Blake Shelton Headlines Gatlinburg and a $54,000 Donation

The Ole Red Gatlinburg is celebrating its grand week-long opening in Gatlinburg, Tennessee with Blake Shelton! He also raised funds for a local high school.

The Ole Red Gatlinburg opened its doors. And on the 13th of March, Shelton took part in the celebration by performing a private concert. The event raised more than $29,000 via ticket sales. Meanwhile, Ryman Hospitality Properties donated an additional $25,000 to bring up the total to more than $54,000. Proceeds will go to the Gatlinburg-Pittman High School’s music programs.

See a glimpse of it here!

A press conference was held in support of the festivities, and Shelton expressed his appreciation for the bustling city’s warm welcome.

“When I think of country music and where it started, I think of the mountains of East Tennessee. I’m so proud to be here and I think this one may be my favorite location because the music is the focal point. The room is almost shaped like a speaker, I love it!”

The Ole Red Gatlinburg

The Ole Red Gatlinburg is a 13,500-square-foot entertainment venue with a two-story bar and restaurant, retail area, performance space, dance floor, and exterior terrace.

Gatlinburg is the third Ole Red location, following the first in Shelton’s adopted Oklahoma hometown of Tishomingo and a second in Nashville. He has also recently announced plans for a fourth location coming to Orlando in 2020.

The common goal for all of the venues is to give regional rising acts opportunities to showcase their talents. He also narrated how much his professional gigs meant to him, that’s why he wanted to give other artists a chance as well. 

“From an artist’s standpoint, this is my favorite stage of the three because of the setup. You can see out here in front of you with the two levels, and you can actually see back here in a little ways … It’s literally shaped like a megaphone speaker, and it’s perfect.”