Old Dominion’s Historic Ryman Residency Hits Halfway Mark, Raising Over $1 Million for Charity

When a band sets out to celebrate a record-breaking achievement, the challenge is often making the moment as meaningful as the milestone itself. For Old Dominion, the seven-time Country Music Association Group of the Year, the answer was clear: combine their love of performing, their respect for country music history, and their dedication to philanthropy.

Photo Credit: Mason Allen

With their ambitious seven-show residency at the Ryman Auditorium, the chart-topping band not only brought their signature sound to the Mother Church of Country Music but also raised well over $1 million for charities close to their hearts—including MusiCares, Save The Music, Backline Care, the Opry Trust Fund, the CMA Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and The Ramsey Foundation.

A Celebration Beyond the Music

“It’s not enough to feel good,” Matthew Ramsey shared in a press release, “when you can also do something good. We’ve been so blessed and are so fortunate. When we started thinking about how to acknowledge winning Group seven consecutive times, it seemed like trying to give those charities who’ve been part of our ride a lift was only right.

Setting a goal of raising $100,000 for each organization, the band—Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi, Geoff Sprung, and Whit Sellers—surpassed expectations before even reaching the halfway point of their run. Standing before a packed house on Wednesday night, they announced that the total had already exceeded $1 million, with donations still rolling in.

A Star-Studded Affair

Beyond the charitable impact, Old Dominion’s Ryman residency has become a must-see event, attracting an all-star lineup of friends and collaborators. The energy on stage Wednesday was electric, with surprise appearances from country icons and longtime allies.

Kenny Chesney joined the band for a special performance of “Save It For A Rainy Day,” a six-week No. 1 hit co-written by Ramsey, Tursi, and the late Andrew Dorff. As the crowd erupted in applause, it was a reminder of the song’s enduring impact and the deep camaraderie between the artists.

The night’s magic continued as Brothers Osborne—multiple CMA Duo of the Year winners—took the stage to perform their rowdy anthem “Rum,” igniting a singalong that had the entire Ryman on their feet. Earlier in the run, other heavy hitters like Phil Vassar, Bear Rinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE, Lady A’s Charles Kelley, and Steven Wilson Jr. had already graced the historic stage, adding to the event’s legendary status.

A Homecoming Like No Other

For Old Dominion, the Ryman holds a special significance. Selling out the venue for the first time in 2018, the band has long considered the storied church a touchstone in their career. This residency, coming after a year of headlining major festivals and working on

new music, felt like the ultimate homecoming.

“We have so many people to thank,” Ramsey says. “But even better is we have so many people to celebrate and share this with. We knew it would be a blast, and we hoped we’d help our favorite charities. But man, this is more than we could’ve ever expected.

With more shows still to come, Old Dominion’s Ryman run is shaping up to be one of the most memorable moments of their career—not just for the music, but for the lasting impact it’s leaving beyond the stage.