After Dolly Parton set up a telethon—Smoky Mountains Rise—to help those affected by the wildfires that devastated her hometown in East Tennessee, Zac Brown Band is stepping up to the plate by headlining the Mountain Tough Benefit set for Saturday, Dec. 17, in Gatlinburg, Tenn.
The day-long outdoor festival, presented by Ole Smoky Moonshine, Yee Haw Brewing Company, The Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau and Music City Roots, is designed to raise money for the Gatlinburg community with 100 percent of proceeds going to the Sevier County Community Fund.
Along with Zac Brown Band, other artists participating in the the festival include Jim Lauderdale, Sam Bush, Derek St. Holmes, Jason D. Williams, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, Randy Kohrs, Sarah Potenza, Moe Pitney and Chelle Rose, with more announcements expected in the coming days.
“Our hometown has experienced immeasurable pain and suffering over the last week,” said Joseph A. Baker, founder of Ole Smoky Moonshine. “We’re working hard to open up the city, get people back to work and start making memories again for the millions of families that love to visit Gatlinburg. We’re incredibly grateful to the Zac Brown Band, Music City Roots, and many others for their help in making this Mountain Tough Benefit possible. While this event is free and all are invited, we hope that people will share what they can knowing that 100 percent of all proceeds from this effort will go to those affected by the recent fires.”
You can also make a contribution to the Sevier County Community Fund right now.