Cumulus Media is raising money today, May 29, through its 525 radio stations for the victims of last week’s tornado in Oklahoma. The telethon will be followed by the Healing in the Heartland: Relief Benefit Concert, organized by Oklahoma native and country star Blake Shelton.
At 8 p.m., the 84 country format stations owned by Cumulus will broadcast a live one-hour fundraising special hosted by country star Kix Brooks and KSCS(FM) Dallas personality Hawkeye, from backstage at the concert venue.
The concert will raise money to aid victims of the tornado that tore through Moore, Okla., on May 20 and killed at least 24, injured hundreds, and damaged houses, hospitals and schools in Moore and Oklahoma City. All proceeds raised from the fundraising efforts will go to the United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund.
The concert will be broadcast live at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, and Dial Global will also provide a radio simulcast of the concert. It will be simulcast on the Cumulus Media country stations, as well as on cable networks Style, G4, Bravo, E and CMT on either a live or delayed basis. Dial Global will offer a simulcast to every country radio station in the United States, in addition to radio stations of all formats in Tornado Alley.
“We hope our efforts help to bring much-needed relief to these communities. Radio’s power to help communities in need is truly inspiring,” said Lew Dickey, CEO of Cumulus.
The concert will be headlined by Shelton, who will headline the event from Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. Miranda Lambert, who is also Shelton’s wife, will perform as well. Other artists to appear include Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Luke Bryan, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Usher and Ryan Tedder from One Republic.
Working with community partners, United Way of Central Oklahoma will use the fund for immediate, intermediate and long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts following the tornadoes that devastated Moore.
