Thebama

Mike March 31st, 2009

What gives with pre-empting the Osbournes” tonight for a weather repeat? I have no doubt it won”t be a “quality” show and probably won”t last more than a few episodes; but Fox is the home of “see what sticks” programming, and with the crap they run from week to week I find this selective censorship rather insulting.

I”ve got 500 channels, if I don”t want to see the show I”m more than capable of changing the channel, but quite frankly I planned to watch it as (a) it follows idol; and (b) I like to know what people will be talking about tomorrow. Do you have so little faith in your viewers that you feel you have to make decisions for us when it comes to what to watch? You chose to be a Fox affiliate, knowing the kind of shows they are famous for… it’’s too late to be playing holier than thou.

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bamaleigh123 March 10th, 2009

STARS FALL ON ALABAMA AS PART OF NEW ENTERTAINMENT CIRCUIT

To confront the growing fear of the nation-wide economic meltdown and the direct loss of revenue and jobs to the State of Alabama, Ronnie Gilley (CEO, Ronnie Gilley Properties/Ronnie Gilley Entertainment and developer of Country Crossing, Dothan, AL), James Stroud (President of Ronnie Gilley Entertainment and award-winning music producer) and country superstars, Tracy Lawrence (”Paint Me A Birmingham”), Marty Stuart (”Tempted” & “The Marty Stuart Show”-RFD-TV) and Darryl Worley (”Have You Forgotten”) barnstormed Alabama today and will do so again tomorrow, Wednesday, March 11, 2009, with stops in Dothan, Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville and Mobile to announce plans for a series of major entertainment complexes.

Entertainment destinations will be located in Jefferson, Macon and Houston Counties creating thousands of jobs and millions of tax dollars and charitable contributions. Gilley is outspoken about economic development and the need for new job opportunities.

“Alabama is in dire need of job opportunities. The state coffers are empty and we need to create a solid tax base for our future. Tourism is the answer and the only way to make that happen is to create destinations that people want to visit. Entertainment is the key and Alabama needs to do everything in its power to make this happen. Gilley Entertainment will partner with various electronic operators to create ”boutique” versions of Country Crossing throughout the state.” says Gilley.

The Birmingham Race Track and Victoryland in Shorter will be part of the entertainment circuit with showrooms and celebrity venues being planned.

Gilley is building the world-class entertainment destination, Country Crossing, in Dothan, Alabama. Designed to be a family-friendly resort with luxury hotels, an RV resort, bingo pavilion, celebrity themed venues and restaurants, a family entertainment center and one-of-a-kind entertainment events at the festival grounds, Country Crossing will also create thousands of jobs. [www.countrycrossingalabama.com]

Gilley launched last year’’s extremely successful BamaJam Music & Arts Festival in Enterprise. The inaugural 3-day event drew more than 200,000 music fans to Coffee County and featured more than 30 acts on three separate stages. This year’’s BamaJam Music & Arts Festival secured Verizon Wireless as title sponsor. The mega outdoor entertainment event will take place June 4 - 6, 2009 and features Grammy award-winning and platinum selling headliners including Taylor Swift, Kid Rock, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, The Black Crowes and many more. [www.bamajammusicfestival.com]

Gilley has also just announced the Jones Jam–a free music concert to be held Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan. The concert will star Country Legend and Gilley National Spokesman, George Jones, as well as Clint Black, Lee Greenwood, Aaron Tippin and others. The mini festival will start at 2PM, with gates opening at 12 Noon.

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Mike February 22nd, 2009

Watch out for I.C.E.

No, not the frozen stuff, Iron Cage Extreme – the new Mixed Martial Arts promotion based in Birmingham. ICE hosted their first event Friday night at the Bessemer Civic Center (BCC), a steel cage exhibition of some of the areas more promising amateurs, plus two pro bouts. I was two wrapped up in the action to take notes, so no ESPN-style play-by-play here; but I can tell you they put on a great night of fighting, with only one matchup making it into the second round. The others fell to chokes, arm bars and knockouts, thrilling the crowd of several hundred fight fans.

