Tim Ryan's annual Writer's Night was largest yet

By Karen Peterson

Leader Staff

RONAN - Tim Ryan Rouillier knows how to make a hit with country songs and fundraisers. When he decided to combine music, golf and food to create a scholarship fundraiser he had the right idea, and, after 19 years, the Mission Valley Writer's Night and Scholarship Golf Tournament has hit an all-time record high in participants.

"It was the biggest, longest Writers Night with the largest panel of guests that we've ever had," Tim Ryan said. "Someone said that we had over 1,500 people show up."

Rouillier doesn't have to work very hard to get writers to come to the Writer's Night to sing their hit songs anymore. This year, Scotty Emerick was begging to come along with Sharron Vaughn, Sunny LeMaire, and other singer/songwriters.

"They said that these are some of the nicest people around in this valley, and that this was one of the greatest vacations that they have had. I take them up to Glacier Park and Kerr Radio takes them out on the lake," he said.

Emerick played hit songs, and said it was rewarding to participate.

"This is a great cause. I think more people should do things like this," he said.

Usually writer's nights are small so the fact that this one has grown so much over the years is phenomenal, Rouillier said.

"Writers nights are pretty popular but usually only about 80 people show up. They are kept small so that things don't get to rowdy but this is great. All of the people were great," he said.

The golf tournament was another big success this year, too.

"The golf course did a great job. They don't let me golf — I'd tear up the course — but there were close to 60 teams. It all moved smoothly, and the weather was nice too," he said.

Currently, Rouillier is building a house in Nashville but before he got started on that project he wrote a few new songs.

"I've done three more songs with Phil Vassar, recorded with Trick Pony and I will hopefully be working with George Strait this fall," he said.

As far as the future of the Writer's Night and Golf Tournament, it all depends on funding, Rouillier said.

"I'm going to just play it by ear. The show gets bigger and expenses go up. The airlines are charging more and hotels get more expensive. It is a balancing act to do this. But if our sponsors keep us floating we'll keep going," he said.