David Nail

Chicago Bears Recruit Keith Anderson and David Nail

By Alison Bonaguro
October 29th, 2009

Country music and professional sports are hopelessly intertwined. Country stars go to the games, athletes show up at their concerts, and then those stars go to even more games. It's like a never-ending circle of mutual admiration.

And on Nov. 13, it gets even better for Chicago. Greg Olsen, the Chicago Bears' tight end, is hosting a Shake the Lake country concert to benefit breast cancer, brain cancer and Children's Memorial Hospital. Keith Anderson and David Nail will both be on hand to entertain and raise a little cash.

But why would two guys from Nashville come up to support the Bears? "My lead guitar player grew up in Chicago, and I just kind of took up his passion," Anderson told me. "We didn't have a pro football team when I was growing up in Oklahoma, so I had to pick Steelers or Cowboys. I'm a Steelers fan, but now I'm a Bears fan all the way. And Greg Olsen's the best tight end in the league." Noting that he's also looking forward to seeing Nail's show, Anderson said, "I was blown away when I saw his live show. He's got one of my favorite voices in country right now." Even Nail said, "I'm excited to share the stage with Keith Anderson and to support the work that Greg does."

To up the ante even more, country fans can bid on an autographed guitar from Sugarland, and football fans can bid on Chicago Bear Jay Cutler's pink cleats. Cutler will be at the event, too, for all those quarterback lovers out there.

Olsen himself is a huge fan of country music, so after his mom fought and won her battle with breast cancer, it seemed only natural for him to stage an event like this. "I have always been fond of Keith's music, and I am excited to see him live," Olsen told me. "I have gotten to know David pretty well over the past couple of months. I love his music and feel like he is getting ready to explode. Being able to combine country music with my passion for breast cancer research is truly a dream come true." Proceeds will benefit the Greg Olsen Foundation -- Receptions for Research.