Jerry Seinfeld makes Nashville show a Tennessee flood relief benefit

Stand-up comic Jerry Seinfeld will donate all proceeds from his show in Nashville on Friday to flood relief efforts, the Tennessean reports.

The sold-out show wasn't planned as a special event -- it's been on the books since well before the Cumberland River crested,12 feet above flood stage, on May 3. Now, however, proceeds will go to  the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

“This is a tough time for a great city," Seinfeld said in a statement, adding that he was happy to help.

The latter charity will also benefit from a star-studded concert set for June, headed up by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Pop singer Ke$ha, who's from the area, has a benefit show set for June 16,

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Jerry Seinfeld, left, talks with New York Mets Manager Jerry Manuel during batting practice before a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla., in March. Credit: Richard Drew / Associated Press. 

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

Faith Hill, Tim McGraw enlist Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, more for 'Nashville Rising' concert

Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban rally in aftermath of Tennessee floods

Want the headlines? Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Twitter (we're @LATcelebs) or swing by our Facebook page and 'like' us right into your news feed.

Faith Hill, Tim McGraw enlist Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, many more for 'Nashville Rising' concert

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw are bringing some major names to the table for “Nashville Rising: A Benefit Concert For Flood Recovery," designed to help Tennessee flood victims -- many of whom are outside Nashville.

The event, to be held June 22 at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, so far will feature performances from Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, Lynyrd Skynrd, Brooks & Dunn, LeAnn Rimes, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Jason Aldean, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Luke Bryan.

"The damage that we’ve seen to people’s homes and the effect that the flooding has had on their lives is unimaginable," the two said in a statement on the "Nashville Rising" website. "But we’ve seen the spirit of our community first hand, as volunteers, church groups and our local business leaders rally to help. We all need to continue to support those in need in any way that we can." Money from the show will go to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Great American Country TV's blog has a great roundup of celebrity fund-raising efforts, including ...

Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban rally in aftermath of Tennessee floods

Country singer Kenny Chesney, who has a spread in Nashville, posted video of the aftermath of the Tennessee floods Thursday on YouTube and sought help for those affected by waters that rose after the devastating rainfall Sunday. Damage estimates top $1 billion, according to the Nashville Tennessean, and 30 people died in three states.

"This city is really hurting now," Chesney told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Thursday (the interview is after the jump). Flying home to check on his Nashville property, Chesney said, he couldn't believe what he saw from the air.

"You watch on the news and you see all this stuff happen around the world, but, you know, this has really had an effect on this town and on this state and it's a really tough thing for people to deal with, including me."

Taylor Swift donated $500,000 to Nashville flood-recovery efforts, it was announced Thursday night during "Working 4 You: Flood Relief With Vince Gill and Friends," a local telethon to benefit flood victims. [Updated, 8:28 a.m.: That effort raised more than $1.7 million, the Boot reports, including Gill and wife Amy Grant's $100,000. Larry Gatlin and Naomi Judd were among those manning the phones, Keith Urban performed on a borrowed guitar, having likely lost most of his to the floodwaters. Check out the Boot's report for many more names.]

"Being at home during the storm, I honestly could not believe what was happening to the city and the people I love so dearly," Swift told the Associated Press in an e-mail. "Nashville is my home, and ...