HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (July 16, 2007) - As if the prospect of watching the world's top bass angler win as much as $1 million was not enough to drive fishing fans crazy, FLW Outdoors announced today that multi-platinum recording artist Tracy Byrd will perform a free concert during the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup. The concert will take place on the main stage at Summit Arena in Hot Springs, Ark., Aug. 5 at 4 p.m., just before the start of the final weigh-in at 5 p.m.
Byrd is no newcomer to FLW Outdoors, having performed at the 2003 Wal-Mart Open in Rogers, Ark. An avid angler and hunter, Byrd has even developed his own line of crankbaits that benefit the Special Olympics. "Next to family and music, fishing and hunting are my passions," he says.
Since signing his first record deal in 1992, Byrd has become one of country music's core artists. The Texas native has produced smash hits including "Watermelon Crawl," "The Truth About Men," "Ten Rounds," "Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous," and "Keeper of the Stars," which was the Academy of Country Music's Song of the Year in 1996.
Byrd's current album, "Different Things," has stayed strong since its release in 2006. The album, his first studio album on his new label, Blind Mule Records, features hits like "Better Places Than This" and "Cheapest Motel."
US 97-FM is presenting the free Tracy Byrd concert as a tribute to the people of Hot Springs for their support of the station for more than 20 years.
Fishing fans can watch the Forrest Wood Cup contenders take off from Brady Mountain Resort, located at 4120 Brady Mountain Rd. in Royal, Ark., at 7 a.m. Aug. 2-5 and weigh-in each day at 5 p.m. in Summit Arena, located at 134 Convention, Blvd., in Hot Springs, Ark. The Forrest Wood Cup Family Fun Zone & Outdoor Show will feature more than 140 exhibits, fishing seminars by Forrest L. Wood and other bass-fishing legends, and free daily giveaways for children 14 and under accompanied by an adult.
Show hours are 2 to 8 p.m. Aug. 2-3 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 4-5. August 2 is free Berkley fishing line day. August 3 is free tackle kit day. August 4 is free Solar Bat sunglasses day. And Aug. 5 is free rod and reel day. One lucky fan over 18 attending the final weigh-in Aug. 5 will even win a new $53,000 Ranger Z-Comanche bass boat powered by Yamaha courtesy of the Sentinel-Record and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Admission is free, and participants in the Ranger boat drawing must be present during the Aug. 5 weigh-in to win. All other giveaways may be picked up at the main entrances following each day's weigh-in.