It doesn’t take much to match-up twenty four fighters and assemble a ring; but it takes a LOT more to put together an exciting, well-controlled and family friendly event – and that is where ICE delivered. They chose a perfect venue in the BCC – providing clear views of the ring to all; and an in-your-face experience you don’t always get with the bigger companies. A professional DJ and entertaining MC kept everyone’s toes tapping between bouts and the ICE Ring Girls were happy to pose for pictures with all the kids… and a few of the older guys. Ice cold coke, hotdogs and wings were available for those of us on the floor, while the VIP’s enjoyed steak and chicken. I snatched up a few limited edition ICE tees and an American Fighter shirt from another vender. And with the economy in the pits, ICE treated the fans nice, with $25 general Admission seats and $35 ringsides, plus massive discounts for the kids.

Watch out for ICE, these guys have class and I suspect we’ll be seeing more great events from them soon.

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Mike January 6th, 2009

Country Funny Man Cledus T. Judd is “Waitin” On Obama”

[Editor''s Note: I got to hear this single today, and it is hillarious! A perfect run-down of what''s getting us down; and the nation''s hope for change!]

After a three-year hiatus, Country music’s most popular comedian, Cledus T. Judd, re-signs with KOCH Records and will release a new single this month, “Waitin’ On Obama.” The song is a parody of Brad Paisley’s hit single, “Waitin’ On A Woman,” and a video was shot yesterday at the Factory in Franklin, Tennessee for Cledus’ version of the song. The single is available on iTunes and the video will be released on inauguration day, January 20th.

“I‘ve had a great time during my radio detour and will continue to make strides in the broadcasting world, but returning to originally what brought me to town is key,” says Judd. “And to do it with my friend Chuck Rhodes and KOCH Records makes it really complete. It’s time for America to start laughing again, and I hope they can begin laughing with me!”

“When Cledus called me a told me the idea about ‘Waitin’ On Obama’, I knew we had to get in and cut it,” explains Chuck Rhodes, Director of KOCH Records’ Country Division. “We went from words on a page to finished product out the door in about 2 weeks. It’s great to be back in business with one of the funniest guys in country music today.”

Judd began his career by parodying popular country songs and he has released over 20 music videos, nine studio albums and two EPs, with several of the singles entering Billboard’s Hot Country Songs charts. Many major country artists have lent their time in support of Judd’s career through appearances on his videos and albums, which include Alan Jackson, Buck Owens, Vince Gill, and Charlie Daniels. He has also toured with some of the biggest names in Country Music such as Brooks and Dunn, Toby Keith, Shania Twain, Brad Paisley and Trace Adkins. Judd’’s television work includes a stint as the co-host of CMT Most Wanted Live from 2002 to 2004 and as a “special correspondent” on the 2005 season of Nashville Star. Additionally, he was one of the featured contestants on Season Five of VH1′’s reality show Celebrity Fit Club. Judd has signed a new publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music and Rascal Flatt’s Joe Don Rooney’s publishing company as a songwriter. Judd was co-writer on a bonus track “The Way” from the Rascal Flatts CD Still Feels Good.

Judd is currently living in Georgia and married to physical therapist Amy Cameron. He is also the proud father of his four-year-old daughter, Caitlyn Rose and fourteen-year-old stepson C. J.

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Chris November 2nd, 2008

Homestead Hollow
Springville, Alabama
By: Christie Bohorfoush, Senior Staff Writer

Homestead Hollow 2008 festivals feature fine arts, unique - one of a kind hand-made crafts, pioneer demonstrations of the old time days… see wood carving, iron work, blacksmithing, smoke house cooking, gardening, quilting, whiskey making at their own original working still. Tour the original cabins as they were built by the early settlers. Relax by one of the many streams and listen to LIVE local entertainment all day. Enjoy GREAT food that makes your mouth scream for more (including hand churned ice cream and home-made fudge.)

There is plenty of children’s activities, to include: pony rides and wagon rides. Jump in the moon walk or climb the rock wall. Kids and adults all enjoy the petting zoo. Visit and talk with the Herbalist and find out more about grandma’s remedies or those nature produces naturally.

