Kenny in NOLA and more FREE GAS!!

Got a busy week ahead of us at WXBM! We have a bunch more chances for you to win a $50 gas card and qualify for that 7 day Country Cruise from Pace Coins all week. More on that later.

Just a couple things of interest in the news this week. Heard Zac Brown Band is done with their new project called "Uncaged".  When asked to describe his new music, Zac said "It's your basic country-Southern rock-bluegrass-reggae-jam record". Thanks for not being vague Zac!! Just kidding. Sounds like the ZBB will keep things hush-hush until the July 10th release date. Also just heard that The Band Perry is about half done with work on the follow-up to their self-titled debut CD. While The Band Perry continues to work on their new stuff, they'll also be out on the road with Brad Paisley, opening up for him this summer. A quick reminder about a few new CD's that are coming out in the next few weeks:

June 5th - Alan Jackson "Thirty Miles West" "Uncaged".
June 12th - Josh Turner "Punching Bag"
June 19th - Kenny Chesney "Welcome to the Fishbowl"

Also, if you want to see Kenny in concert with Tim McGraw on the Brothers of the Sun tour, your roadtrip just got a little shorter. The boys added the Louisiana Superdome to their tour schedule! They'll play NOLA on August 3rd. Tickets on sale Saturday, June 9th through Ticketmaster.

It's another week of FREE GAS from Pace Coins and Your Country 102.7 WXBM! Listen all week for us to tell you to call in and win! When the time comes, caller 25 will win a free $50 gas card, and caller 26 will be qualified to go on a 7 day Country Cruise in October with Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins, Neal McCoy and Easton Corbin!! Congrats to all of our winners so far, and good luck to you as we play again this week from Pace Coins in Pace and in East Brewton and WXBM! Its also a "Win 'em before you can buy 'em" week for tickets to see Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Drake White! That show will be August 25th at the Wharf in Orange Beach, and tickets won't be on sale until this Friday, June 1st, but you can win 'em all week long on Your Country 102.7 WXBM!

As always, thanks for listening to WXBM! We appreciate ya. Have a great week.

FREE GASOLINE!

Wanna win some FREE gasoline?  Of course!  Who doesn't??  All week long on Your Country 102.7 WXBM we'll let you know when to call in to win a free $50 gas card from Pace Coins.  When it's time to play, caller 25 will get the gas card and caller 26 will be qualified for a second chance drawing to go on a 7 day Country Cruise in October with Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins, Neal McCoy and Easton Corbin!  Congrats to everyone who won and qualified today, and we'll have a bunch more chances for you to win all week long from Pace Coins in Pace and in East Brewton, and Your Country 102.7 WXBM!

Couple other quick TV things here.  Looks like ABC picked up two shows that country music listeners may have some interest in.  The one that jumped out at me is called "Nashville".  It's a fictional drama about life behind the scenes of an established country singer, and a rising star.  ABC recently released a trailer for the series, and it looks pretty good: 

I have always been curious about what goes on "behind the scenes" that artists have to deal with, so I may try to catch the first couple episodes of this show.  I'm sure there will be a lot of fictional drama in the series, but I'd be willing to bet that they'll have story lines that are based on actual events.  Could be interesting.  "Nashville" will be a one-hour weekly series beginning this fall on ABC.  I'll get you more info when it's available.  Another show that ABC picked up for this fall is a sitcom called "Malibu Country" starring Reba.  I wrote about this a couple weeks ago after they shot the pilot episode and were waiting to hear if the network would pick it up, and now we know they grabbed it.  Here's the trailer for Malibu Country:

As far as I know there is no date set in stone for either show.  All I heard was that ABC will air Nashville "this fall" and Malibu Country "Friday's, this fall".  I'll keep you posted. 

That's it for this week!  Hope you get a chance to call in & win the gas cards from Pace Coins!  Thanks for listening and have a great week. 

Community events calendar & volunteer opportunities

Since there's not much going on in the world of country music this week, I figured it would be a good time to look at the community calendar and highlight a few organizations who need volunteers.

