Sorry for the late response. I'm in Kansas at this time. No high speed conection here!
The dates for the east tenn look like all Sundays. I have never fished the BASS weekend series so I do not know the payout but I do not think it will change. I have heard only of some minor rules that needed to be changed. Check out all of the information on either the ABA website or the BASS site.
As far as a district in central Ky, I think the numbers are not there. I wish I could fish the weekend series, I think the schedule is great!
As far as which one you should fish, I think it is a personal thing. If you have a Ranger, I think the BFL is for you. This is not too say you have to have a Ranger or Ranger owners cannot fish the BASS or ABA for that matter.

Fish which ever one suits you or your schedule. I know I would.
George Salov