The highlight of the evening was Chicago Cubs World Series Champion Pitcher Travis Wood of Bryant, AR joining Gold and Platinum multi-hit-maker country artist Justin Moore of Poyen, AR on stage. At this same event in 2016, Moore had a new album out and *someone* in the audience yelled out a request for the band to do their then-new song. They had to stumble through it then because it was brand new and then the person said they were disappointed. Tonight, Wood admitted he was that person that did the request, then he joined Moore to help him sing the song.
In a room of nearly 900 people Tuesday night, it was still an intimate performance for country music superstar Justin Moore, who regularly fills arenas around the nation. Moore has given his time five years in a row to help the Boys & Girls Club of Saline County in Benton. This year, he brought two guitarists from his band, and the three gave Saline County a great show. He played some from the new album and some older hits too.
The evening also included opening band Just Sayin’, David Bazzel as the Master of Ceremonies, Blackmon Auctions as the auctioneer for the big-package items, catfish dinner from Riverside Grocery and Catering, desserts and beverages from Gina’s Catering, and a host of nice silent auction items. The event raised over $100,000 for the Club and over $500,000 for the last five years.
[Scroll down for photo gallery and more videos]
Moore has had seven #1 hits and now has had two platinum-selling albums and one gold-selling album. He’s won two awards from Inspirational Country Music Awards, one with Academy of Country Music Award, and was nominated for another with the American Country Awards. Yet here’s a guy that is as humble as they come, according to his fans. When I was asking around to see who might want to go to the show with me, the stories and photos began to emerge. One person saw him at a store, another saw him at a diner, and more places around town. They all said he was very friendly and glad to take pictures with his fans. That right there is a “Small Town USA” upbringing.
Thanks, Justin, for giving back to your local community in so many ways.
See the photo gallery and more videos below. Click on any picture to enlarge it.
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- Around 900 people attended this event.
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- Do you see yourself in the crowd?
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- David Bazzell (r.) of 103.7 The Buzz, talks to Justin Moore before the show begins.
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- Silent auction items
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- Michael & Kim Shipp
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- Opening band, Just Sayin’
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- Catfish dinner by Riverside Grocery & Catering, dessert & beverages by Gina’s Catering.
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- Shelli Poole (l.) and Michelle Carter show off souvenir lanyards and silent auction bidding numbers
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- Poole with Jasen Kelly, Club Director
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- (l. to r.) Doug Robinson, Gary & Renee James, Brian Larson
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- (l. to r.) County Judge Jeff Arey, State Rep. Kim Hammer
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- Labradoodle puppy was part of the auction
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- (l. to r.) Sheriff Rodney Wright, State Rep. Lanny Fite
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- World Series Champ Travis Wood with wife Brittany
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- Joni Sutton and son Brandon Sutton
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- Bazzel begins the show
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- Children at the Club made souvenirs for concert-goers
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- Someone got a big package at the end of the big auction
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- Thanks to everyone who participated