Homestead Hollow’s General Store is open for you to visit as well… shop for those home-made fried pies and other great items all day during the show dates.

This year is the first year that I have attended what was Homestead Hollow’s Fall Festival… In fact, my family and I enjoyed it so much that we went on two separate occasions. For those of you who missed their Fall Festival, you missed a great time; but do not despair… Homestead Hollow will be doing their CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY on November 7th, 8th, and 9th. Here is your chance to partake in a wonderful day of activities/ food/ fun/ and shopping for those unique one of a kind Christmas items and gifts.

What makes Homestead Hollow such a wonderful experience is that they provide a wide arrange of activities to delight every member of the family. For the children, there is pony rides and a chance to pet zoo animals, as well as partake in many crafts. Everyone will enjoy the many food vendors on hand who provide everything from home-made soups to corn on the cob to bakery delights. Besides the numerous crafters who will thrill the shopper with their one of a kind - unique goods, you cannot over-look the original cabins and demonstrations from days gone by. It is difficult to take it all in, in one day (which is why my family and I returned a second time.) We purchased many fantastic items from a hand-made iron lizard to Native American jewelry to fudge (a pumpkin pie fudge that we had never experienced before; and boy is it GOOD!)

I would encourage anyone to come out for Homestead Hollow’s CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY… I guarantee that you will have a wonderful experience and walk away with a full belly of delicious food and a handful of unique shopping items for Christmas. And I cannot wait to discover what unique items will be presented for the Christmas season… who does not like to give that one unique gift to a loved one or a friend? You will find it here.

See you there!

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Mike October 21st, 2008

BAMAJAM MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL STACKING UP WITH STARS

Ronnie Gilley Entertainment has set the date for the second annual BamaJam Music & Arts Festival. The mega outdoor entertainment extravaganza will take place, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 4 - 6, 2009, in Enterprise, AL. Sprawling across 450 acres of breathtaking, rolling countryside (along Boy Scout Road and Highway #167), the fields of green will transform once again into a community entertainment and recreation center dedicated to offer the festivalgoer a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience.

More than 30 acts will round out the entertainment line-up at BamaJam 2009. Currently confirmed to perform at the 3-day/3-night musical affair are Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, Montgomery Gentry, Charlie Daniels, 38 Special, Jason Aldean, Heidi Newfield, Jamey Johnson and Houston County.

“This year’’s event will supercede last year, and I”d venture to say any other music festival in 2009,” said Ronnie Gilley, Ronnie Gilley Entertainment. “We have a spectacular, jam-packed artist line-up to attract music lovers of all ages, FAN-tastic food, more tents to provide shade from the heat, expanded campsites and larger-than-life video screens.”

The gates open to the outdoor entertainment & performance arena on Thursday, June 4 @ 12:00PM.

For the true outdoorsman (and women), BamaJam is a place you won”t need to leave. More RV campsites and tent areas will be created this year where festival-goers (after seeing the stars) can sleep under the stars. BamaJam will accommodate more than 1,500 RV’’s. (Rates: RV Camping - $150.00/Tent Camping - $75.00/Additional Vehicle Charge - $50.00) Day parking is $15.00.

Ticket Information
Ronnie Gilley Entertainment is offering three easy ways to purchase tickets for BamaJam 2009. BamaJamers can take advantage of the “Early Bird Special” and purchase the 3-day general admission ticket TODAY at the price of $139.50. (The early bird tickets are limited; only 5,000 tickets will be sold at the “special” early-bird rate.)

As an added incentive, ticket buyers can purchase their BamaJam tickets on the Easy-Pay Plan. The event promoters are making it easier and more affordable for any and all music enthusiasts to join the party in June 2009. Ronnie Gilley Entertainment is offering for the first time an extended payment plan wherein the 3-day Easy-Pay General Admission Ticket can be purchased online and paid for in four equal installments. Ticket fees will be charged to the ticket purchaser’’s credit card in four equal amounts (plus handling fees and tax) and tickets will be emailed to the purchaser at the time of the fourth and final installment.

