Country music plays poker for charity

Participants in the Academy of Country Music's first-ever charity poker tournament will be flying high, fine as wine, having themselves a big and rich time next month in Las Vegas.

The country duo Big & Rich - singers of the hit song, "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" - are hosting the event with Two Foot Fred May 14 as part of the Week Vegas Goes Country.

The tournament is an exclusive event hosted by the MGM Grand - the site of the 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Donations raised by the poker event will go towards the academy's charitable fund.

The top 10 players receive cash prizes, with the winner bagging up to $10,000. A maximum of 100 players can participate.

"We are thrilled to be a part of the first-ever ACM Charity Poker Tourney," Big Kenny of Big & Rich said in a press release. "We hope to see some big winnings come out of this throw down as we have spent some major time at these tables, so get ready for some Big & Rich fun."

John Rich is also on the lookout for good times, saying the pair will be in Las Vegas for a party and win.

"Having us host the inaugural tournament is both and honor and privilege to rack up some chips for charity, watch out, we are here to make some big bucks," he said.

To register for the tournament, please visit www.acmcountry.com. The buy-in is $375, with portions of the proceeds going to charity.

The Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund supports music education and humanitarian programs. The organization has two chief projects: Learning Through Music and Healing Through Music.

courtesy of Erin Warner

News Added: 15 April, 2007

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