PORTER WAGONER MEMORIAL
ARTISTS & ANGLERS FISHING TOURNAMENT
Legendary Angler Roland Martin Added to Pro List
(Nashville, Tennessee...) -- June 7, 2009 -- In just its second year, the Porter Wagoner Memorial Artists & Anglers Fishing Tournament, which pairs country music artists with professional anglers for a day of fishing, has grown from 27 to 37 boats. Legendary angler Roland Martin has signed on to fish again this year, and he will join such notables as Jimmy Houston, Gary Clouse, Mike Delvisco, 2008 Bassmaster Classic Female Champion Judy Wong and others. This year's event is set for Tuesday, June 9, 2009 on Nashville's J. Percy Priest Lake, and the weigh-in will take place at Bass Pro Shops at Opry Mills at 3:00 p.m.
Artists returning from last year's event include Top 3 finishers Dale Wallace (Emerson Drive,) Bryan White, and Brad Mates (Emerson Drive,) respectively. Veteran weighmaster Willie Cook returns in the same capacity this year and the ever-personable Chief George Braswell carries on his duties as weigh-in host.
This year's tournament also showcases anglers from the Professional Women's Bassmaster Tour including the aforementioned Judy Wong, 2006 Champion Pam Martin Wells, Old Hickory Lake 2008 tour stop winner Dianna Clark, Cindy Hill, Lisa Craig and Emily Shaffer.
The weigh-in will take place at 3:00 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops Opry Mills, with a special concert by young bluegrass sensations "Green on the Vyne" and other special guests at 2:00 p.m. The weigh-in and concert are free and open to the public.
Bass Pro Shops announced the company will give two (2) $500 gift cards to the winning team, and trophies will be awarded for runners-up and "Big Bass." The Top 10 finishers will each receive a prize pack of Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits and more.
Primary sponsors Bass Pro Shops, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Texas Roadhouse Restaurants, T-H Marine and Costa Del Mar Sunglasses return this year, and American Rodsmiths, Elm Hill Marina and P-Line fishing line have signed on as new sponsors.
The pairings are as follows:
1. Bobby Bare Mel Tillis
2. Brice Long Mike DelVisco
3. Jeff Cook Emily Shaffer
4. Eric Durrance Ray Brazier
5. Daryle Singletary Rusty Strange
6. Katie Armiger Lisa Craig
7. Dean Brody Dianna Clark
8. Barry Bales Pam Martin Wells
9. Denise Wagoner Julie Schuster
10. Brad Mates Gary Clouse
11. Bryan White Ron Colby
12. Mica Roberts Big Fred
13. Jon Randall Cindy Hill
14. Carter's Chord (Joanna) Walt Reynolds
15. Rodney Atkins Jimmy Houston
16. Carter's Chord (Becky/Emily) Roland Martin
17. Sammy Kershaw Mike Lott
18. Justin Moore Pate Langely
19. Trent Willmon Derek Yamamoto
20. Eric Church Marty Smith Bill McGuire
21. Brad Albin James Mitchell
22. Dale Wallace Judy Wong
23. Dan Evans Garry Mason
24. Bo Bice Chief Michell
25. Telluride (Adam Craig) Laura Gobner
26. Tellurude (Jimi Hendrix) Kim Stamp
27. Telluride (Brian Smith) Kathi Hurst
28. Eddie Reasoner Tommy Tow
29. Hoot Hester Jim Alphin
30. Andy Griggs Sondra Rankin
31. Paul Compton Hank Compton
32. Jeremy McComb Stevie Ray Anderson
33. Gary Kubal Tommy Hamilton
34. Clint Park Hugh McNaughton
35. Johnny Park Luke Menow
36 Rob McCoury Charlie Hammick
37. Jason Carter Larry Sharp