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Ben Folds is alarmed at the lack of media attention of the ongoing crisis in Tennessee brought on by massive flooding, which caused billions in dollars in damage and claimed 22 lives. The North Carolina native has posted a personal photo blog on National Geographic, detailing the damage.
“When I realized the extent of the flood I was disappointed in the media,” says Folds. “Because I was online constantly and had seen very little that showed what was actually happening. I think also that many who were in the middle of it hadn’t had time to upload pictures – the ones that had been uploaded just weren’t shot in a way that told the story, which is just a matter of technique and experience. Honestly just because you aim a camera at something doesn’t mean its going to translate. As is always the case, the more access people have to images that tell the story, the more awareness, help and results you can get so I thought I should get some images up on twitter.”
NPR has posted an in-depth story about the challenges still facing musicians in flood-ravaged Nashville. “Last night, I was sitting there with my wife, listening to my new album, and I said, ‘Those guitar sounds on this record, I will never be able to duplicate again because all of those guitars are gone,'” says Mavericks founder Raul Malo. The Grand Ole Opry, one of Music City’s most famous landmarks, remains closed for repairs.
GAC will hold the first national telethon for Tennessee flood relief this Sunday, featuring Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, and Rodney Atkins. The show, dubbed Music City Keeps On Playin’, will emanate from the Ryman Auditorium and air May 16 from 8-10 Eastern.
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld has pledged to donate all the proceeds from his upcoming Nashville show to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
To make a donation, visit the Red Cross.
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