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Bama Jam visitors welcomed to county
May 28 2008 12:00AM By By Kay Kirkland Managing Editor
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First impressions are everlasting, and Mayor Kenneth Boswell said he expects Enterprise and Coffee County residents will extend the hand of hospitality to the visitors to the Bama Jam Music Festival.
“We’re expecting a great event and we welcome everybody to Enterprise and Coffee County. I’m excited,” said Boswell this week as he anticipated the opening day of Bama Jam, set for June 5-7 at the picturesque Pittman Farm on the corner of Highway 167 North and Boy Scout Road.
“I hope this is the beginning of a lot more to come,” said the mayor, who thanked Ronnie Gilley of Ronnie Gilley Properties for hosting the first-ever event of its kind in the Wiregrass.
The three-day extravaganza will feature a medley of legendary artists such as revolutionary country superstar Hank Williams Jr., the celebrated veteran rock band ZZ Top, bluegrass icon Ralph Stanley and Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame members Lynard Skynard.
More than 30 other artists will occupy the three stages to be professionally set up next week complete with jumbo screens on either side.
The lineup includes Alabama lead vocalist Randy Owen, Trace Adkins, Ricky Skaggs, Little Big Town, recent Academy of Country Music Award winners Miranda Lambert (Album of the Year) and Tracy Lawrence (Vocal Event of the Year), and a variety artists that range from traditional country to bluegrass, Americana and folk.
Billy Graham of Ronnie Gilley properties said Georgia native Corey Smith is believed to be the biggest-selling artist in the country not to have a formal record deal.
Adding to the unique and varied appeal of Bama Jam will be Keller Williams, the Old Crow Medicine Show, Nanci Griffith, Marc Broussard, Claire Lynch, Dan Tyminski, Del McCoury, Cherryholmes and new hot country artists Eric Church, Jason Michael Carroll, Ashton Shepherd and Heartland.
Though those are among the names that music fans will easily recognized, Graham said, lots of other performers, like Mountain Heart and the up-and-coming local band Houston County promise to light up the audience like the eyes of a child who found the prize inside the golden egg.
Graham said people will be coming from all over the nation, and even from around the world, to come to the festival, which will also feature arts and crafts, food vendors, and the largest outdoor saloon, possibly in the country, where more bands will continue to entertain even after the main stages have closed down. The Lo Cash Cowboys will open on Thursday, Rio Grande will entertain on Friday night and Royal Jelly from Destin, Fla., will close out the event on Saturday night.
Graham is expecting the impact on Enterprise to be significant, as is Boswell.
Local motels are reporting that they are booked up for that weekend, and restaurants and retail stores expect an increase in business.
Graham said the event is creating jobs and stimulating the local economy in a variety of ways.
He said Gilley is “putting it on the line” to bring the unique event to Coffee County.
“It’s a multi-million expense just to bring the artists here,” Graham said. But he and Gilley believe in the project and they believe it’s worth the effort.
“Ronnie has faith in the people of the southern part of Alabama,” Graham said. “Everybody in the industry says we’re going to fail by putting this on where we’re putting it on.”
He encourages everyone in the region to come out and support the concert.
“It’s in their backyard. They’re going to get out and make this successful,” Graham said. “We’re going to show the rest of the country this is how we do it down in Dixie.”
Boswell said everyone is on the same team when it comes to seeking local success for the area.
“I can’t say enough about Ronnie Gilley and his efforts to promote the city of Enterprise and all of Coffee County,” Boswell said. “We should all pitch in and do everything we can to make (Bama Jam) a success.”
Boswell encouraged local residents to go out and support the concert by enjoying the wealth of music available, and he asked that everyone show kindness and good will toward the visitors to the community.
Graham said RGP and the producers of the concert are doing everything possible to ensure that the event is enjoyable and safe. The Sheriff’s Department and city police officers will be providing security, along with Army National Guard members and volunteers.
The Coffee County Emergency Management Agency has been involved with the planning. EMA and Fire Department personnel will be on hand. Cool zones will also be set up for those who get overheated, Graham said.
Traffic control and parking has been planned.
Handicapped parking is available and golf carts will be carting people from the parking lots to the main gate.
Activities are also planned for the youngsters, Graham said.
“This is going to be a blast,” he said. “We want everyone to come out and enjoy it.”
Tickets can be purchased online at www.bamajammusicfestival.com. Tickets are also available at Prestige Construction, O’Reilly Auto Parts, or the ITR Office on Fort Rucker.
Graham cautioned anyone who may be buying tickets from individuals to be careful because tickets purchased through the website cannot be duplicated.
He advised that tickets be purchased through official outlets only.
©Southeast Sun 2009
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Current Opinions
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Dec, 31 2008 I have never attended bama june jam. I always go to cma concert in Nashville. Please send me information on lodging, ticket prices etc. Where it is located. I want to attend 2009 bama jam Thanks! glenda wilkins
Name: glenda wilkins
E-Mail:glendaw1971@yahoo.com
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Jun, 04 2008 The Wiregrass is very proud that Bama Jam has attracted some legendary artists--is it too much to ask that their names be spelled correctly? Lynyrd Skynyrd is the correct spelling, not Lynard Skynard. This is the second time I've seen Lynyrd Skynyrd spelled wrong; will you please correct it in the next paper?
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