Despite the weather conditions at last year's Cattle Baron's Ball, the largest fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, it turned out to be the most successful live auction in the history of the ball. But this year, expectations are even higher.
At the announcement party for the 2013 Cattle Baron's Ball, attendees — including Cara French, Tanya Roberts, Aaron Shelby, Emily Klein, Jody Bare, Kristi Bare, Meredith Ford, Sunie and Steve Solomon, and Olivia and Jeff Kearney — gathered at Andrews Distributing headquarters to learn who would be the headliner for the fall fete.
With beer, bubbly and small bites courtesy of Eddie Deen in hand, all eyes were on NBC 5 news anchor Deborah Ferguson, who introduced co-chairs Brooke Shelby and Mary Gill and Mike McGuire, president of Andrews Distributing, lead sponsor for the upcoming ball.
"Who knew [last year] would be Larry Hagman's last ball? And who knew Blake Shelton could sing acoustic?" Ferguson asked. "This is a big year for the original Cattle Baron's Ball." She was referring, of course, to the 40th anniversary.
After Brooke and Gill thanked Andrews Distributing and reveal party chairs Brooke Hortenstine, Piper Wyatt and Kristi Bare, McGuire made the big announcement that Rascal Flatts will be the star entertainers at 2013 ball, themed "Spur on the Fight Against Cancer."
"We've been wanting to get the Rascal Flatts to perform for a number of years," Gill said. "They cover all the bases, from old country to new pop music."
Among the crowd of social Southern belles was Jacque Wynne, founder of the Cattle Baron's Ball and Rascal Flatts fan. "Stetson surprised the Baron's men with perfectly sized beaver hats, with their names inscribed inside," she said, reflecting on the first ball. "I've only missed one or two Cattle Baron's Balls since then."
When we asked her about the expectations for this year she said, "I have none. It'll be great. These women work very hard — and every year [the Cattle Baron's Ball] is fabulous."
