PHOTOS: Brantley Gilbert, Danae Hays, HARDY, & More Go To Bat For Military Families At Sold-Out Rock ‘N Jock Celebrity Softball Game

The star-studded event raised $221,000 for Folds of Honor Tennessee.

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Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

June 15, 2023

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7:11 pm

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Brantley Gilbert, Danae Hays, HARDY; Photos by Andrew Wendowski

Nashville’s hottest musicians, professional athletes, comedians, and influencers recently together for a good cause: the 3rd Annual Rock ‘N Jock Celebrity Softball Game benefiting Folds of Honor Tennessee.

The event took place on Monday, June 5 at the Nashville Sounds’ First Horizon Park and drew a sold-out crowd of over 6,000 spectators. A total of $221,000 was raised for Folds of Honor Tennessee.

Team Military (captained by Jelly Roll) took home the win over Team First Responders (captained by Riley Green) with a score of 14 to 8. Team Military, also known as “The Comeback Kids,” secured their win with an impressive six-run inning late in the game.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Eric Cattaneo was named Offensive MVP and Defensive MVP was awarded to Danae Hays.

Photo by Andrew Wendowski
3rd Annual Rock ‘N Jock Celebrity Softball Game; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Fans had the opportunity to see their favorite artists and celebrities on the field going to bat for a good cause. It was the perfect way to kick off a busy week in Nashville as it took place just days before the official beginning of CMA Fest.

@countrynow.com @Jelly Roll ♬ Take Me Out to the Ball Game

The players were eager to take part in the game as it’s a great way to give back to military families.

“My husband is a Green Beret and so is my brother and my brother-in-law. And so to be a part of this is just, it’s a full circle moment for me,” RaeLynn shared ahead of the game. “And the one thing that I love about Folds of Honor is it helps the families of fallen soldiers and that’s what makes this organization so unique. It’s important to take care of those who have taken care of us. I get emotional when I talk about it because we are all so blessed and we live in such an amazing country and so I’m proud of this organization and they do so many great things.”

Mitchell Tenpenny, who also participated in the game in 2022, said he was honored to give back to those who give so much.
“I mean, anything we can do for our military, obviously it’s the reason we get to come out here and goof around and play some baseball,” he pointed out. The sacrifices they make…My granddad was in the Air Force, come from a military family like that. So just the respect I have the utmost respect for ’em. I’ve seen it firsthand. I’ve seen what they’ve done and anything we can do for military and Folds Of Honor, we’re a part of it.”

Jenner Kreifels, executive director Fold of Honor Tennessee, shared, “Our team feels blessed beyond measure with the growth of the Rock ‘N Jock Celebrity Softball Challenge. In just 3 years we’ve gone from a crowd of about 1,500 to a sellout, over 6,000 fans attending Monday night’s game; we’re speechless! Our hearts are humbled by the support of all the sponsors, celebrities, fans and volunteers to uplift the Folds of Honor mission. Over 44 life-changing scholarships were raised for deserving military and first responder families!”

Jelly Roll; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Jelly Roll; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Matt Frauenshuh, president of Folds of Honor Tennessee, added, “Rock ‘N Jock Celebrity Softball grew tremendously this year in return helping our team raise over 44 scholarships for deserving military and first responder families. Echoing Jenner’s sentiments, thank you to all the celebrities, fans, sponsors, board members, and volunteers that made Monday night possible and a great success.”

3rd Annual Rock ‘N Jock Celebrity Softball Game Participants

Riley Green
Jelly Roll
Will Compton
Brantley Gilbert
Brian Littrell
Jameson Rodgers
Michael Chandler
Eric Cattaneo
Taylor Lewan
Hardy
Chris Lane
Shawn Booth
Michael Collazo
Missy Franklin
Chuck Wicks
Julia Cole
Cortland Finnegan
Raelynn
John Crist
Struggle Jennings
Charles Esten
Jerry Stackhouse
Courtney Harvey
Warren Zeiders
Jason Crabb
Lunchbox, Scuba Steve and Morgan from The Bobby Bones Show

Chris Lane, Brian Littrell; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Chris Lane, Brian Littrell; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

ABOUT FOLDS OF HONOR:

It began with Lt Col Dan Rooney’s flight home from his second tour of duty in Iraq. An F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, he became painfully aware of the realities families face when a loved one in uniform is fallen or disabled.

As his flight landed, the pilot announced they carried the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin on board. Lt Col Rooney watched as Corporal Bucklin’s twin brother walked somberly alongside the flag-covered casket to meet his family on the tarmac. Among them was the deceased Corporal’s young son, Jacob.

Since that night, Lt Col Rooney has committed his life to rallying patriotic Americans and meeting sacrifice with hope through the Folds of Honor. Since 2007, we’ve provided life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military. And now, our mission expands to the families of America’s first responders. On our watch, those who protect our freedoms and our families will know they are not forgotten.

The Rock ‘N Jock Celebrity Softball game is just one of many fundraising events that Folds of Honor hosts throughout the year in efforts to support their mission of raising funds for scholarship fulfillments. Those who wish to donate to Folds Of Honor, can click HERE.

Jockey International, Inc. Jockey as the 2023 3rd Annual Rock ‘N Jock Celebrity Softball Game title partner.

Andrew East, Shawn Johnson; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Andrew East, Shawn Johnson; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
ERNEST; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
ERNEST; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
RaeLynn; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
RaeLynn; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Chuck Wicks, Kasi, Tucker; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Chuck Wicks, Kasi, Tucker; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Struggle Jennings; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Struggle Jennings; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Chris Lane; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Chris Lane; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Julia Cole; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Julia Cole; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Charles Esten; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Charles Esten; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Jameson Rodgers; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Jameson Rodgers; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Brian Littrell, Danae Hays; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Brian Littrell, Danae Hays; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Riley Green; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Riley Green; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
HARDY: Photo by Andrew Wendowski
HARDY: Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Chuck Wicks, Jelly Roll, Jason Crabb; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Chuck Wicks, Jelly Roll, Jason Crabb; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.