Lady Antebellum, Urban for Alabama benefit show

Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw and Keith Urban are to perform at a special benefit concert being organised to raise funds for the victims of the recent Alabama tornado.

The tornado killed more than 300 people last week and damaged many communities in the Southern US states, including killing 236 people in Alabama.

Second generation country star Hank Williams Jr has now partnered with CMT to hold a televised benefit gig with the proceeds from pledges going to American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Joining McGraw and Urban at the Nashville gig will be Ronnie Dunn and Sara Evans. Additional performers will be announced soon.

The show will also feature a reunion for the legendary band Alabama, who named themselves after the state because it was the site of their regrouping after a brief split in the early 1970s.

Speaking to The AP, Williams admits he has lofty goals for the amount of money he hopes to bring in.

"I don't want to raise $50,000 (£30,476)," he insisted. "I want to raise a lot of money. And I want people who are motivated to be part of it as we try to help these devastated folks."

The benefit show will air from Nashville on May 12 at 9/8c on CMT and be simulcast on CMT.com.

Earlier this week, Charlie Sheen launched a charitable website to aid those affected by the Alabama tornado and has also promised to host his own charity show in the state.