**Jan. 22, 2020 Update: The Brad Paisley Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament, scheduled for Feb. 20 at Belmont University’s Curb Event Center, has been postponed and a new date will be announced at a later time.
The inaugural Brad Paisley’s Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament was announced today as a fundraiser for The Store, a new nonprofit free grocery store Brad and his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley are starting in association with Brad’s alma mater, Belmont University. The eight-team National Dodgeball League (NDL)-officiated tournament will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Thurs., Feb. 20, 2020 in Belmont’s Curb Event Center. In addition to the “epic” live tournament, the evening will feature musical performances from Brad and friends as well as a number of surprises.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. this Friday, December 6. (Click here for general sales ticket link.) A limited number of VIP event tickets are available for $250, with general admission tickets available for $50. Event sponsors and celebrity players will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Store, which is in the final stages of a capital campaign to support the building’s construction, is scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of 2020. The Store will operate as a free-referral based grocery store, allowing people in need to shop with dignity for their basic needs. It aims to empower individuals seeking self-sufficiency. Funds raised from the Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament will be applied to The Store’s annual operating budget.
Located at 2009 12th Ave. South next to Belmont University’s Ministry Center, The Store will also partner with Belmont students and faculty to provide local, low income families support through nutritional and pharmacy education, health screenings, legal aid clinics, mental health counseling and music therapy.
Today’s announcement of Brad Paisley’s Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament arrives just before the country music superstar’s hour-long, prime-time special “Brad Paisley Thinks He’s Special,” airing on ABC tomorrow, December 3 at 8 p.m. Eastern|7 p.m. Central.
Brad Paisley is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer whose talents have earned him numerous awards, including three GRAMMYs, two American Music Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), among many others. He has been a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001. Paisley has written 21 of his 24 #1 hits and has accumulated over 20 million career total worldwide album sales, track downloads and streaming equivalents. Paisley’s 2019 World Tour ended in October with eight sold-out shows in Europe and he now holds the record for a headlining country artist in all of the European venues played on this tour. Paisley is involved with a successful ongoing multi-year ad campaign with NationwideÒ Insurance, along with Peyton Manning. Paisley has partnered with Boot Barn® and developed an exclusive line of jeans, hats, T-shirts, jewelry, belts and woven shirts called Moonshine Spirit by Brad Paisley. Connect with Brad at www.BradPaisley.com, www.Facebook.com/BradPaisley, on Twitter @BradPaisley, on Instagram @Brad Paisley, and YouTube at YouTube.com/BradPaisley.
About The Store
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley have partnered with Belmont University to spearhead The Store, a year-round free grocery store allowing people to shop with dignity for their basic needs. Individuals and families will be referred by nonprofit and government agencies for a term of one year. There is no charge to those referred or to the people and agencies that send them. They may shop for food to supplement their income during times of crisis and as they work toward self-sufficiency.
A philosophy of community empowerment means The Store aims to solve hunger issues in its community by developing programs to meet the needs of the community, including partnering with other organizations on issues of food security. The Store believes in cooperation and collaboration between organizations to better serve the population. Over time, the organization plans to develop additional supplemental services beyond the grocery store, such as job training, cooking and nutrition classes. For more information, visit www.thestore.org.
About Belmont University
Belmont University—home of the October 22, 2020 Presidential Debate, the third and final in the election season—is made up of nearly 8,500 students who come from every state and more than 36 countries. Nationally ranked and consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report for its innovation and commitment to teaching, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The University’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. With more than 95 areas of undergraduate study, more than 25 master’s programs and five doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual’s horizon. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.
