Last night (Feb. 28), some of country's biggest stars gathered in downtown Nashville to raise money for a great cause. The T.J. Martell Foundation's ninth annual Nashville Honors Gala, held at the Omni Hotel, raised $535,000 to benefit leukemia, cancer and AIDS research. Along with fundraising efforts, five honorees were presented with awards for their inspiring efforts in the community.
Check out Wide Open Country's exclusive photos from the red carpet below.
![George Strait and Charlie Daniels](https://www.wideopencountry.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/02/a1.jpg?resize=600%2C400)
George Strait, Louis Messina and Charlie Daniels
![Kelsea Ballerini](https://www.wideopencountry.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/02/a7-1.jpg?resize=600%2C400)
Kelsea Ballerini
![Montgomery Gentry](https://www.wideopencountry.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/02/a4.jpg?resize=600%2C400)
Montgomery Gentry
![Charles Esten](https://www.wideopencountry.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/02/a6-1.jpg?resize=600%2C420)
Charles Esten
![Frankie Ballard](https://www.wideopencountry.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/02/a8.jpg?resize=600%2C400)
Frankie Ballard
![Rod Essig and Nashville Mayor Megan Barry](https://www.wideopencountry.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/02/a3-1.jpg?resize=600%2C400)
Rod Essig and Nashville Mayor Megan Barry
![Scott and Tracie Hamilton](https://www.wideopencountry.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/02/a2-1.jpg?resize=600%2C400)
Scott and Tracie Hamilton
![Jeanne Mason and Tommy Shaw](https://www.wideopencountry.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/02/a5.jpg?resize=600%2C400)
Jeanne Mason and Tommy Shaw
All photos by Lorie Liebig.
Click here for more information on the T.J. Martell Foundation and their ongoing efforts to advance leukemia, cancer and AIDS research.