Barnstable 2019 - Master P and Romeo Langford

Master P and Romeo Langford

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The 31st annual Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala has been a star-studded night of dancing, music and mingling.

IMAGES | 2019 Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala

The Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala is one of the largest and most highly anticipated events of the Derby season. On Friday night, it draws names from TV, sports and music.

And it's all for a good cause. Over the last 12 years, the Barnstable Brown Gala has raised over $16 million for diabetes research at the University of Kentucky.

"It's serious," said rapper Master P. "People don't realize how many lives we're losing to diabetes. And to be able to be a part of that – to help to bring awareness, to let people know that we're losing lives behind this. So I'm just grateful to be here."

Surgarland's Jennifer Nettles said she could not wait to sing the National Anthem on Saturday.

"I'm so excited, and I'm also nervous at the same time," she said. "Look – I want to represent. It is a fantastic – it's one of the biggest cultural events in the whole country, so to be able to represent our country and sing the National Anthem – I am blown away. And I was excited, but then everybody around me in my family, in my community, in my tribe – their excitement elevated it even further. So I am thrilled."

Richie Sambora, a former guitarist for Bon Jovi, said he knows what excites him the most about this weekend.

"Number One, obviously the Derby. It's got to be that. But also country music. Music. It's a music state. The whole state – it's all about music."

This year's guest list included New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady.

Rapper Master P and singer Trey Songz were also on the list.

Singer Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland, Dennis Quaid, as well as Bode and Morgan Miller were invited to walk the red carpet at this year's event. 

The annual event is held at the home of Patricia Barnstable Brown, and her twin sister Priscilla Barnstable.

Invited celebrity guests include:

• Tom Brady

• Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland

• Trey Songz

• Aaron Rodgers

• Backstreet Boys

• Dennis Quaid

• Boyz II Men

• Master P

• Romeo Miller (f/k/a Lil’ Romeo)

• Johnny Gill

• Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts

• Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi

• Travis Tritt (Country music artist)

• Wilmer Valderrama

• Bode and Morgan Miller

• John Grisham (Author)

• David Alan Grier

• Stephen Amell (Arrow)

• Lee Brice (Country music artist)

• Tanya Tucker (Country music artist)

• Taylor Dayne

• Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry

• Darryl "DMC" McDaniels (Run-DMC)

• Joey Fatone

• Jordan Smith

• Clay Walker (Country music artist)

• Von Miller (Denver Broncos, NFL and Super Bowl MVP)

• Julian Edelman (New England Patriots, Super Bowl MVP)

• Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers)

• Danny Amendola (Miami Dolphins)

• Mike Vrabel (head coach, Tennessee Titans)

• Sean McVay (head coach, Los Angeles Rams)

• Kliff Kingsbury (head coach, Arizona Cardinals)

• Brian Hoyer (New England Patriots)

• Matt Cassel (Detroit Lions)

• Jacoby Brissett (Indianapolis Colts)

• Jimmy Graham (Green Bay Packers, All-Pro)

• Devante Adams (Green Bay Packers, Pro Bowl)

• Randall Cobb (Dallas Cowboys, Pro Bowl)

• David Bakhtiari (Green Bay Packers, Pro Bowl)

• Bryan Baluga (Green Bay Packers)

• Corey Linsley (Green Bay Packers)

• A. J. Hawk (Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals)

• Erik Bakhtari (San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans)

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