Catching the fever in Pryor

By Sandi Davis

Published: June 2, 2006

PRYOR - Country music fans will converge on this northeastern Oklahoma city for four days of top country acts and local talent, an arts and crafts show, plenty to eat and on-site camping of all levels on the grounds.

The fourth annual Country Fever concert starts Thursday and runs through June 11 at the Catch the Fever Festival Grounds, four miles north on U.S. 69.

Chectoah's Carrie Underwood and Sawyer Brown will play Thursday night. Little Texas and Travis Tritt will perform June 9. Country music's favorite duo, Brooks & Dunn, are headliners June 10, and former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn will probably have plenty of family on hand. Crooner Joe Nichols and Red Dirt favorites Cross Canadian Ragweed also will play June 10.

The festival winds down June 11 with sets by Neal McCoy and The Oak Ridge Boys.

Underwood's album, "Some Hearts has gone triple platinum, and she's gained a stack of awards to pile on top of her 2005 "American Idol win.

The festival is the creation of businessmen from Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

The Catch the Fever Festival Grounds has 400 acres, with a 130-foot permanent stage with full production capabilities. It has 2,000 campsites, plumbing, showers, fresh water, lighting throughout the area, overnight security by the Mayes County Sheriff's Department and, this year, a Reasor's convenience store for campers.

The concert area has 3,000 assigned seats and general admission on the lawn for more than 40,000.

Don't have a high-priced ticket? That's taken care of with "Picture Alley, a place where anyone with a ticket can get close to the stage during any performance and take pictures.

Mark Nuessle is president and general manager of Pryor Creek Music Festivals Inc.

In a news release Sunday, Nuessle said, "There is no place between Kansas City and Dallas that offers this kind of festival. There are many artists from here, and this is a good spot to bring people together.

Nuessle said other festivals similar to this can get more than 25,000 people a day. He hopes to hit that number this year.

Indeed, hotel rooms are booked, campers are packing their gear and everyone is ready for four days of constant entertainment.

When the main stage is empty, several side stages will have entertainment, including karaoke.

The Country Fever arena has Mid-Western Bull Riders Association-sanctioned bull riding each festival day. For an extra $5 a day, see cowboys try their luck with 24 bulls. Watch the Thunderbird Poker Challenge, when four cowboys sit at a table in the middle of the arena and hold a hand of cards in a poker game. To make things interesting, a fighting bull is set loose and the last man in his seat wins the hand.

Buffalo Bill performs in the arena daily, and there are demonstrations by the Mounted Shooters Association of America.

Back to the tunes: In a minor change, John Corbett is off the Thursday schedule, but his place is taken by Bethel Acres native Wade Hayes.

Between sets, visit the on-site silent auction benefiting the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Bid on autographed guitars and other things from country stars. Winners will be the highest bidders when the concerts end.

"This festival is a four-day, high-impact show with continuous music, food, fun and rodeo, Nuessle said. "Customer service is a priority. I want to bring my guests top-notch, quality entertainment where they feel like they're being catered to at a fair price.

"I want them to leave with memories and a desire to come back.

Single-day tickets and festival passes are on sale. They vary from a VIP pass that gives the holder great parking, seats and food, to a one-day ticket for $50 in advance or $60 at the gate. For more information, call (866) 310-2288 or go online to www.countryfeverfest.com.