Bluebonnet Youth Ranch Fundraiser Music Lineup Announced

Allen Shamblin is working hard to bring musical talent to the annual Bluebonnet Youth Ranch Golf Tournament. He related his songwriting process before telling a large crowd at the kickoff luncheon at the Victoria Country Club about the lineup for this year's event.

Shamblin, a member of both the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Hall of Fame, serves as the host for the annual fundraising event. "Some of these are very familiar who have been coming for years," Shamblin told the Victoria Advocate. "There's George Chambers - this will be his 30th year." When Shamblin mentioned Mundo Earwood, he got emotional. Earwood underwent surgery this week for pancreatic cancer but has vowed to attend the October event. "That chokes me up, knowing what this man is going through and still wants to be here," Shamblin said. Fiddlin' Frenchie Burke, another event regular who suffered a stroke last fall, has also told organizers he plans to be in Victoria for the golf tournament. Other entertainers expected to attend and perform include Janie Fricke, Jan Howard, Clifton Jansky, Gary Morris, Rick Trevino and Jack Ingram, among dozens of others. Shamblin is a star in his own right, and his songwriting connections help attract performers to the youth ranch fundraiser.

The event, held Oct. 13-14, includes a banquet and auction at Spring Creek Place Event Center and a dinner, dance and concert at Schroeder Hall the following night. Two golf tournaments, including a celebrity event, are held at the Victoria Country Club.

Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, 4 miles south of Yoakum, opened in 1972 and serves as a long-term, residential home for dependent, abused and neglected children. Since it opened, the ranch has served about 500 children.