In addition, the festivalgoer can go online to download a weekly payment booklet whereby they will be able to make payments each week until the 3-day general admission ticket is paid in full. A $5 down payment is required for each ticket purchased in order to take advantage of this special installment offer.

All payments should be hand-delivered or mailed to Ronnie Gilley Entertainment/BamaJam Offices, One Maverick Way, Enterprise, AL 36330. (Please do not send cash.) All tickets must be paid in full by May 31, 2009. Once tickets are paid in full, they may be picked up at the same location or they can be mailed. Please call (877) 4BAMAJAM or visit www.bamajammusicfestival.com and click on tickets for additional information.

“We are all feeling the pain of the economic crunch; we feel it every time we buy groceries or pump gas,” Gilley, added. “So, we”re hoping to make it more affordable for those who want to come on out and join us. If someone buys a 3-day ticket today, it’’s only $5.00 a week and it’’s well worth the money!”

All information surrounding artist performances, tickets, the BamaJam Payment Plan and camping can be found online at www.BamaJammusicfestival.com or by calling BamaJam headquarters at (877) 4BAMAJAM.

BamaJam is a Ronnie Gilley Entertainment Production. A portion of the proceeds from BamaJam will be donated to The Harlon Gilley Small Man Foundation, Inc. and The Bo Harrell Foundation, Inc.-501 (c) 3 public benefit corporations created by Ronnie Gilley to assist in enhancing and improving the lives of the people and community of Coffee County and the surrounding area.

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Mike October 18th, 2008

TBS, Very Funny?

First off, I don”t think the ALCS or any of the championship sports games should be on cable in the first place - it should be on free network TV where all can see it. But setting that aside…. Turner and his cronies can”t even manage to get the game on in a timely maner? Epic Fail TBS, Epic Fail.

And running instead an old episode of the Steve Harvey Show? Seriously? You clowns aren”t smart enough to plug in the radio feed for fans to at least listen to the play-by-play? You can stick a camera in front of someone in Atlanta and have them call the game, or at least explain the problem? Really? Think next time, will ya?

Thirty minutes in you get the game on, good job. Shame you had to go and piss off your biggest audience of the year though. Hope that works out well for you and your sponsors.

And yes, I heard it was caused by a power outage. I don”t care. If you can get Steve Harvey on the air, you can get something related to baseball on.

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Lori October 16th, 2008

Black Belt Treasures and Gee’s Bend
By: Lori, TheBama.com Staff Writer

For many years there was really no reason for most of us to travel to rural Wilcox County, but three years ago, in September of 2005 that started to change with the opening of Black Belt Treasures in Camden.

Black Belt Treasures is a non-profit organization created to showcase and promote arts and crafts created in the Black Belt region of Alabama, which has long been economically depressed. The goal is to help stimulate economic growth by providing regional artists a way to sell their products to a larger market.

When it opened, there were only about 75 artists represented, but today there are more than 250 talented people selling pottery, textiles, baskets, paintings, quilts, sculpture, books and other works at Black Belt Treasures. Artists sell these items on consignment and receive a commission of the retail price.

The building in Camden is a modest structure, but once you step inside quality arts and crafts pack the space. Birdhouses in different sizes and colors rest all over the store, acrylic paintings hang on the walls and ceramic pottery sits on multiple tables.

There are also several quilts for sale at Black Belt Treasures, many of which are made by the now famous Gee’s Bend quilters, who create colorful, bold patterns with distinctive geometric simplicity reminiscent of modern art.

If you’d rather see where the quilts are made and maybe even catch the ladies in action, Gee’s Bend is just across the river from Camden. The Gee’s Bend Ferry is one easy way to get to the small, isolated bend in the Alabama River in about 20 minutes. The quilters work at the Boykin Nutritional Center where quilts and a few other items are for sale. There is also a DVD visitors can watch to learn more.

Black Belt Treasures in open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.blackbelttreasures.org.

For more information about Gee’s Bend, visit www.quiltsofgeesbend.com. Ferry cruises to Gee’s Bend start at 6:15 a.m. and run until 4:45 p.m. Check the website for specific times and directions. www.geesbendferry.com.

