Big Stars, Big Mouths, Big Lake, Big Time at T.J. Martell Foundation's 2nd Annual ``Fishing For A Cure''.

Sports/Entertainment Editors & Outdoor/Fishing Writers

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BW SportsWire)--March 20, 2002

Big stars will take to the big Percy Priest Lake on April 30 for the 2nd Annual "Fishing For A Cure" to benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research.

Co-hosted by NFL defensive tackle Jason Fisk and Tennessee Titan Randall Godfrey, the exclusive bass fishing tournament will be held at Nashville Shores and unites Nashville's sports, music and corporate communities. The tournament is limited to 20 participants who will have the opportunity to spend a day on the lake with Fisk, a number of Tennessee Titans, Triton pro bass fishermen, and several of Music City's biggest artists.

In addition to Fisk and Godfrey, boat sponsors will cast their lure with celebrities such as the Tennessee Titans' Kevin Carter, Fred Miller, John Thornton, Joe Salave'a, Dainon Sidney, Brad Hopkins, Benji Olson and Coach Jeff Fisher - along with a host of country artists including Andy Griggs, Charlie Daniels and many more.

New to this year's event is that the post-fishing Bass Bash & Beach Party will be open to the public beginning at 5 p.m. Tracy Byrd will emcee the star-studded party that will feature top name entertainment including veteran entertainer Gary Chapman, the legendary Steve Cropper ("Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" and "Soul Man"), The Players, a band of Nashville's top studio musicians, and some of the biggest names in country music.

General admission to the Bass Bash & Beach Party is $20 per person or $50 per car. Guests are invited to bring a blanket and picnic to join in on the beach-side concert and autograph opportunities with the celebrities.

To receive information on boat sponsorship and VIP seating at the Bass Bash & Beach Party, call [phone].

"Fishing For A Cure" is the brainchild of the Tennessee Titans 2001 Man of the Year, Jason Fisk. Although the defensive tackle recently signed a five-year contract with the San Diego Chargers, Fisk who has had several family members who have been afflicted with cancer and seen first-hand how devastating the disease can be, remains committed to this event and the T.J. Martell Foundation. "Even though I am leaving the Titans, my heart is very much into this event," Fisk said. "Many of my teammates that I have shared such great memories with these last few years have committed to continue to help make "Fishing For A Cure" a Nashville tradition."

"Jason and his wife Miriam have both been very involved in many endeavors," said Titans VP/Community Affairs Bob Hyde. "Over the past several years they have constantly lent their time and resources to great projects throughout the city."

Event sponsors include Triton Boats, Nashville Shores, Bass Pro Shops, Trifecta Entertainment, American Airlines and PSL Nashville.

Last year's inaugural "Fishing For A Cure" event raised $60,000. The Martell Foundation was founded in 1975 by music industry executive Tony Martell and his colleagues in memory of his son, T.J., a victim of leukemia. To date, the Foundation has raised more than $160 million for cutting edge research into the cures and treatment of cancer, leukemia and AIDS. Locally the Foundation funds the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, and is also nationally recognized for support of research facilities at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.