FREE Luke Bryan Tix, and a few new songs I'm liking....alot

I'm going to start this post by doing something that I've been meaning to do for a while now.  Wanted to give you a heads-up on a few new songs that we're playing on WXBM.  I'm not endorsing anyone or trying to make anyone popular, just wanted to let you know what's on my radar for good, new music. 

First is "This Ole Boy" by Craig Morgan.  I guess it's not all that new, but I still really like it and crank it whenever it comes on.  If I were ever talented enough to write a song for my wife, it would probably be something like This Ole Boy.  Love it.  By the way, Craig is coming to town in May.  More on that later.  Next on the list is "Goodbye Made You Mine" from JT Hodges.  Love that song.  It kinda reminds me of "Bless The Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts, but it's more upbeat & catchy.  Also really liked JT's debut song "Hunt You Down".  Another good one is "Wanna Make You Love Me" by a new guy named Andy Gibson.  Not much to it, just a good song.  And finally Josh Thompson's "Comin' Around".  I really connect with this song because I wasn't crazy about country music when I was growing up, I moved out of my small hometown the day after (literally, the day after) graduating from high school, and over the last 10 years I have enjoyed sitting in a church pew on Sunday mornings.  Now days I go to church because I want to, not because I have to.  You could say, I'm comin' around.  Give those songs a listen if you get time. 

I mentioned that Craig Morgan will be coming to Pensacola.  He has been added to the lineup for Bonfire Jam on the Beach, May 12th along with Ronnie Dunn, Sunny Sweeney and Brett Eldridge.  Tickets are on sale now at http://www.bonfirejam.com/  General admissions tix are $37.50, and there are a couple other ticket options, so be sure to get to their site and check it out. 

Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban have been added to the list of performers for this Sunday's ACM Awards!  Not sure what Keith will be singing, but Carrie announced that she will be singing her new single "Good Girl".  Those two are added to a list of performers that includes:  Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, Chris Young, The Band Perry and quite a few more.  Blake and Reba will host the show again this year....7pm, April 1st on CBS. 

Look for Sugarland to perform a couple songs on Dancing With The Stars tomorrow (3/27) on ABC.  They'll perform "Run" with pop singer Matt Nathanson and then later in the show they'll do a new song called "Find The Beat Again".  I haven't seen DWTS this year, but I'm on Team Urkel, aka Jaleel White.  Can't help but feel sorry for him because when he's 80 years old people will still remember him as that dork Steve Urkel from Family Matters.  Go get 'em Urk!!!

FREE LUKE BRYAN TICKETS!!  All week long, we're going to post two Luke Bryan trivia questions on our facebook page (www.facebook.com/1027wxbm) .....one in the morning, and one in the midday, then between 2-7pm I'll ask for you to call in and give me the answers.  If you are the correct caller and can answer both questions, you'll win a pair of tickets to see Luke with James Otto and Frankie Ballard at the Wharf in Orange Beach, April 14th from Your Country 102.7 WXBM!

Thanks for listening to WXBM!  Have a great week.

FREE ACM invitations!!

Rascal Flatts recently revealed that they plan to open a chain of restaurants in an effort to expand their brand and give fans something different.  That's pretty much all they're saying though.  They didn't give any info on what name they'll give their restaurant, what type of food they'll serve, locations or opening dates.  We'll keep you posted on that.  Also, don't forget the guys have a new CD "Changed" coming out April 3rd.

Ever since Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert got married I have been wondering how long it would be before they tour together, and the answer is......not anytime soon.  Blake says that it's something that has been discussed but they're nowhere near mapping it out right now.  He joked that he would love to tour the same way George Strait does, "....go out and do 15 shows a year, flip Nashville the bird, and say ‘I’ll see you next year'".  He did say that he's already working on new material and is considering releasing a Christmas CD this year.  Kim & I have been watching him on The Voice this year, and really enjoying the show.  You can catch it Monday at 7pm on NBC.

Kenny Chesney will debut a brand new song on the ACM award show Sunday, April 1st!  He hasn't released the name of the song or album yet, but we do know that Kenny's new CD will be released on June 19th.

Speaking of the ACM's, WXBM will be hosting the annual ACM award show party at Sam's Fun City the night of the show.  This is an invitation only event, so here's what you do if you want to go....send us an email with your name & home address:  bmack@pamal.com  and we'll send you a four pack of invitations.  We are only allowed to give out a certain amount of invitations, so be sure to shoot us an email if you want to go.  If you've never been to one of our parties, Sam's Fun City will serve free food and soft drinks, the park will be open if the kids want to ride the rides (wristbands are $10), we'll give out a bunch of prizes and show the ACM award show on the HUGE screen out at Sam's Fun City.  Big thanks to Dan's Satellites in Pace for the satellite feed.  Dress is casual.  If you have any questions, give us a call in the studio.  Hope to see you there!

As always, thanks for listening to Your Country!  Have a great week.

