Televised tornado relief concert raises $6M

[May 31, 2013]  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Organizers of a televised benefit concert say they raised more than $6 million in pledges and ticket sales to help people in Oklahoma trying to recover after a deadly tornado last week.

A spokeswoman for the United Way of Central Oklahoma reported the updated figures Thursday after the "Healing in the Heartland: Relief Benefit Concert" hosted by Blake Shelton and televised live on NBC.

Several country music stars with Oklahoma ties performed during the Wednesday night concert in downtown Oklahoma City. The included Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire and Rascal Flatts. Other performers included Usher, Darius Rucker and Luke Bryan.

The money goes directly to the United Way of Central Oklahoma. It will distribute funding to agencies helping those affected by the May 20 tornado.

[Associated Press]

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