Although the skies have brightened and the water is beginning to recede, the overflow from the Cumberland River into downtown Nashville has left the area washed out.
The weekend storm killed 21 people in Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky, and has flooded the Broadway area of Nashville, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Flooding of the river near Briley Parkway hit the Grand Ole Opry House and the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, according to Country Music Television News.
The historic Ryman Auditorium was not hit, although a Goo Goo Dolls concert was rescheduled from Sunday night.
CMT reported Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen planned to ask for the Nashville area to be designed a federal disaster area.
While many country artists are dealing with flood damage to their homes, others are experiencing problems involving their transportation and equipment.
In a message sent via Twitter, Chuck Wicks reported, “So many of my friends have been hit with the floods … keep them in your thoughts. Just found out my Bus/Trailer is Under Water.”
Monday afternoon, Brad Paisley issued two Twitter messages, the first stating, “On the positive side everyone is safe. On the negative… I think all my road guitar gear, amps, effects, are under 3 ft of river.” In another message, he added, “Not complaining though. Very very thankful to have weathered this. Prayers go out to anyone in these dire situations.”
Dierks Bentley returned to Nashville following Friday’s (April 30) performance with the Travelin’ McCourys at Merlefest in Wilkesboro, N.C., and planned to appear Sunday in Knoxville, Tenn. Instead, he canceled the Knoxville show and Monday’s concert in Charlottesville, Va., and spent his time trying to empty his flooded basement with a bucket. Eventually, he put together a makeshift pump to remove the water.
“Replaced bucket with hodge podge of leftover pieces from home depot,” he wrote on Twitter. “It’s been ransacked.”
For the full report, visit CMT.com.
