Recaps of Past Events
Back to Current RecapsPictures from Christmas Party and Gay Ol' Opry VI
SMRA was Holly and Jolly for the holidays and the music rang out loud and clear. The Smoky's gathered for a feast of good treats at Blu on December 16th. After the eating there was the wonderful peformances from Gay Ol' Opry VI. Miss Kitty, Justin James, Cowboy Mark and others sang holiday tunes and other country favorites to a enthusastic crowd.See the Christmas Party Pictures
See the Gay Ol' Opry Pictures
Local Gay Rodeo Association Awarded Tax-Exempt Status
Nashville, Tennessee - November 4, 2007 – Members of Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association (SMRA) are pleased to announce that the Internal Revenue Service has granted our organization 501(c)3 status. This 501(c)3 status indicates that an independent government agency considers SMRA a bona fide non-profit organization.Cowboy Happy Hour at Illusions II!
On Wednesday, October 10, 2007, Illusions II at 339 Wilhagen Road in Nashville hosted a Cowboy Happy Hour so their patrons could learn more about SMRA and what it's all about. Folks were invited to grab a drink, meet some members and learn about gay rodeo and the work that SMRA does for its Charity Partners. The group enjoyed country music, happy hour prices, and wonderful snacks ... including deep-fried pickles! Special thanks to the staff at Illusions II for making members and guests feel welcomed!Nashville CARES 2007 AIDS Walk
On Saturday, October 6, 2007, members from Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association participated in the 2007 Nashville CARES Aids Walk. This was SMRA's third year to participate and we reached our goal of raising more money than ever before. The AIDS Walk is one of the city's highest profile annual events and one of the agency's longest-running fundraisers. SMRA is proud to participate. Thanks to Mr. SMRA 2007, Justin James, for organizing and motivating our team!Gay Ol' Opry V
SMRA's tradition of all country music fundraising shows continued on Sunday, September 16th with Gay Ol' Opry V. This all-country evening, hosted by Club Blu and featuring both live entertainment and illusionists was, as always, a great time. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Charity Partners of Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association.Monthly Rodeo Night: The Tradition Continues!
On Saturday, September 1, 2007, Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association continued its tradition of monthly Rodeo Nights by gathering at Blue Gene's 37203. As in the past, the evening began at 8:00 p.m. with country line dancing and continued with a beer bust and "Hugs from Momma" fundraising and educational opportunities beginning at 10:00 p.m. Thanks to all the staff at Blue Gene's for making SMRA and our guests feel welcome!Cowboy Happy Hour at Blue Gene's 37203!
On Wednesday, August 29, 2007 SMRA members gathered at Blue Gene's 37203 for Cowboy Happy Hour. These events are great opportunities for members to talk about Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association and what it's all about. In addition to happy hour drink specials, Blue Gene's provided excellent appetizers and played country videos and music for the entire evening. Special thanks to Geno, Gene, Timmy and the rest of the staff at Blue Gene's for making our members and guests feel welcome!Royalty BBQ BASH!
On Saturday, August 18, 2007, SMRA's 2008 Royalty Candidates hosted a BBQ BASH at TRAX in Nashville. Despite the record-breaking heat, we had a great turnout and the candidates raised more than $300.00. There was plenty of food and draft beer available as well as great conversation and friends. SMRA's Royalty Team does a great job of leading our fundraising efforts. Skip, Steve, Kitty, Kami Lynn, as well as Mr. SMRA 2007 Justin James, continue to work hard to make SMRA's Royalty Program a success! Thanks to Jack Marshall, Royalty Committee Chair, Steve and all the staff at TRAX and everyone that braved the heat to support our Royalty Candidates!Rodeo Night at TRIBE
On Friday, August 10, 2007, members and friends of SMRA joined for an evening of cowboy/western/rodeo fun at TRIBE. The evening, hosted by Mr. SMRA 2007, Justin James, featured a great mix of Country and Rock by DJ Phil and dance lessons by SMRA's own Terry Fisher. The evening ended with a "shirt-off-the-back-of-your-favorite-bartender" auction that raised money for SMRA's Charity Partners and special Royalty Recipient, Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.Chute Farewell ...
The Chute Complex, one of Nashville's oldest gay establishments, closed its doors for the last time on Friday, July 27, 2007. A great deal of the success that Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association has enjoyed since its inception is directly related to the generosity of the owners, management and staff of the Chute Complex. The members of SMRA are extremely grateful for the many fundraising opportunities that the Chute Complex has offered over the years including Rodeo Night Beer Busts, Gay Ol' Opry nights, pub crawls and countless special events in addition to monthly general membership meetings. I want to personally wish everyone from the Chute Complex a sincere "thank you" on behalf of SMRA and its Charity Partners. We will miss our friends but cherish our memories.Grigsby White, President 2007
Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association
Knoxville PLAY DAY! A big Success!
On Saturday, July 14, 2007, Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association hosted a "play day" at Rarity Bay Equestrian Center. Approximately seventy-five participants enjoyed learning about the various events associated with an IGRA-sanctioned rodeo and had opportunities to ride, rope and ask questions. Lots of food and fun was enjoyed by all! Donations were accepted with proceeds benefiting the Charity Partners of Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association. Special thanks to everyone that contributed to the success of this event, including Tim Thomas and the staff at Rarity Bay Equestrian Center, The Chute, Kurt's Bar, Club XYZ, The French Quarter and several generous SMRA members. Watch for photos to be added to the Gallery section and a more in-depth article in the next edition of the Smoky Mountain Round-Up.!Country Idol at the Chute! – We have a winner!
On Thursday, May 31, 2007, the Chute Complex selected a "Country Music Idol King of the Cowboys". After several weeks of competition the winner was Jason with Chadd and Colleen as runners-up. The talent throughout the competition was wonderful! Thanks to all that came out to support SMRA, Bartender Don and all the singers. Proceeds from generous tips, silent auction items, etc. throughout the competition will benefit the Charity Partners of Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association. Congratulations and thanks to the winners and to everyone that contributed to the success of Country Music Idol!Nashville Community Groups Mixer – Hosted by SMRA and Tribe
On Tuesday, May 8th, SMRA and Tribe hosted a mixer as a meet and greet opportunity for all of those involved in Community groups throughout Nashville and the surrounding areas. No tables, booths or speeches. Just food, folks and fun! There was a great crowd throughout the night totaling around sixty-five men and women from several organizations including BPAN, Conductors, Deloitte GLOBE, GLBT Chamber, Grizzlies, HRC, iOut Newspaper , Music City Bears, Nashville CARES/Artrageous, Nashville in Harmony, Nashville Pride, OutCentral, Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association, TEP, TN Vals, and Vanderbilt University. Folks mixed and mingled while nibbling on appetizers provided by Tribe. Special thanks to Bill T. for coordinating the event and to James H. for providing an incredible centerpiece for the table. It always helps to have a resident expert in flowers and design.Pub Crawl VI – "Off Into the Sunset"!
On Saturday, May 12, 2007, SMRA hosted its annual Spring Pub Crawl. This year's theme was "Off Into the Sunset". The Celebrity of the FADD's Party bus arsenal was the bus of choice. Pub Crawlers visited (The Chute Complex, Blue Gene's, TRAX, The Lipstick Lounge, Lucky's Garage and Tribe) and enjoyed prize give-aways! Don't miss SMRA's next Pub Crawl!Springtime Fun at April's Easter Themed Rodeo Night & Beer Bust
If you missed April's Rodeo Night & Beer Bust at the Chute Compex, you missed an egg-stravaganza! Terry F. taught some serious dance lessons and the dance floor was full! Then, James H. as the Easter Bunny hopped on by selling Easter eggs for our Charity Partners. The Easter Bunny brought some helpers, David and Hershel, to help with the Easter basket. Mr. SMRA 2007, Justin James, performed in the Rainbow Room to a pretty good crowd and donated his tips to SMRA's Charity Partners. And, as always, the Bud Light beer bust was a huge success! How can you go wrong with Bud Light?! See the May 2007 Edition of Smoky Mountain Round-Up for the rest of the story.Trailblaze to Little Rock - My First Gay Rodeo (By Hershel Nelms)
I'd like to share my experience regarding Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association's recent Trailblaze to Little Rock, Arkansas. This was the first rodeo that I have attended with SMRA and I enjoyed it very much. They are a great group of people who do a lot ofr the gay community. I enjoyed learning the different aspects of each event that the rodeo offered and what all they did during the events. The weather in Little Rock was perfect for this time of year and the activities that DSRA had planned were great! See the May 2007 Edition of Smoky Mountain Round-Up for the rest of Hershel's story.Cowboy Happy Hour at TRAX
February's Cowboy Happy Hour at TRAX was a lot of fun. Several members gathered to enjoy a few drinks, eat some snacks, watch some videos and play some video games! Thanks to the staff at TRAX for making the gang feel welcome. Watch for details regarding future Cowboy Happy Hours and mark you calendars so you don't forget.Winter Round-Up 2007
On Friday and Saturday, February 2-3, 2007, SMRA held its 2007 Winter Round-Up at Lucky’s Garage and the Chute Complex. It was a great weekend of country fun featuring live performances by local artists and SMRA members as well as special guest comedienne Donna Carter! The proceeds from several fundraising opportunities, including drink specials, "Shirt of a Cowboys Back Auction", beer bust, coat check and a Silent Auction will benefit the Charity Partners of SMRA). Thanks to all the performers, the staffs at Lucky's Garage and the Chute Complex, and all the hard-working volunteers, for helping to make this event a huge success!Gay Ol' Opry III - An All-Country Fundraiser
On Sunday, January 28, 2007, SMRA hosted it's third "Gay Ol' Opry" night at the Chute Complex! This all-country show included performances by several SMRA Members and special guests. A good-sized crowd braved the cold weather to come out and show their support. Everyone had a great time and all the proceeds will benefit our Charity Partners! Special thanks to all the performers, the staff at the Chute and Jack M. for doing a great job as emcee. Don't Miss "Gay Ol' Opry IV" coming soon!SMRA Chooses Charity Partners for 2007
At its most recent General Membership meeting, the members of Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association voted to select Charity Partners for 2007. In keeping with its tradition of distributing donations among a diverse group of charities, A has chosen the following organizations:- Alive Hospice, Inc. Alive Hospice provides loving care to people with life-threatening illnesses, support to their families, and service to the community in a spirit of enriching lives.
- Angel Heart Farm, Inc. The mission of Angel Heart Farm, Inc. is to provide a safe environment for animal therapy to improve the "quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Working with horses empowers these children to be pro-active caregivers as opposed to the role enforced on them by their illness as a powerless, reactive, care recipient.
- The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation. The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit public charity committed to funding programs that provide the greatest benefit to cancer patients and their families. By supporting new programs in cancer research, education, and patient and family services, they honor the memory of Sarah Cannon, a cancer patient herself, who created the beloved character “Minnie Pearl.”
- Vanderbilt Pediatric & Adolescent HIV/AIDS Clinic. The Clinic is designed to evaluate whether or not a baby or child has been infected with HIV and to provide therapy if the child is infected.
