BRELAND brings pop, country hitmakers to Ryman stage for annual benefit concert

The third edition of BRELAND's annual "BRELAND and Friends" charity concert was, on many levels, the best edition yet.

Continuing in the vein of 2022 and 2023's events, it welcomed the best of a who's who of mainstream pop culture stars and viral country sensations to the Ryman Auditorium's legendary stage.

However, unlike other years, the festivities felt more like a variety show than a crush of (possibly for many) faceless digitally renowned artists being presented.

As in previous years, the event raised over $140,000 to support Nashville's Oasis Center. The Middle Tennessee-based at-risk youth center offers 20+ programs and services (including crisis intervention, youth leadership, community engagement, college and career access) that foster the organization's core principles of safety, belonging, empowerment and generosity in local youth.

Viral stars shine

Tanner Adell and Walker Hayes—two performers at varying ends of the streaming-to-superstar spectrum—were the night's highlight artists.

Adell -- whose well-known Beyonce fandom and viral hits like "Buckle Bunny" have caused her to explode in TikTok and Instagram popularity -- appeared to perform BRELAND's 2020-released and similarly viral-to-real-time successful single "My Truck."

The moment was notable as it represented, five years later, the sharing of a still-bright torch for young, Black creativity in country music.

Insofar as Hayes, he performed his recent hits "AA" and ubiquitous rap-meets-country track "Fancy Like."

Both received a standing ovation, cementing them as fundamental hits of country music's recent history for a younger and/or new-to-country demographic introduced to the genre through BRELAND's renown.

Duets dominate the evening

Other noteworthy evening duets highlighted the flexibility of BRELAND's original music songbook and the importance of duets in the past decade to break top songwriters aiming for country renown.

Alongside performing "My Truck" with Adell, he performed a show-stopping mini-set of songs with the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, and Grammy-nominated vocalists The War and Treaty that received a prolonged standing ovation. Also, he played his early creations "County Line" alongside Quinn XCII, plus Cowboy Don't" with Universal-signed artist Dalton Dover. A cover of Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's "Islands in the Stream," which was initially recorded as a duet between ERNEST and Hailey Whitters, appeared instead as a pairing between the latter -- 2023's Best New Female Artist as awarded by the Academy of Country Music -- and BRELAND.

Plus, "Beers on Me," BRELAND's 2022 country radio chart-topping pairing with Dierks Bentley and HARDY, appeared instead as a duet with country performer Matt Stell.

Also notable is BRELAND's father, Gerard Breland—a well-regarded gospel performer in his own right—being moved to tears after joining his son for "Old Man." This occurred alongside an appearance by Josh Groban for "Real Men Don't Cry" and "High Horse," featuring its original track guest and hip-hop icon, Nelly.

BRELAND also sang his new soulful pop track "Heartbreak & Alcohol" and his gold-certified 2022 single "Throw It Back."

R&B favorite Anthony Hamilton joined appearances by country artists Avery Anna, Caitlyn Smith, Chase Rice, Drake White and Dylan Marlowe in rounding out the evening.

For more information on the Oasis Center, visit http://www.oasiscenter.org.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: BRELAND brings pop, country hitmakers to Ryman stage for annual benefit concert