Nicole Kidman works the phones for Tennessee flood relief

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While hubby Keith Urban was onstage Sunday at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium with a host of music stars, Oscar winner Nicole Kidman was among those working the phones, helping raise at least $1.7 million for Tennessee flood relief. ‘Music City Keep on Playin’ -- A Benefit for Flood Relief’ was kicked off by Brad Paisley, and the roster included Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Sheryl Crow, Keb’ Mo’, CeCe Winans, Kellie Pickler and Martina McBride, among others. Will Hoge closed with a Hurricane Katrina-themed tune, ‘Washed by the Water.’

‘I was driving down Highway 100 and I saw houses standing there and everything that made them a home in the front yard,’ Bentley said before joining Paisley onstage. ‘And I think seeing the Grand Ole Opry House under water gave the flood a face.’

If you’re the type who likes to keep track of who donated and how much, check out the report from the Tennessean, which has plenty of details, among them the fact that Jack Daniel’s Distillery, out of Lynchburg, Tenn., was among those in the $100,000-donor club.

It wasn’t only musicians sharing their experiences, the Tennessean said -- among others, a local vet talked about losing some of the animals in her care at the time. As ‘Desperate Housewives’ star and cohost James Denton, a Nashville native, said in closing: ‘We’re not asking for a bailout; we’ve been bailing out for two weeks. We’re just asking for your help.’

The show aired nationally on Great American Country (GAC); donations are still being taken through the network’s website.

-- Christie D’Zurilla

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

Jerry Seinfeld makes Nashville show a Tennessee flood relief benefit

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

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