Country singer Blake Shelton plans Raindance II, a benefit concert for Oklahoma wildfire victims. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Music star to return for festival
By Chad Previch
Staff Writer
ADA — Country music star Blake Shelton responded to the Oklahoma wildfires of 2005 and 2006 by holding a concert that raised $133,000 for a program that replaces lost homes.
The Ada native is back for Raindance II, a four-day festival that begins Saturday and ends Tuesday with the Blake Shelton and Friends Concert.
"When I saw how some of my Oklahoma neighbors were so deeply affected by natural disasters, I felt I had to do something,” Shelton said. "Raindance is a good fit for me. I enjoy all the events and, hopefully, so do a lot of other people.”
The festival benefits Project Rebuild, an eight-year-old organization that has built 38 homes across Oklahoma for deserving families. The money raised at Raindance last year enabled the group to build six homes, said Sharilyn Young, the Project Rebuild founder.
One of those homes was built for Willie and Thelma Sellers in Spencer.
"We think it's great,” Willie Sellers said. "We didn't have any insurance. Other than that we would be outdoors. It was a blessing.”
The Sellers' three-bedroom home was destroyed by wildfire as the couple returned home from church on a Sunday in January 2006. The couple was referred to Project Rebuild through Gov. Brad Henry's office, and the group rebuilt a home on the same property, Sellers said.
The money raised for Project Rebuild also goes toward home repairs, water and electricity supply and once purchased a work van for a family that lost theirs. Raindance efforts were especially important last year, Young said.
Raindance II will kick off with an archery tournament from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Pontotoc Technology Center, 601 W 33 in Ada. The top five archers from each division will return on Monday to participate in the Celebrity Shoot Out.
Celebrity guests include Matt Morrett of Hunter's Specialties, Travis "T-Bone” Turner of Realtree Outdoors, and Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, hosts of "Getting Close.” The overall winner of the tournament will go on a turkey hunt with Shelton at his private ranch.
There is no charge for spectators to attend the three-day tournament.
Roping starts at 11 a.m. Cash and prizes are provided through 20th place.
Raindance II concludes with a "Blake Shelton and Friends” concert and silent auction at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Kerr Center on the campus of East Central University. Performers include Craig Morgan, Neal McCoy and Steve Holy. Tickets for the concert range from $25 to $35.
Raindance will auction Shelton's Takamine guitar. The guitar will be autographed by Shelton, Morgan, McCoy and Holy. The online auction goes live Tuesday and runs through May.
To bid, purchase tickets or register for the archery tournament or team-roping event, visit CMTAuctions.com or oklahomaraindance.com. Tickets for the concert also may be purchased at the door.
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