Lexington-born Christian musician plans benefit for Kentucky tornado relief

Following the devastating tornadoes that swept through Southeast Kentucky in May, one locally raised musician is stepping up to raise money for those in need.

Lexington-born, Nashville-based Christian country music singer Anne Wilson recently announced that she’d be hosting a benefit concert for tornado relief at the Corbin Arena on Aug. 11. All proceeds will benefit The Foundation For Appalachian Kentucky and The Sheppard Family Foundation, the latter of which is operated by London natives and former UK athletes Jeff, Stacey and Reed Sheppard.

The in-person and livestreamed concert will be Wilson’s first in Kentucky since last June when she headlined and recorded a live album inside the Lexington Opera House, but that’s not where her ties to the storm-ravaged area end. Wilson’s father is from nearby Barbourville, her late brother Jacob — who died in a car crash in 2017 — was born in London and her family owns a farm on the outskirts of Corbin. Although her family and friends were not directly impacted, Wilson says the disaster still hit close to home and left her reeling for those who were hurting.

“I live in Nashville and tornadoes are a regular threat there, but I’ve never experienced anything like that so close to my actual Kentucky home,” explains Wilson. “I remember watching terrified as the storms passed through the state and immediately knew I wanted to do something to give back. The next day my mom called and suggested I do a benefit show and I was instantly aboard with it. I thought it’d be a great opportunity to help the community I love in their time of need.”

The show will also be Wilson’s first time ever playing inside Corbin Arena but she attended many concerts there, including one by Casting Crowns, a band that she would tour with in 2022.. She says that the Aug. 11 show will be her first in the area since performing at a small church in Barbourville when her music career was just starting to take off in 2019.

“It’s cool because at that point I was just starting to work in the (music) industry,” says Wilson. “I’m excited to be coming back — it’s a true full circle moment.”

When Wilson returns she’ll also be doing it with new music in hand. After releasing the critically acclaimed “REBEL” last year, the artist is now building toward the release of her “God Story” EP dropping Aug. 1 and plans to perform many of the songs during the benefit. She also teased potential special guests during the concert, which she hopes will serve as a sliver of brightness during a dark period of time for folks who’ve had their lives turned upside down due to the catastrophe.

“It’s so important when things like this happen to rally around and be there for each other, even if you’re three hours away from the affected area like I was,” says Wilson. “Music, specifically Christian music, is such a joy in times like that. Getting to share my faith and give people a glimmer of hope that’s far greater than anything we can do on our own because it points to Jesus and a strength that can only come from him is something I’m really excited about.

Music was so impactful when I lost my brother in helping me heal, so my hope is that my songs can do the same for anyone still suffering who attends or tunes into this show.”

Anne Wilson Concert At Corbin Arena

When: Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.

Where: 500 Arena Dr, Corbin

Tickets: From $43.55 via TicketMaster

Livestream: veeps.com/annewilson/, $9.99-$19.99