News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-5056 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE JUNE 4, 2007

AMY GRANT CONTINUES LONG LINE OF TOP ABAC PERFORMERS

TIFTON— This year’s Dollars for ABAC Scholars on June 15 continues a long tradition of quality entertainment and great food by the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Foundation at the annual fundraising event for student scholarships. When Amy Grant takes the stage, the lights will come on and Betty McCorvey will breathe a sigh of relief.

McCorvey, the Assistant Director of Development for ABAC, coordinates the annual event for the ABAC Foundation. She said all the Dollars performers have had their own quirks and charm that give them a place in the 36-year history of the dinner and show.  

“Ricky Van Shelton was a very quiet person,” McCorvey said. “He flew down here himself. No one saw him until show time and as soon as his performance was over he hopped back into his plane and flew back home.”

The Temptations, the only Motown act to be showcased at the benefit, did their own set-up, including a dressing room complete with make-up. They also brought along a full brass band.

“That was the only time there was ever dancing at Dollars,” McCorvey said.

McCorvey said some of the more personable artists that have been featured performers include Lee Greenwood, Ronnie Milsap, and John Berry.

“Lee Greenwood came in and introduced himself to all the ladies who were decorating,” McCorvey said. “He also played a game of handball at the First Methodist Church before the show. When Ronnie Milsap came he brought his entire family with him. He is the only artist so far to ever do that.

“John Berry was a very easy person to work with,” McCorvey said. “When we met him he was helping his road crew move equipment. He has since made frequent visits to Tifton and has made himself a niche in our community.”

One special performance took place last year when Trisha Yearwood was the featured artist. She dedicated her performance to her father, an ABAC alumnus.

“She told her people that no matter what it took she wanted to do this,” McCorvey said.

Seats are still available in the 2,000-seat John Hunt auditorium at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center for Grant’s performance. Concert tickets only are $75 each.  Prime seat concert tickets with a lavish pre-concert dinner are $125 each.  Reserved tables for the meal, which include eight tickets together in a deluxe concert location, are $1,250. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible.  

Platinum sponsors for the event are the Ambling University Development Group, Ameris Bank, Pennington Lawn and Garden Products, and The Stafford Companies.

For more information on concert tickets, interested persons can call the ABAC Foundation office at (229) 391-4897 or visit the ABAC web site at www.abac.edu.   

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