CMT News

Newly worn underwear, a not-so-recently worn bra (from the "Jezebel" video), hat and boots ... These were just a few of the items auctioned Tuesday night (June 3) when a host of friends joined Chely Wright at Nashville's Wildhorse Saloon for her annual Reading, Writing & Rhythm concert and silent auction.

The crowd was treated to musical performances by Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Darryl Worley, Aaron Lines, Terri Clark, Rachel Proctor (writer of Martina McBride's "Where Would You Be") and Clay Walker before Wright took the stage shortly before midnight. Walker and Wright debuted "I Can't Sleep," a song they co-wrote that will be on Walker's CD scheduled for an August release.

Between performances, various pieces of clothing were offered for auction -- Clark's hat and boots, Evan Marriott's (Joe Millionaire) T-shirt and briefs, Worley's recently worn ACM awards-show shirt and Wright's bra worn in the "Jezebel" video.

Gill announced, "I'm 46 years old and 20 pounds overweight, and I'm not taking off anything for you." He accompanied wife Grant on three songs before launching into a three-song set of his own.

Non-clothing items were just as popular. Actor Verne Troyer, best known for his role in the Austin Powers film series, was on hand to personalize a Mini Me doll. Dinner with Wright fetched several thousand dollars.

Money raised at the sold-out event supports Wright's Reading, Writing & Rhythm Foundation that is dedicated to improving the quality of music education in public schools. Since it was established in 2000, the non-profit organization has donated guitars, studio pianos, band instruments and other equipment supplied to music programs from Washington to Kansas to West Virginia.