Jon Pardi, Thomas Rhett Show Up Unannounced at Georgia on My Mind 2017
The Peach Pickers hosted their annual Georgia on My Mind benefit concert at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday night (May 16). A celebration of Peach State-bred artists and music, the show featured a number of well-known country names -- including a couple of surprises.
Up-and-comers Lauren Alaina and Michael Ray treated the Music City crowd to their hit singles "Road Less Traveled" and "Think a Little Less," respectively, while Chris Janson offered up his No. 1 single "Buy Me a Boat" -- with a little bit of his newest single, "Fix a Drink," mixed in -- and Billy Currington shared his take on the song "Georgia on My Mind," Georgia's official state song. During his time onstage, Kip Moore offered up a stunning acoustic take on his song "That Was Us."
The Peach Pickers -- Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip -- saved their two unannounced special guests for the end of the night: They introduced Jon Pardi and Thomas Rhett (Akins' son) to cheers from the audience. Pardi sang "Dirt on My Boots," his recent hit, while Rhett performed "Star of the Show" and "Die a Happy Man."
The Georgia on My Mind concert, which is presented by Jameson Irish Whiskey, benefits the Georgia Music Foundation. In 2014, 2015 and 2016 combined, the event raised more than $150,000 for the organization.
“This is as close to a Georgia homecoming as you are going to get in Tennessee,” Davidson says (via Sounds Like Nashville). “The popularity and success of this event is so rewarding because it celebrates our homegrown talent and allows us to give back to deserving music education programs.”
The Peach Pickers have penned tracks for some of country music’s biggest names, including Luke Bryan (“I Don’t Want This Night to End”), Blake Shelton (“All About Tonight”) and Joe Nichols (“Gimmie That Girl”). All three members hail from Georgia and use their home state’s musical history as a big influence in their careers.
See Photos From the 2017 Georgia on My Mind Benefit Concert