Country artists stage charity bike ride

Hundreds of bikers, scores of them country music artists, roared off into the hills overlooking Las Vegas on Sunday for the annual charity bike ride that has become a part of the events surrounding the Academy of Country Music awards.

The ride, which preceded a 7-hour concert at downtown Las Vegas' Fremont Street Experience, began at the world's largest Harley-Davidson dealership before touring up nearby Mount Charleston. Riders paid a minimum of $30 to take part in the event, with proceeds going to the academy's charitable fund.

"It's really, really unbelievable how much it's grown. We're just glad to be very much a part of it and just glad to see all the riders join in," said Eddie Montgomery, whose Harley led the procession next to singing partner Troy Gentry. "Four years ago, the Academy of Country Music asked me and T if we'd kick it off. The first year, we had 35, 36 bikes."

This year, more than 600 people had pre-registered with a steady stream of walk-ups on Sunday expected to push the number well above 1,000.

There was some concern that holding the ride on Mother's Day might discourage some participants.

"I guess most bike riders are guys," academy marketing director Tree Paine said.

The academy has raised more than $1.5 million for charities and organizations around the world. Its foundation was established for programs dedicated to the awareness, growth and education of music.

"It's impressive that these amazing people and fellow artists donate their time and money for such a worthy cause and charity," Gentry said. "I'm flattered to say I'm involved."

Several of the artists' bikes were transported to Las Vegas on two trucks from Harley-Davidson of Cool Springs, near Nashville. Other riders rented choppers from Las Vegas Harley-Davidson or had their personal bikes delivered for them.

Craig Morgan's Victory Motorcycle was brought in by two buddies from Arizona so he could ride after watching last year's event. "I broke my leg dirt bike racing, so I was doing good to wheelchair around last year," he said.

While Morgan was casually dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, Richie McDonald took no chances, wearing a leather vest and leather pants over his regular clothes.

"I don't have my training wheels on today," he said. "Heaven forbid I should lay it over, but I got to have some sort of protection."

Montgomery Gentry, Morgan and McDonald are among the nominees for the 42nd annual awards presentation Tuesday evening at the MGM Grand and televised on CBS.