Cattle Baron's Ball
Encyclopedia
The Cattle Baron's Ball in Dallas is a single-night fundraiser for cancer research benefiting the American Cancer Society
. The first Cattle Baron's Ball was held in 1974 at the Star Brand Ranch and raised $56,000. In 2009, the Cattle Baron's Ball at South Fork Ranch raised $3.5 million . As of 2009, the Cattle Baron's Ball has raised nearly $40 million for cancer research.
Country music's most revered performers have entertained at the ball throughout its 35+ year history, including Tammy Wynette
, Johnny Cash
, Willie Nelson
, George Strait
, Waylon Jennings
, Brooks & Dunn
, Clint Black
, Dwight Yoakam
, Big & Rich
, Toby Keith
, Sugarland and Brad Paisley
, among many others . More than $32 million of the money raised has been allocated to UT Southwestern Medical Center . The Ball typically holds a raffle featuring luxury items donated by sponsors and partners, which have included Park Place Porsche, Christie's
, Winstar World Casino, and Eisemann Jewelers.
Given the size, time of year (autumn) and outdoor location of the event, in the past attendees and organizers often dealt with inclement weather and muddy roads on the night of the Ball. The 2009 Cattle Baron's Ball was particularly plagued with limos and other vehicles that became entrenched in the mud; it was estimated that between 500 and 1000 vehicles required towing..
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
. The first Cattle Baron's Ball was held in 1974 at the Star Brand Ranch and raised $56,000. In 2009, the Cattle Baron's Ball at South Fork Ranch raised $3.5 million . As of 2009, the Cattle Baron's Ball has raised nearly $40 million for cancer research.
Country music's most revered performers have entertained at the ball throughout its 35+ year history, including Tammy Wynette
Tammy Wynette
Virginia Wynette Pugh, known professionally as Tammy Wynette , was an American country music singer-songwriter and one of the genre's best-known artists and biggest-selling female vocalists....
, Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
, Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
, George Strait
George Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
, Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
, Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn was an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, who were both vocalists and songwriters. They were paired by record producer Tim DuBois in 1990. Before the duo's foundation, both members of the duo were solo recording artists...
, Clint Black
Clint Black
Clint Patrick Black is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and occasional actor. Signed to RCA Records in 1989, Black made his debut with his Killin' Time album, which produced four straight Number One singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country...
, Dwight Yoakam
Dwight Yoakam
Dwight David Yoakam is an American singer-songwriter, actor and film director, most famous for his pioneering country music...
, Big & Rich
Big & Rich
Big & Rich is an American country music duo composed of Big Kenny and John Rich. Both members alternate as lead vocalists and play rhythm guitar...
, Toby Keith
Toby Keith
Toby Keith Covel , best known as Toby Keith, is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer and actor. Keith released his first four studio albums — 1993's Toby Keith, 1994's Boomtown, 1996's Blue Moon and 1997's Dream Walkin, plus a Greatest Hits package for various divisions of...
, Sugarland and Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley
Brad Douglas Paisley is an American singer-songwriter and musician. His style crosses between traditional country music and Southern rock, and his songs are frequently laced with humor and pop culture references....
, among many others . More than $32 million of the money raised has been allocated to UT Southwestern Medical Center . The Ball typically holds a raffle featuring luxury items donated by sponsors and partners, which have included Park Place Porsche, Christie's
Christie's
Christie's is an art business and a fine arts auction house.- History :The official company literature states that founder James Christie conducted the first sale in London, England, on 5 December 1766, and the earliest auction catalogue the company retains is from December 1766...
, Winstar World Casino, and Eisemann Jewelers.
Given the size, time of year (autumn) and outdoor location of the event, in the past attendees and organizers often dealt with inclement weather and muddy roads on the night of the Ball. The 2009 Cattle Baron's Ball was particularly plagued with limos and other vehicles that became entrenched in the mud; it was estimated that between 500 and 1000 vehicles required towing..