Tim McGraw Gathers Country Friends For Swampstock

The sixth edition of Swampstock -- Tim McGraw's annual homecoming, country music concert and celebrity softball game -- is beginning to take shape. Tentative guests for this year's charity event in Rayville, La., are Faith Hill (McGraw's wife), Asleep at the Wheel, Rhett Akins, Ty Herndon, the Clark Family Experience, and Jo-El Sonnier.

Swampstock began in 1994 as a softball game organized by McGraw to raise money for the local little league. It has since grown into an annual event that features a celebrity softball game and concert that attracts more than 11,000 people to McGraw's hometown of Rayville, which has a population of just 4,000.

The softball game and concert will take place on Oct. 10 at the Tim McGraw Sports Complex, which was built with money raised by past Swampstock events. Organizers say they've also provided little league equipment and established a college scholarship fund to help students in the Northeast Louisiana area.

Tickets to the event are scheduled to go on sale through traditional outlets on Sept. 11. Additional information is available at the Swampstock website (www.swampstock.com).

McGraw -- the son former major league relief pitcher Tug McGraw -- will be up for seven CMA awards on Sept. 22, more than any other country performer this year. He's currently wrapping up a summer tour of the fair circuit.