Nashville Rising

Nashville, Tennessee is under water.

My beloved Nashville....the place I grew up worshiping and wanting to be. The place I dreamed about every day and was privileged enough to see in person eight years ago on my Graduation Trip! (Thank God I got to see it before the floods, in all its Glory!) Yes, most kids go to Florida or Disneyland, or overseas and party-hearty after they graduate High School. Me, I went to Nashville! It was the only place I'd ever really wanted to go, aside from Italy (still haven't made it there, someday!)--and I went! It was an absolutely beautiful place and so much more than I had ever dreamed of! It exceeded my expectations! It was wonderful! And now, the city that has my heart--the city that I grew up loving, admiring and following almost as closely as if it was my own--is under water. And I am devastated. I haven't written about it because every time I think about it I cry. I did this during Katrina too, that was devastating on a whole other level obviously, but --Nashville is hurting too.

I will say that this incident has NOT ONCE been on Headline news since it happened and that pisses me off to NO end! I went on ONE website and read the comments about how dumb and dorky and not worth it country artists are--and the anger that arose in me made me shut my computer off. If I don't write about the Nashville flood again, it's because just writing this entry has been difficult.

Because I can't help but hurt with Nashville too, grieve with the people and want to do SOMETHING to help! Tonight, I am!

Currently I am watching a telethon on GAC called "Keep on Playing" and it pretty has EVERYONE who is anyone in Country Music! A lot of these country artists lost their own homes, their precious instruments and musical equipment, they lost their cars, their belongings...everything. Can you imagine? You know, I know most of those people (the artists) have enough money to replace what they lost materialistically, but others do not. And while you can replace things, yes, you can't replace memories, family, photographs or the feeling of being "home!" That is such a precious gift and to even think of losing that--oh, I cry. I go around saying I'm so blessed all the time because I am. I've never been homeless, I've never been displaced. It's a miracle!

TN is the Volunteer State and I know they're working together to combat the damage, but so much damage has already been done. It's not just country artists, it's the WHOLE town--the entire city of Nashville and surrounding counties. God Bless and help each of them.

This concert benefit on GAC does not surprise me, at all. Say what you want about country music--it's hokey, it's old-fashioned--it's twangy, etc, etc....but you know what...

Country artists have ALWAYS helped EVERYONE else! Country artists have ALWAYS come to the rescue of ANY natural disaster--especially Hurricane Katrina 5 years ago! Country artists are often BETTER-known for their charity work than their music! They are the first to lend a helping hand to a plethora of organizations including The Starkey Hearing Foundation, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Shriner's, Vanderbilt University, Second Harvest, PETA, The Humane Society, Wildlife Federation, and the list goes on. Now it is OUR turn to help THEM! It is OUR turn to return the favor!

I have lived, breathed and adored country music my entire life, and while it is no longer my career aspiration--it is still one of my greatest loves--and greatest passions--in life! My heart is aching for ALL of Nashville and you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be donating some of my dollars to help with the relief efforts.....

I hope you'll join me!

Thank you! God Bless Country Music, God Bless Nashville and God Bless Us Everyone!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz