Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

Page 14 text:

Fans take pictures of country singer John Berry during his periormanffe June 26. The sold-out VIP section contained 2,000 seats. Mist machines helped keep the section ' s audience cool in the degree weather. (Moro by Nan Kozo° During his opening song. John Bony shakes hands with audience members. He released his fifth album. ' Wildest Dreams: Sept. 28, three months alter his pedonnanoa. (Pfau by Ivan Kezar) Reba McEntire, the event ' s headliner, sings -ro Rather Ride Around With You ' Juno 27. Fans came to see McEntire even though two inches of rain caused flooding and prevented parking in designated areas. According to Pottowatomie Co. Undersheriff Big Henry. weather changes were the biggest concern of Stampede officials- ' Evacuation because of severe weather would be difficult: he said. The crowd never had to evacuate. (Phoio by Reed Dunn) 10 student life

Page 13 text:

group of °Sneed-goers play in the mud between acts Juno 27 during Country Stampede 1999 at Tuttle Creek State Park . Mud fights and mud wrestling became a popular actnnly after heavy rain saturated the grounds. Emergency Medical Service learns treated orthopedic injuries. including a dislocated shedder caused by mud wrestling. (PAW° by Ivan Kozat) ans roach out for Chris lef)oux ' s hand during his performance of ' Cadillac Ranch. LeDoux performed the finale for the evening kickoff party Juno 24 before tho start of Country Stampede. Tickets cost 535 for a one- day pass and S70 br a three-day pass. (Photo by Reed Dunn) country stampede

Page 15 text:

continued from page 8 by molly mersmann country stampede 1 1 IN THE MUD wrestling, which security ended for safety reasons. Twenty-one artists, including McEntire, John Michael Montgomery and Faith Hill performed at the concert. 1 think it ' s neat, Tami Odom, Topeka resident, said. It ' s almost like Woodstock. More than just the fans compared the stampede to the 1969 rock music festival. Comedian Bill Engvall, who performed Saturday, mentioned Woodstock as well. It ' s kind of a country Woodstock, he said. It ' s Cornstock. While the country music attracted fans from around the state and across the country, two acts added a different musical genre. Southern rock ' n ' roll bands, Kansas and Lynyrd Skynyrd, performed at the event with the country artists. While their music added variety to the weekend, Johnny Van Zant, Lynyrd Skynyrd ' s lead singer, said the band has country roots. If you listen to early Lynyrd Skynyrd, there ' s always been a country influence, he said. Skynyrd ' s always had a country flavor. Despite the weather difficulties, officials said the Stampede ended well with fewer injuries than previous years and other problems, such as vandalism, were minimal throughout the weekend. From a management level, I felt the event was successful, said Larry Couchman, director of emergency services for Mercy Health Center and Riley County Emergency Medical Services.