Chris Tomlin’s ‘Good Friday Nashville’ Hits 10-Year Milestone [Interview]

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Chris Tomlin. Photo: Robby Klein

As Chris Tomlin prepares to take the stage at Bridgestone Arena for the 10th annual Good Friday Nashville on April 3, the event stands as both a marquee moment on the city’s live music calendar and a case study in how purpose-driven concerts can scale.

What began as a simple gathering has evolved into one of Nashville’s most anticipated annual events, with tickets for the following year traditionally going on sale immediately after the current show and often moving quickly. More than 60% of tickets for this year’s concert sold during Easter weekend following last year’s event, underscoring its growing demand and loyal audience base.

“I never would have dreamed we’d be 10 years down the road with this Good Friday Nashville concert,” Tomlin says. “It’s been quite a beautiful journey and something that I look forward to every year.”

The roots of the event trace back well before its Nashville debut. Tomlin first experienced the impact of a multi-church Good Friday gathering while living in Houston, later continuing the model in Atlanta. When he relocated to Nashville, he saw an opportunity to build something similar, though he admits he didn’t anticipate its eventual scale. Over the past decade, Good Friday Nashville has grown into the largest ticketed Christian concert ever held at Bridgestone Arena, while also becoming the venue’s longest-running annual charity-related event. It now ranks among the most significant recurring concerts in the building’s history, tying with Taylor Swift for the second-most headlining appearances.

Still, Tomlin is quick to downplay the role of star power in the event’s success.

“It’s something bigger than any artist,” he explains. “It’s not really about names. People just know it’s going to be meaningful and they come because of what it represents.”

That ethos extends to the event’s business model. Each year, proceeds are funneled back into the community, supporting initiatives tied to foster care and adoption through For Others, the nonprofit founded by Tomlin and his wife, Lauren. The organization has since grown into a national network connecting donors, nonprofits, businesses and government partners to address the foster care crisis.

“I didn’t feel right making money from it,” Tomlin says of the event’s earliest days. “I thought if this becomes something we do every year, it should give back.”

What began as a simple decision has since scaled into a broader movement. Inspired in part by personal connections, including family members who became foster parents, and a growing awareness of the needs within Tennessee, Tomlin has helped channel the event’s success into tangible outcomes.

“It just grabbed my heart,” he says. “Every kid deserves a safe, secure home. What started small has turned into something that’s making a real impact across the country.”

Along the way, Good Friday Nashville has also built a reputation for its surprise moments, with unannounced appearances from artists across genres. Past guests have included Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, Rascal Flatts, Lady A, Lauren Daigle and CeCe Winans, among others, adding an element of unpredictability that has become part of the show’s identity.

“Every year, people ask who’s going to show up,” Tomlin says. “Honestly, it always comes together in its own way.”

As the event marks its 10-year milestone, Tomlin says his focus remains on maintaining the foundation that has fueled its growth: consistency, community and clarity of purpose.

“I’m proud that it’s become something people want to come back to year after year,” he says. “It’s built a sense of unity, and it’s stayed true to what it’s meant to be from the beginning.”

With its combination of scale, impact and staying power, Good Friday Nashville has firmly established itself as more than a concert. It is a defining annual moment for both the industry and the community it serves.

LB Cantrell
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