Roundin' up some fun

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- Capitol Records artist Luke Bryan will headline the Second Annual Ropin' and Rockin' for Pennies for the Park fundraising event hosted by Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Adam LaRoche and family. The event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in Fort Scott and will include a rodeo exhibition, afternoon music jamboree and evening concert. Opening for Bryan will be Bigger Picture Group recording artist Craig Campbell. Monies raised from the event will benefit the Fort Scott Pennies for the Park project.

Ropin' and Rockin' was created in 2009 by LaRoche, a Fort Scott native, as a way to give back to his hometown. Last year's inaugural event raised nearly $60,000.

"I'm grateful for all the support we received for last year's event," LaRoche said. "Having Luke as this year's headliner is really exciting and I know everyone who attends will have a great time as we help raise funds for a worthy cause." LaRoche, who made his Major League debut in April 2004, has also played for the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox. Over the winter, he joined the Arizona Diamondbacks as their starting first baseman. Adam and wife Jennifer, son Drake, and daughter Montana spend the off-season at their beloved E3 Ranch in Fort Scott, Kan. The celebrated LaRoche baseball family includes Adam, his younger brother Andy LaRoche, third baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates, older brother Jeff, a former minor league pitcher and his father Dave LaRoche, a former major league baseball pitcher and now a pitching coach in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

Event headliner Bryan is currently enjoying the tremendous success of his new album, Doin' My Thing, which features his co-penned, No. 1 hits "Do I" and "Rain Is A Good Thing." Bryan was recently nominated as New Artist for the upcoming CMA Awards and was tapped earlier this year as the Academy of Country Music's Top New Artist and Top New Solo Vocalist. Bryan won a Country Music Television trophy for the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of The Year for his "Do I" music clip.

Opening for Bryan is Craig Campbell, whose debut Top 40 single "Family Man" is part of a five-song digital EP which has already been in the top 20 on iTunes. His forthcoming full-length release will include the "best of the crop" of Campbell-penned tunes.

"Thanks to Adam's (LaRoche) dedication to area youth, the dream to develop and expand Ellis Park is one step closer to becoming a reality," Youth Activities Team member Tom Robertson said. "Adam has been instrumental in bringing top-tier talent to our community, which has brought great awareness to our efforts."

The concert begins at 7 p.m., Nov. 13. General admission tickets are $26 for advance purchase and $36 for tickets purchased at the gate the day of the event. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Sept. 14.

Ropin' and Rockin' for Pennies for the Park kicks off with a rodeo exhibition at 9 a.m. followed by an Afternoon Music Jamboree featuring 312th U.S. Army Band's Rock Ensemble "Super Hipnotic", The Austin Mountain Snake Band, and Treiber and Robinson. Admission to the rodeo and Afternoon Music Jamboree events is free. Also at the event will be the Buck Commander crew (www.buckcommander.com) with their Buck Commander mobile unit to celebrate the debut of hunting season. LaRoche is a co-owner of Buck Commander along with Willie Robertson of Duck Commander fame and Major League Baseball players Chipper Jones, Ryan Langerhans, Tom Martin and Matt Duff. Airings of "The Buck Commander Show" can be seen nationally on the Outdoor Channel.

For more information on Ropin' and Rockin' for Pennies for the Park and to purchase concert tickets visit www.yatfortscott.

com or call (620) 223-0550