Alabama Outdoor News-Country Goes Huntin’ a Big Hit in Dothan
5/21/2008
The wiregrass country hosted some of the biggest names in country music and the hunting industry two weeks ago during the Country Goes Huntin’ event.
The annual event brings country-music artists to the Dothan area for four days of turkey hunting, and they are guided in the turkey woods by hunting personalities.
After the final day of hunting April 9, the country artists put on an acoustic concert at the Dothan Civic Center. Money from ticket sales, plus proceeds from online and silent auctions, will be divided among all the participating country artists and hunting pros who get to choose which charities and conservation organizations they donate to.
The turkey hunting took place in southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia, and according to hunting pro Tim Knight, the birds cooperated.
“I think a total of 14 gobblers were killed, including a really special brown-phase eastern taken by Lorrie Morgan,” Tim said.
Country artists who attended this year’s event included Rhett Akins, Abby, Jeff Bates, Chad Brock, Aly Cutter, Dallas Davidson, Scotty Emerick, Tyler Farr, Teddy Gentry, Andy Griggs, Craig Hand, Buddy Jewell, Jamey Johnson, Lo Cash Cowboys, Daniel Lee Martin, Lorrie Morgan, Bobby Pinson, Ray Scott and Daryle Singletary.
Hunting professionals included Jeff Banks, Shane Berry, Ricky Joe Bishop, Tad Brown, Westin and Jodi Clark, Ken Cobb, Hal Shaffer, Jason Housely, Sam Klement, Tim Knight, Nick Mundt, Billy Parker, Hank Parker Jr., Eddie Salter, Allen Treadwell, T-Bone Turner, Michael Waddell and Mike Wolfe.
Other celebrities who participated included comedian Killer Beaz, former major-league baseball player Ryan Klesko, Dan Henderson and Matt Lindland from Ultimate Fighting and Tennessee Titan quarterback Kerry Collins.
Country Goes Huntin’ was founded in 2001 by childhood friends Sam Klement and Rhett Akins. The purpose was to raise awareness — and proceeds for worthy causes — by combining the outdoors and country music.
Sam owns Spectrum Outdoors, a video-production company, and Rhett is a country-music recording artist.
“It’s amazing how big the event’s gotten,” Sam said. “I am honored to have so many friends in the music and outdoor industry that are willing to give back to the community.”
Plans are already under way to make next year’s Country Goes Huntin’ event even bigger and better, Sam said.
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