Michael Peterson's Celebrity Tractor Race

Michael Peterson's Celebrity Tractor Race Photos

Three cones, two towers of stacked bales of hay and Michael Peterson's penalty wielding daughters were all that stood between the celebrity contestants and a win in Peterson's first ever Celebrity Tractor Race sponsored by New Holland Tractors.

Celebrities were instructed at the beginning of the course to weave in an out through orange cones and around a bail of hay four times before backing into the place where they started and coming to a complete stop at which time the clock was stopped. All the while, listening to their own hits being broadcast loudly across the lot in front of Nashville's brand new Symphony Hall. Deborah Allen and Bekka Bramlett both cut their corners a little close around the hay bales and almost found out how much protection the New Holland roll bars gave them! Peterson came back with a great line when Allen descended the tractor when he asked about her hit song, "Baby, I Lied," wanting to know if the real lyrics were "Baby, when I told you I could drive, the truth is baby I lied!"

Actually, a few of the singers, had songs that were very good soundtracks for the competition. Billy Yates with "Too Country And Proud Of It," and Wade Hayes "Old Enough To Know Better."

Peterson's daughters weren't only the bearers of bad news to the contestants but good news to the audience. Throwing footballs out to the crowd, which could then be redeemed for a free Michael Peterson CD! The crowd was also treated to ice-cold blue towels, courtesy of Froggtoggs and the Selective Service, to try to soothe them from the scorching hot sun.

Tanya Tucker arrived, with Tuckerville cameras in tow, in a pink ensemble with overalls and pigtails and she was ready to ride. Tucker was the last one to compete for placement and could probably have done better had she not attempted to park her tractor just a little too early. Fans eagerly waved her on trying to let her know that she wasn't yet finished, alas it was not to be fast enough to win. John Berry, U.S. Army Captain Bailes and Wade Hayes had a three-way tie for first place each with 56 seconds. Unfortunately, Berry had already departed from the area so it came down to, fittingly enough, Hayes and Bailes. Bailes came in with 55 seconds and a determined Hayes came in just under at a victorious 54 seconds!

Peterson kicked off his set as soon as the winner was announced leaving no down time between events. Peterson brought Hayes on stage later in the show to present him with, what he labeled a "fancy redneck trophy," a miniature New Holland Tractor replica affixed to a plaque. A New Holland Boomer tractor was autographed, by all competitors, and will be auctioned off, on eBay, with the proceeds being divided equally between St. Jude and Hayes' charity of choice, Habitat for Humanity. Peterson gave a sizzling twenty-minute performance, and signed autographs, following an extremely well organized event. Other sponsors included Past Perfect and Fender Nashville.

Click Here to view the Michael Peterson's Celebrity Tractor Race Photo Gallery.

Article Written & Submitted by Michelle Durham