NORMAN, OKLA. – Some of country music's biggest stars, including Garth Brooks, Toby Keith and many others with ties to Oklahoma, played a sold-out show Saturday at the University of Oklahoma to raise money for the victims of the tornadoes that devastated parts of the state in May.

Organizers of the concert, which was held in the school's Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, estimated that nearly 65,000 people braved the searing heat to watch the show, according to the Tulsa World.

The concert, which was organized by Keith, also included performances by Willie Nelson, Sammy Hagar and Mel Tellis.

Brooks took to the stage to a rousing ovation. "Today the healing begins," he said.

His wife, Trisha Yearwood, joined him for a duet.

The money raised from ticket sales benefits the United Way of Central Oklahoma, which established a fund to aid victims of the May storms that killed dozens of people.

Sheryl Crow performs in the infield prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, July 6, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

A separate benefit concert last month hosted by Oklahoma native country music star Blake Shelton raised more than $6 million in donations and pledges.

SHERYL CROW and DWIGHT YOAKAM AT THE FAIR: Sheryl Crow must have a thing for Minnesota. She will perform Aug. 25 at the Minnesota State Fair grandstand — her third Twin Cities appearance in nine weeks. She sang at Mystic Lake Casino on June 28 and will make a cameo appearance at Macy's Glamorama fashion show on Aug. 2 at the Orpheum Theatre. Then she'll be back at the State Fair, with country maverick Dwight Yoakam as her opening act. Tickets for her State Fair show, priced at $39, will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at etix.com, 1-800-514-3849, and the State Fair box office. The fair also announced that edgy country star Brantley Gilbert will open for country superstar Tim McGraw on Sept. 2 at the grandstand.

Jon Bream and Associated Press