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People Country singer Aaron Tippin gives By RON GOWER rgower@web.tnonline.com Country music star Aaron Tippin made the first contribution of 1999 to the Carbon County area Toys for Tots campaign Friday night. The high-energy performer put a blue Huffy bicycle together while he was singing at Rambler's Ranch, then announced the bike was to be given to Toys for Tots. Tippin drew over 1,000 fans for his concert at Ramblers, some coming from as far away as Virginia and Michigan. He had various props during his 90-minute show, including an impersonation of Willie Nelson. When he sang his hit song "Working Man's PhD," he brought a rectangular box with him onto the stage. He also carried some tools. While singing, he proceeded to unpack the box, displaying the parts to a bicycle. He continued into his next song, "I Got It Honest," - a previous number one hit for him - and continued working on the bike. By the end of that second song, the bicycle was complete. The emcee for the evening was Mike Wolfe from Lehighton radio station WYNS. Tippin called Wolfe onto the stage and asked him to hold it "as the first toy for the Toys for Tots campaign." Toys for Tots is sponsored by the Marine Corps League. Afterwards, Tippin met with members of Tommy Schafer and his family, owners of Ramblers Ranch. Tommy Schafer and the Blue Mountain Ramblers had opened the show for Tippin. The personable entertainer told Schafer, "I give a bike to Toys for Tots at all my shows." He said some bikes are donated by Huffy but he also purchases a lot of them himself. "It's a great cause," said Tippin. "I'm glad I can help out. Every year I give away a lot of bicycles." Kim Sarver drove to the show with her son from Roanoke, Va. specifically for Tippin's show. "I love him," she said, "He's the best country has." Another major country artist is coming to Ramblers Ranch Thursday night for a concert. Jeff Carson, whose hits include "The Car" and "Evangeline," will be performing.
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Jul 26, 1999