, Country Fan Fair Draws Record Crowd During the show, CMA Executive Vice- an appearance on this year’s 2V2-hour President, Irving Waugh, was presented show were Minnie Pearl, Governor Jimmie Shows with the Third Annual Tex Ritter Memorial Davis, and Merle Travis. NASHVILLE — Nashville's Fifth Annual In- The week's line-up of live performances Award. Ben Smathers coordinated production ternational Country Music Fan Fair, held began on June 9th with a four-hour Throughout the remainder of the week, of the entertainment, along with Jimmy June 7th through the 13th, reported a bluegrass concert at the Minicipal fans attended live shows produced by the Gately and Harold Morrison. Fred Carter, crowd of 12,600 record breaking individual Jr., the musical director and the Jor- Auditorium featuring Bill Monroe and The record companies and music in- was registrants who enjoyed a wide variety of in- bluegrass concert at the Municipal dustry organizations. danaires provided vocal backgrounds. door and outdoor events, which included: a Nashville Grass, and others. Country music reunion Another highlight to the afternoon was a free celebrity softball tournament, a four- Show Time More than 8,000 fans nearly packed the special guest appearance by Chet Atkins, hour bluegrass concert, more than 25 The International Fan Club Organization, Municipal Auditorium for CMA's Country when he paid a special tribute to Johnny as presented by hours of live entertainment Reunion on Saturday after- and Jack and Kitty Wells. (I FCO) held their dinner and on Music Show organiza- show Wed- record labels and music industry Prior to the afternoon show, more than nesday evening, June 9th. The event was noon. tions, live country music tent shows during co-hosted by Ralph Emery and Charlie Grant Turner was the Master of 90 reunionaires and their families and lunch breaks, a grand masters fiddlin' con- Douglas, and featured the Buck Owens Ceremonies with co-hosts John Lair, Ram- friends attended a brunch in their honor at test. picture taking and autograph sessions the Country Music Hall of Fame as hosted Show, Loretta Lynn, Bill Anderson, Ronnie blin' Lou Schriver, and the Duke of with country artists and songwriters in the Milsap, Mickey Gilley and others. Paducah. Among the 28 pioneers making by the Country Music Foundation. Im- exhibition area dominated by fan club mediately following the show, the the Country booths, as well as visits to reunionaires had supper together at the Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry Municipal Auditorium, and later attended and Opryland. the 6:30 performance of the Grand Ole Celebrity Softball Tourney Opry. The third annual Fan Fair Celebrity Softball Tournament was held on Monday, Fiddlin’ Contest June 7th at Nashville's Two Rivers Park. The Theater By the Lake at Opryland was There were 17 teams in the men’s division, the setting for the Grand Master's Fiddlin’ and four teams in the women’s division. Contest. This year's winner was Terry Joe The finals took place on June 8th, with Morris of Hurst, Texas, who took home the Ray Griff's Rays of Sunshine defeating the top prize of $1,000. Cash prizes were also Nashville Pickers 9-8 in extra inning play. awarded the other contestants placing in The Mary Reeves' Reev-ettes took the the top ten. Fans were entertained by such women's title with a 22-6 win over the Po’ artists as: Porter Waggoner, Johnny Gim- Girls. Dave Rowland of the group "Dave ble, Roy Acuff and Marty Robbins. and Sugar” was voted the men’s division A special segment of the program was a Most Valuable Player. Country artist, Wilma tribute to Roy Acuff by a group of Nashville Burgess, was voted the women's division string players conducted by Bill McElhiney. Most Valuable Player. Roy himself, now recovering from a heart Fans in attendance received record attack, stepped on stage to acknowledge albums and autographed softballs the tribute. throughout the two-day event. On T uesday THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR — ABC/Dot recording artist Barbara Mandrell had Next year's Fan Fair is scheduled to take afternoon, Nashville songwriter and artist, plenty of friends wishing her well at her recent appearance at North Hollywood's place on June 8th through the 12th, Frank Knapp, entertained the fans and Palomino Club. Pictured (left to right) are (back row) Barbara's band, the Do-Rites preceded once again by a celebrity slow- players alike in high style by making a spec- and her father and manager, Irby Mandrell, and (front row) Hal Voergler, vice- pitch softball tournament. Fan Fair is co- tacular 8,000 foot free-fall parachute jump president of ABC's publishing division; Barbara; and Ira Selsky, assistant general at- sponsored by CMA and the Grand Ole into the park. torney for ABC records. Opry. OVER^ MILLION SOLD FIRST 2 WEEKS!!! SD-142 RED SOVINE EXCLUSIVELY ON STARDAY RECORDS & TAPES IF YOU’VE GOT II DEMIT- Sales: Promotion: Lee Trimble/Jenell Holland Charlie Diek/Ken Rollins 615 256-1656 ( 615 ) 256-1656 YOITLL HEAR THIS RECORD!! ( ) 35 Cash Box/June 26, 1 976.