LifestyleAmerican Thread Sporting Clay Shoot

Tim Montana (Country Music Singer & Tennessee Resident) started the clay shoot fundraiser event at the Nashville Gun Club three years ago. All proceeds go to Special Ops Xcursions (SOX) and other selected military non-profit partners. Friends like Aaron Lewis, Travis Pastrana, Lee Brice, Colbie Caillat, Tyler Farr, and more come out to support the event with their influence, talent, and presence. Also supporting this event are industry-leading and community-involved brands like Rough Country, Can-Am, Black Rifle Coffee Company, Traeger Grills, GLOCK, and more.

Like Rough Country, Special Ops Xcursions keeps its headquarters in Dyer County, Tennessee. They focus on providing active duty Special Operations Forces service members with outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, backcountry camping trips, and even music writing getaways with Nashville recording artists. Rough Country proudly supports our military and the Special Ops Xcursions' goal of offering an "atmosphere of relaxation and camaraderie" for service members and their families at no cost to the soldiers.

The event includes five-person teams who shoot a 75-sporting clay course in the early morning or late afternoon flight. We started the day shooting in the morning flight with a great team, including my new friend, Travis Pastrana, and unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard of him. He is one of the world's most legendary and exciting American professional motorsports & extreme sports athletes. His rise to stardom started with the X Games. Riding in the Can-Am Defender, I enjoyed connecting with him as we put our Benellis to work on the course. Our team was also fortunate to have a special forces service member on board who crushed the course. Our conversations brought into perspective how grateful I am for our military and how important it is to support those who work day and night for our national security.

When we weren't on the course, we had plenty of interesting conversations and incredible food served by The Traeger Grills crew. We were also treated to several memorable moments, including a US Army aircraft touching down and taking off, paratroopers dropping in with the American and SOX flags, and top-tier artists gifting us with their music and talents. The silent and live auctions were also a huge part of this year's event. People could bid on donated items such as products, packages, or experiences. For example, our Rough Country donation package included our 9500 LB winch, Folding Camp Chair, Waterproof Duffel Bag, Camping Blanket, Collapsible Fire Pit, $250 Gift Card, tumblers, and decals.

A big thank you to Tim Montana and the American Thread group for having us out; it was an honor to participate and an unforgettable experience. To learn more about Special Ops Xcursions and their amazing service, visit them at www.specialopsxcursions.org. You can also check out more on the American Thread event at www.americanthreadshoot.com. We encourage you to learn more about these organizations and how you can get involved.