Singer Barrett Baber headlines festivities on Saturday, Oct. 29, for the 2016 Stateline Stampede Cattle Baron's Ball, this year held at Texarkana Convention Center.
With a new album on the way in November ("A Room Full of Fighters"), Arkansas native Baber blends country with soul stylings in his music, having used his many trips to Memphis to enrich his musical education. He garnered third place overall during the ninth season of "The Voice" and won the CBS Grammy Gig of a Lifetime in 2014.
An American Cancer Society fundraiser, the Cattle Baron's Ball starts at 7 p.m. Cowboy chic attire is requested. Expect Baber to take the stage at 9:30 p.m. The night begins with a VIP reception at 6 p.m., while the ball itself includes a silent auction, midway games and a gourmet dinner.
Christal Prince, community manager for the American Cancer Society, says that while people are paying for a wonderful evening, they're also potentially saving a lot of lives at the same time.
"The main thing is it's a wonderful party. It's a great, interactive, fun party," Prince said.
In Baber, they have a singer popular in this area because of his Arkansas roots, someone who's outgoing and with great stage presence, she said.
"One thing that we witnessed on 'The Voice' is that Barrett is a great entertainer," Prince said.
This year's venue is new, too, but the Cattle Baron's Ball takes that approach so the fundraiser can stay fresh.
"We try to keep it new, exciting and different," Prince said.
The Cattle Baron's Ball, now in its fourth year, once again includes midway games to make it interactive. The fun includes a wine pull, where you pay a certain price and pick your number for a bottle of wine. "Everybody gets a great bottle of wine for their donation," Prince said, noting one is worth about $150.
Casino-style gaming adds to the midway fun. One game is like giant Yahtzee, said Prince.
VIP gives the ticketholder admission to the VIP reception, complimentary beverages, hors d' oeuvres, a meet-and-greet and photo opportunities with Baber and an advance look at the silent and live auction items. Every ticketholder receives table seating, the concert, auction and a gourmet meal.
"We want to thank all of our sponsors for their support," Prince said, noting they make the extravagance of this party possible.
(Tickets start at $150 for an Outlaw Ticket; VIP Baron Tickets are $225. More info, reservations and ticket purchase: StateLineStampedeTXK.org or 903-278-9680. Tickets can also be purchased at Cavender's, Crockers Jewelers and Gray's Jewelers.)