss, LOCASH, Montgomery Gentry, Reba, Kenny Rogers, Michael W. Smith, Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, and more will perform during “Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund” telethon airing Tuesday, Dec. 13 (8:00 PM/ET) on Great American Country. AXS TV, RFD, and the Heartland Network have been added as broadcast partners.

“Smoky Mountains Rise” also will be simulcast across multiple radio chains, including iHeart Media’s digital and select on-air platforms, Cumulus Media’s NASH Nights LIVE, TuneIn’s Country Roads channel and several other platforms. USAToday.com and USA Today National Network plans to live steam the telethon.