A night of laughter, music, reflection in Alpharetta

Two of the area's most beloved stars will join together for a night of comedy and music at the new Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park. Braves pitching legend John Smoltz and Jeff Foxworthy, one of the most successful standup comedians ever, are teaming up to present "An Evening of Smoltz, Foxworthy & Friends" Nov. 9 to benefit the John Smoltz Foundation.

These two figures have been instrumental in benefiting area charities over the years, and, given the name of the show, will bring along some of the talented people they've gotten to know over the years.

One of the biggest charities this event will help will be the Kings Ridge Christian School, an independent K-12 school that Smoltz helped found in 2001.

"This will be one of the biggest public fundraisers we've ever done for the school," Smoltz said.

"I've had a number of private events, but it will be great to open this one up for everybody."

Long retired from the standup circuit after his popular "You Might Be a Redneck" bits and Blue Collar Comedy Tours netted him millions of fans and saw him become the best-selling comedian of all time, Foxworthy will be on stage for a very special standup set.

"Jeff's been busy with 'Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader and other things and hasn't had the chance to do standup in a long while," Smoltz said. "I know he's really excited to get back on stage and do it once again."

Also on tap will be the North Fulton debut of upcoming singer Angela Wolff, someone making waves on the Nashville scene with her soulful voice.

Smoltz said he had seen her before and was excited at the opportunity to have her on stage with the rest of the gang.

Following Wolff's performance, the pitcher and comedian will take the stage to offer what Smoltz dubs as "hilarious personal stories." But they won't be alone, the man with more than 3,000 strikeouts promised some of his teammates will also join him on stage, including popular players like Tom Glavine, Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur.

The whole night will be presided over by emcee Ernie Johnson Jr., a UGA alumnus and former WSB-TV sports anchor and Braves broadcaster who now is mostly known for hosting TNT's popular "Inside the NBA" program with Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.

"It's really going to be a neat event," Smoltz said.

"I've been wanting to do something at this amphitheatre for a while. It's just beautiful and right in my backyard, so it seems like the perfect setting."

The pitcher knows that he is nearing the end of his long and very productive career – one in which he helped the team win a World Series in 1995, five NL pennants and an MLB record 14 straight division crowns from 1991-2005 – and said he needs to do everything he can to benefit this community he calls home.

"There will be a day when I don't go downtown anymore, but this area will be my home for the rest of my life," he said. "I'm still rehabbing my shoulder from this past season and hope to be ready to go by opening day next year."

This year's goal for the event, which Smoltz hopes to become an annual tradition, is $500,000. A number of sponsorship opportunities are available, with the upper level sponsors privy to a private function before the show at Smoltz's home as well as VIP seating and autographed items, such as a baseball autographed by Smoltz, Glavine and Greg Maddux.
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