Louise Mandrell Celebrity Shoot brought out big stars to benefit Boy Scouts of America.

The tallies are in: 85,000 shotaun shells and clay targets used - 300 pound of chicken consumed - and a five year tally exceeding $800.000 equals total success!!!!

More than campfires were burning when 70 celebrities of country music, television, film, and sports joined forces in Nashville to compete in the Fifth Annual Louise Mandrell Celebrity Shoot to raise money for the Boy Scouts of America. The competition, held at the Nashville Gun Club took place on September 18-19, 1998, included trap, 5-stand, and sporting clays.

"I never dreamed that in five years this event would raise over $800,000. The money is being used for our youth, and that makes it worth all the time I devote!" exclaims Louise Mandrell.

Participants included: Robert Urich (Love Boat), Leslie Easterbrook (Police Academy), Lu Parker (Miss USA 1994), Kimberlin Brown (Bold and the Beautiful), Ron Moss (Bold and the Beautiful), Barbara Mandrell, Irlene Mandrell, Jess Walton (Young and the Restless), among others. The awards banquet was filled with great entertainment from Alabama, Michael Peterson, Dick Hardwick, Shane McAnally, the Wilkinsons and Louise Mandrell.

Competition is friendly and fair according to Executive Director, Sande Weiss, "We put together beginners with experienced competitors...the experienced ones get a joy out of helping someone new and the beginners get a kick out of hitting their first target."

Shirley Meyers and Janie Fricke pose with the Nashville Predators mascot after singing the National Anthem prior to the Nashville Predators vs. Calgary Flames hockey game.

Shirley Meyers, Canadian country sensation, sang the Canadian anthem and two-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Janie Fricke sang the US anthem on October 23 at the Nashville Arena.

28th Annual International Country Music Fan Fair Boasts Expanded Exhibit Hall Schedule

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Attendees of the 28th International Country Music Fan Fair will be given an extra opportunity to mingle with their favorite artists during the week-long event set for June 14-19 in Nashville, Tenn. when for the first time, the exhibit halls will open on Monday. Most Fan Fair activities will take place at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, but registrants will also have to the opportunity to visit other area attractions.

Previously, Fan Fair exhibit halls have operated Tuesday through Thursday with limited hours on Friday. However, this year in response to a review of Fan Fair registrant and participant requests, the decision was made to expand the schedule to include a full day of operation on Monday instead of a half day on Friday. Some of the artists who have applied for exhibit hall booths include Diamond Rio, Joe Diffie, Wade Hayes, Sammy Kershaw, John Michael Montgomery, Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis, Aaron Tippin and Steve Wariner.

In addition to the expanded exhibit hall hours on Monday, the Fan Fair opening ceremony at 9:45 a.m. will kick off a full day of artist performances. Among the shows scheduled for Monday are Asylum Records, DreamWorks Nashville Records, Platinum, Rounder Records and the ever-popular Bluegrass Show scheduled on Monday evening. Exact timeslots for Monday's label showcases have not been determined.

The registration fee for 1999's Fan Fair remains the same for the third year in a row at $90, which includes over 30 hours of live stage shows featuring top Country artists; admission to the exhibit halls where artists sign autographs; two meals prepared on-site by the world famous Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang from Odessa, Texas, plus admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the historic Ryman Auditorium and discounts to other tourist attractions.

Fans may register to attend Fan Fair through the Grand Ole Opry. For ticket information, contact the Fan Fair office at 615/889-7503, or write Fan Fair, 2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214. Registration information can also be found online at www.fanfair.com <

In addition to the regularly scheduled Fan Fair week activities, the ``TNN/Music City News Awards'' will take place on Monday, June 14 from 7 - 9:30 p.m. at the Nashville Arena. Ticket information may be obtained by calling Ticketmaster at 615/255-9600.

Net proceeds from Fan Fair go into a special fund used by CMA to advance the growth and popularity of Country Music. The first Fan Fair was held in 1972. The event regularly attracts more than 600 media representatives from around the world.

Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association was the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. More than 6,800 music industry professionals and companies from 43 countries around the world are members of CMA. The organization's objectives are to guide and enhance the growth of Country Music and to demonstrate it as a viable medium to advertisers, consumers and media throughout the world. CMA is headquartered in Nashville with offices/representatives in London, Cologne, Sydney and Amsterdam.

The Grand Ole Opry will celebrate its 74th anniversary in 1999 as the longest-running radio show in history. Its cast includes some of today's greatest Country Music stars and over the years has included many of Country Music's legends. Still broadcast on clear channel WSM-AM, the Grand Ole Orpy is part of Gaylord Entertainment Company, publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

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