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Mike October 16th, 2008

Rascal Flatts Lends A Hand In Birmingham

Rascal Flatts came to Birmingham Wednesday, October 15th to help build an amazing new playground in an area that had been just an empty field. Rascal Flatts were selected For Home Depot’’s Humanitarian award. As the winners they chose Birmingham as the location for a brand new playground provided by Kaboom! which was constructed at the Princeton Alternative Elementary School. Other volunteers included representatives from ACM, The Home Depot and Kaboom! as well as many members of the local community. Thanks guys! See below and click on the links on the left hand side to see all the pics and video from this great community project!

Story courtesy of 102.5 The Bull who offers full coverage and photos on their website:
http://www.1025thebull.com/pages/rascal.html

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Chris October 14th, 2008

Ave Maria Grotto/ Saint Bernard Abbey
Cullman, Alabama
By: Christie Bohorfoush, Senior Staff Writer

The Ave Maria Grotto, know throughout the world as “Jerusalem in Miniature,” is a beautifully landscaped, four-acre park designed to provide a natural setting for the 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shines known to man.

The builder of the miniatures at the Ave Maria Grotto was a Benedictine Monk, Brother Joseph Zoetti, O.S.B. Born in Landshut, Bavaria in 1878, he came to Saint Bernard Abbey at the age of fourteen to attend school with the intention of becoming a monk. After being admitted as a Brother in the Abbey he was appointed to the power plant, and while there developed his hobby of building miniatures.

The first replicas were erected on the monastery recreation grounds; but due to the numerous visitors who came to view “Little Jerusalem,” it was decided to move the miniatures to the present site which originally served as a rock quarry for the Abbey. On May 17, 1934 the Ave Maria Grotto was dedicated. Brother Joseph continued his labor of love for over forty years, using materials sent from all over the world. In 1958, at the age of eighty he built his last model, the Basilica at Lourdes.

Beginning on a gently sloped paved path, you will be greeted by several miniature building clusters and junk-bejeweled shines. Standing like sentries of time are Castle Trausnitz, where the local baron broke his promise of protection to the local people of Landshut, Bavaria; Saint Martin’s Church, which has the tallest brick tower in the world; and the Montserrat Abbey, Spain’s pilgrimage site of the famous “Black Madonna.”

Round a bend and you will see it… an entire hillside packed in urban splendor with cathedrals and famous buildings. One half of the flowered hillside depicts the buildings and scenes of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, familiar to all from the Holy Bible; classic Roman landmarks, such as Saint Peter’s, the Colosseum, and catacombs; European wayside shines; the famous Spanish Missions of Florida and the American Southwest, and replicas of the famous Shines of Our Lady at Fatima and Lourdes. The focal point is a central “cave” covered with artificial stalagmites and stalactites - the Ave Maria Grotto.

While I was most impressed with the miniatures that Brother Joseph created on the quarry land, what most took my breath away is the Abbey itself - Saint Bernard Abbey. Begun in the 1950s, monks and other workers spent almost ten years on construction of the Abbey church using four kinds of stone and pine boards cut by the monks from the Abbey forests. The focal point of the church is the 10-foot long GREAT CROSS which hangs over a massive granite alter. Interior features include ten hand-carved, 12-foot tall stone figures of saints, stone parabolic arches and a 44-rank organ of approximately 2,400 pipes. Using a traditional Latin cross floor plan, the church can seat more than 500.
For a Catholic like myself, I have been in some beautiful churches of the Boston and New England area; but none were as impressive as Saint Bernard Abbey. From the moment that I stepped through the Abbey’s front doors, I felt a complete peace come over me. I stopped, in fact, at the front entrance to light a candle in memory of my father, something I had not yet gotten to do, since my father’s passing. Here again, however, I simply could not get past the sense of love and well being that I felt within the walls of the Abbey. It is something that visitors to the Abbey must experience for themselves.

NOTE: The Ave Maria Grotto and Saint Bernard’s Abbey are open daily from April to September 8am to 6pm and from October to March from 8am to 5pm.

View our Gallery from the Grotto

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