May 17th
Evenings in Olde Seville Square: 2012 marks the 25th and final year for this great concert series. Join WXBM every Thursday evening through August 2nd for a free, family concert. Here is your complete lineup:

May 17th Pensacola Civic Band
May 24th Kit Lough
May 31st Perdido Brass / The Guffman Trio
June 7th Heritage
June 14th Reunion Band
June 21st 151st Army Band
June 28th Mr. Big and the Rhythm Sisters
July 5th Don Snowden’s Big Band with Holly Shelton...
July 12th The Sawmill Band
July 19th The Lisa Kelly/JB Scott Quintet
July 26th The Swingin’ Dick Tracys
Aug 2nd Clark and Company

If you have any questions, give us a call at WXBM or look them up on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/1027wxbm#!/pages/Evenings-in-Olde-Seville-Square/101680083581

May 19th
Humane Society Doggy Bathe-in: This is a great way to keep (or get) your mutts clean and flea-free! It's a low cost way for you to bathe and groom your dogs and get them a flea dip. Fleas are expected to be worse than normal this year due to the mild winter. The bathe-in will be going on from 9-2 on the third Saturday of the month until October. For more info call: 850-432-4250

Grace Lutheran Church Rummage Sale: Shop the annual rummage sale Saturday from 7am - 11am to support youth missions and events. GLC is at 6601 North 9th Ave (just south of Creighton across from the fire station). More info: 850-476-5667

May 26th
Harold Volunteer Fire Department: Join Harold VFD for their fish fry fundraiser. More info: 850-983-8564

July 27-29th
Boo Weekley's Camp Compass Golf Scramble: Boo's 10th annual charity golf tournament is moving to Hidden Creek Golf Club in Navarre this year! Saturday's golf tournament is full, but you can still come out for the live & silent auction Friday night. They will have a TON of different stuff again this year....you'll find something. Then head out Saturday after the golf tournament to see Larry the Cable Guy and Gary Allan! Boo knows how to have a good time, so be sure to head that way in July. More info: http://booweekley.com/

Also, if you have time and would like to volunteer, here's a list of folks that could really use a hand:

Northwest Florida Blood Services: Donating blood is a tough sell because so many people are uncomfortable around needles. You always hear us telling you that blood donors are needed because there is no substitute for blood. It cannot be created and it cannot be stored for long periods of time. Shelf life is a couple weeks for blood, and only a couple days for blood platelets. Yes, it takes time and yes, it can be somewhat uncomfortable, but it really is worth it. If you would like to get more info or schedule a donation, call: 850-473-3853 or go to www.nfbcblood.org

Habitat For Humanity: Can you hammer a nail in a board? If so, you are qualified to help! The great thing about working with HFH is that you don't need prior experience to help out.  They have site directors who will help you learn how get the job done.  Is it hard work? Yes. Is it rewarding to help build someone else's house? Absolutely. If you would like to volunteer, call: 850-434-5456

Ronald McDonald House: RMH is looking for individual or groups of volunteers to do everything from cook meals for families to doing light house chores like taking out the trash, vacuuming, sweeping etc. RMH houses families whose children are facing extended hospital stays. If you would like to volunteer, call: 850-477-2273

Children's Home Society: CHS is looking for volunteers to mentor young people between the ages of 14-21. If you would like to help out, call: 850-494-5975

Trauma Intervention Programs: TIP is a group of specially trained volunteers to counsel people immediately after a traumatic event. They have an extensive training program, an anyone can volunteer. More info: http://www.tip-ser.org/

Lots of stuff going on and plenty of volunteer opportunities await! I left the best contact info I could find, and of course if you ever have any questions you can call us at Your Country 102.7 WXBM. Thanks for listening! Have a great week!

Bonfire Jam on the Beach

Just a few more days till Bonfire Jam on the Beach!  Kudos to the BFJ crew for putting a great show together....it's gonna be an awesome day!  Whenever there is a big event like this, we get quite a few different questions in the studio about what you can & can't bring, what time, who's playing when etc, so I'll knock some of those questions out right quick.

Here's a quick list of things that are on the "NO" list:
-Coolers/food
-Pets
-Knives/weapons (duh)
-Musical instruments
-Tents & flags
-Video cameras
-Professional cameras

Couple other things that may help you out
-Bonfire Jam box office opens at 11am Saturday and you can buy tickets at the gate
-Gates open at noon
-Kids 7 years old & younger get FREE with accompanying adult - in general admission area only, not reserved seating
-Bonfire Jam ends at midnight
-Waterways will be restricted in front of the concert area
-Parking passes are $20 and parking will be on a first come, first served basis and parking passes MUST be displayed in your vehicle's window all day
-ATM's will be available at the show

A bunch of folks have called in wanting to know what's the best time to get there, and it really depends on who you want to see.  If you want to see the entire show, you'll probably want to get there before noon.  Carpool if possible, and expect traffic delays.  Heaviest traffic is expected to be between 4-7pm, so just plan ahead on that.