Eric the Outlaw

First things first, wanted to say "thank you" to everyone who helped out with this year's Children's Miracle Network Radiothon at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital.  Your donations totaled almost $55,000!!  Again, thank you for your generous gifts from SHCH and all of us at Your Country 102.7 WXBM. 

The Eric Church show at the Wharf was AWESOME!  I cannot believe how many people were out there.  What a crowd.  Eric is one of just a few artists on today's radio that I'm really a fan of.  I really enjoy his songwriting on stuff like:  These Boots, Before She Does, Livin' Part of Life, Without You Here, Keep On and especially Lotta Boot Left To Fill.  His best songs are songs that you'll never hear on the radio.  I hate to throw the word "Outlaw" around because that's sacred ground in country music, but in today's country music I have no problems saying that Eric Church is an outlaw.  I don't see Eric as an artist that is all that concerned with pleasing the Nashville "suits" or keeping up with the latest trends.  I get the impression that Eric writes what he feels and if people like it, they like it and if not, well, that's just too bad.  I just read that he signed on to play BamaJam in June, so if you wanna road-trip, you can see him again this summer. 

The Academy of Country Music just announced a bunch of new performers for the show next month.  Here's the new list:  Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, Chris Young, The Band Perry and Lady Antebellum.  Artists previously announced:  Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert and Tim McGraw.  Reba and Blake Shelton will host the show again this year and we will host our annual ACM Award Show Party at Sam's Fun City on Sunday, April 1st.  As we get closer to the show we'll have chances for you to call in and win your invitations. 

Trisha Yearwood's new cooking show "Trisha's Southern Kitchen" will premiere next month.  Trisha has had this in the works for quite a while and she's excited to get the show on air.  She says she looks forward to sharing family recipes, photos and stories on her new show which will debut April 14th on The Food Network.

BEULAHFEST is this Friday & Saturday!!  I'll be doing the show live at the Equestrian Center on Mobile Hwy this Friday, and (probably) bringing Travis Tritt on stage at 8:30, and then Rodney Atkins will play Saturday night at 8:30.  Gates open at 4 Friday and 10am Saturday.  Be sure to keep listening to WXBM for chances to win free tickets, and stop by and see us both days at BeulahFest and get signed up to win a 4-pack of tickets to the Pepsi Next Blizzard race at 5 Flags Speedway March 23rd.  For more info, visit www.wxbm.com and click on the BeulahFest link.

Hope you have a great week!  Thanks for listening to Your Country 102.7 WXBM! 

Carrie's cover & MORE FREE TICKETS!!

Carrie Underwood is getting ready to release her new CD "Blown Away".  She just released the first single, "Good Girl" and today she unveiled the cover photo for the project:

Look for Carrie's new CD May 1st.  Kenny Chesney has a new project in the works too.  Last week he announced that his new CD will be released June 19th.  No title yet, but it'll be out this summer.

Lady Antebellum is going to prom....and it could be YOUR prom!  They just launched a contest asking high school students to submit video entries telling them why they should come to your school and play a 45 minute set at your prom this year.  Entries must be in by March 16th and the winner will be announced on March 20th.  Official rules and info here:  http://ladyantebellum.com/lady-antebellum-own-night-prom-contest-terms-conditions

Don't forget....the 14th annual Children's Miracle Network Radiothon gets underway this Wednesday!  WXBM will be broadcasting live from the lobby of Sacred Heart Children's Hospital this Wednesday through Friday and asking for your support to help the children at SHCH.  Also, thanks to Gulf Blue Vacations for donating a 7 night stay at the Pensacola Beach Club Resort & Spa on Pensacola Beach to SHCH.  There are 500 raffle tickets available for only $25/ticket.  Winner will be announced Friday at 5pm on WXBM.  To purchase a ticket (or several tickets) call 850-416-4660. 

More FREE concert tickets for you this week!  We're doing "win 'em before you can buy 'em" on tickets for Bonfire Jam on the Beach with Ronnie Dunn.  The concert will be at Casino Beach May 12th and tickets will be available this Thursday the 8th at www.bonfirejam.com for $37.50 general admission, $50 reserved seating and they will have the "Jam Box" area that includes a table for 8 people, VIP access and four reserved parking spaces for $1,500.  We also have more chances for you to score tickets to see the "Blood, Sweat & Beers" show with Eric Church and Brantley Gilbert, Saturday at the Wharf!  Just like last week, keep an eye on our facebook page:  www.facebook.com/1027wxbm.  Marty & Lindsey Marie will post a line of a Church song at 9:35am, and Lynn West will post another line from that same song at 1:35pm.  Then between 2-7pm, I'll let you know when to call in to identify the song and qualify to be Eric's photographer for the day!  If you win that you'll get to meet Eric before the show, win a camera and take pictures from "the pit" during his 2nd, 3rd & 4th songs.  Cool, right?  If you have any questions about that contest, give us a buzz in the studio.

Have a great week and thanks for listening to Your Country 102.7 WXBM!