By Brenda Valentine
First Lady of Hunting®
September 10, 2008

This group is part of the past and present inductees of the National Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame gathered at the Nashville Sheraton on August 29.

Many conservations groups were well represented at the event, such as the National Wild Turkey Federation among others. Pictured is Kirk Thomas, founder of the National Wheeling Sportsmen and other organizations for disabled outdoor sportsmen and women.

If you were to cross a family reunion with an inaugural ball, and throw in a smidgeon of Grand Ole Opry, early American history and Emmy Awards hosted by a bunch of fish yanking, turkey calling, deer hunting outdoors men and women, then you’d have a close idea of the grand event in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 29 for the Legends of the Outdoors National Hall of Fame induction. The ballroom of the Music City Sheraton was jam-packed with families and fans of past and present inductees of this prestigious institution.

The Legends Hall of Fame was founded by Garry Mason of West Tennessee as a means of recognizing and honoring individuals who have excelled far beyond the call of duty in the different areas of the outdoors and who have contributed to the future of hunting, fishing and the outdoor heritage. The 2008 induction banquet overwhelmingly followed in the spirit and tradition of bringing honor to the finest people in the outdoors. This years inductees were exhibition shooter Tom Knapp, Bass Pro Shops/Redhead Team captain Jerry Martin, pro angler George Cochran, World Champion Turkey Caller Preston Pittman, legendary angler Jimmy Houston and his wife Chris Houston, who is a professional lady tournament angler, Hunter’s Specialties Col. Jack Oliver, and Mr. Crappie Wally Marshall.
 

Jerry Martin, Chris Houston and Jimmy Houston listen intently as they await their induction. Garry Mason (blue shirt), founder of the Legends Hall of Fame, and Shaw Grigsby, speaker, focus on the program.

Past Legends members John L. Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, First Lady of Hunting® Brenda Valentine, TV host Hank Parker, and professional bass fisherman Shaw Grigsby, were guest speakers. A variety of entertainment venues were provided by Rick Revel, Lisa Snuggs, Dana Bowman, and country crooner Kevin Blake Weldon. A few other renowned legends who share a passion for the outdoors, like country stars John Anderson and Joe Stampley and baseball great Ryan Klesko, were there in support of the event.
 

There were several new awards categories with deserving recipients. The Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and Kids Hunting for a Cure were recognized for their contributions to the outdoors. The American Outdoor Sportsman and the Tennessee Outdoor Sportsman awards were given to Dr. John Waples and TWRA Director Gary Myers. The Legacy Award, which is to honor young men and women who have chosen to follow in their parents' footsteps, was presented to Hank Parker Jr. and Billy Parker. Crockett Mathis, fourth generation great grandson of namesake Davy Crockett, accepted the Trail Blazer Award.
 

The event was an opportunity to renew old friendships and form new ones. Old friends and past inductees, John L. Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, and Brenda Valentine enjoyed catching up on recent hunting tales.

This was truly an evening to remember that lasted into the wee hours of the morning; something one might expect when nearly 400 outdoor sportsmen gathered in one room with lots of fishing lies and hunting stories to tell.

To top off what was already a stupendous event, the Nashville Bass Pro Shops manager Greg Cole and promotions director Julie Schuster invited everyone over to the Outdoor World on Saturday for an opportunity to hang out with the legends and get autographs and pictures. This proved to be an added bonus to the many attendees as it gave everyone a chance to really get to know their favorite outdoor personalities. Kevin Blake Weldon even brought his guitar and serenaded the folks in traditional Nashville style.
 

Kevin Blake Weldon picks a camo guitar, sings his own original songs, and is at home anywhere there is an audience....even on a stool in the glove department of Bass Pro Shops. This song just happened to be about a redneck-redhead woman hunter...

The Legends of the Outdoors National Hall of Fame has exploded during the past seven years thanks to Garry Mason, a man with a vision, much like every one of those who are now Legends members and had a vision of a good life in the outdoors.