And finally, here's the official Bonfire Jam on the Beach lineup:
3:30  Sunny Sweeney
4:45  Brett Eldredge
6:00  Josh Thompson
7:30  Craig Morgan
9:15  Ronnie Dunn

Be sure to listen to Your Country 102.7 WXBM this week to win FREE tickets!!  It looks like the weather will be perfect for a full day on the beach this Saturday, so we hope to see you down there for the show!  Hope that helps answer some questions you may have.  If not, give us a call in the studio or go to http://www.bonfirejam.com/ and see their FAQ section.  If I missed anything you may get the answer on their site.

Eric Chruch vs. reality

Eric Church is my man.  I love his attitude, his music and most of all I like his songwriting.  However, I can't back my man on his recent comments in a Rolling Stone interview where he blasts Blake Shelton and some other very talented artists.  Here's what he said, and I'll let you fill in the blanks because he used some colorful language.  First he said that if you try out for a reality show like American Idol or The Voice, you are not a "real" artist.  About country music, Eric said, "It’s become American Idol gone mad. Honestly, if Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green _______ turn around in a red chair, you get a [record] deal? That’s crazy. I don’t know what would make an artist do that. You’re not an artist”.  And then came his dig at Blake:  “If I was concerned about my legacy, there’s no _______ way I would ever sit there [and be a reality-show judge]. Once your career becomes something other than the music, then that’s what it is. I’ll never make that mistake. I don’t care if I _______ starve”.

First of all, Eric is NOT the first singer to speak out against reality show singers who end up with record deals, and here's the beef they have.  Use your imagination for a second.  Pretend that you're on summer vacation between your Jr & Sr year in high school and you see this awesome truck that you want, and you decide to go out and earn it.  All you can think about is how cool you'll look pulling in the parking lot on the first day of school in your new jacked up truck, so you work every possible second of your summer vacation and sacrifice & save every penny so you can earn enough money to buy your dream truck and impress everyone.  Then, you roll in on the first day of school and see that the kid with the rich daddy went out and bought him a brand new truck that is even better than yours and he didn't earn it.....daddy just went out and bought it for him and now he's getting the attention that you though you were gonna get.  There's a certain amount of pride in earning something in life.  Most country stars, like Eric, move to Nashville with a dream and they grind it out in clubs & bars and they compete for (literally) years & years with other very talented people just for the opportunity to get a record deal.  Then there are these reality contestants who just show up to an audition, impress some judges to get on a TV show and they're an instant star with a record deal within a matter of weeks.  They didn't grind it out in Nashville or work two jobs AND play the clubs & bars 7 nights a week for five years.  They had it handed to them.  I believe that's the issue.  The problem with that logic is that there's no wrong way to accomplish your dreams.   The other problem I have with what Eric said is that I just don't think anyone cares.  Maybe it's an unspoken grudge that certain artists hold against reality show singers, but at the end of they day, personally, I don't care how someone got a record deal.  I care about good music, and I find it hard to believe that there's an abundance of singers in Nashville who are losing out on record deals because of reality show singers.

It's no secret that Eric is verrry opinionated.  Just a few weeks ago I wrote that I believe he is a modern day "outlaw" in country music, and his Rolling Stone interview is proof of that.  He doesn't care what people think about him or what he has to say.  Eric is concerned about one thing:  music.  That's all.  Even though I think he could have picked better words for that interview, I believe that Eric really is a true artist.  By that I mean if he had never received a record deal, or moved to Nashville, he would still be writing and playing music somewhere because that's what he loves to do.  Whether it's in front of 20,000 people or in front of 20 people.  Eric comes off looking petty and a little insecure with his comments.  If I were a Public Relations rep for Eric or any other celebrity, I'd steal a line from my old man and tell them "Just because you have an opinion, doesn't mean that anyone wants to hear it".  Nobody cares about your little grudges or your politics.  Sing your songs, earn your paycheck and keep your mouth shut.

FREE Alan Jackson Tix and the Workday Getaway!!

NBC's Today Show has announced the lineup for their Summer Concert Series, and there are a few big name country stars on it.  Look for The Band Perry to perform June 1st, Kenny Chesney will be on there June 22nd and Zac Brown Band on July 13th.  For a look at the full lineup, click here:  http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/47105545/ns/today-toyota_concert_series/t/usher-maroon-perform-today-summer-concerts/

Speaking of Kenny, he & Tim McGraw just released the official video for their duet "Feel Like A Rock Star".  Here it is:

Carrie Underwood is all set to release her new CD "Blown Away" on May 1st and she'll be making the rounds to promote it in the next few weeks.  The latest additions to her calendar, The Late Show with David Letterman next Monday, April 30th and she'll be performing at the Billboard Music Awards May 20th.  Carrie also has 5 nominations for the CMT Music Awards which will be June 6th, and I wouldn't be surprised if she ended up performing at that show too! 

Got a couple fun contests going on this week.  We'll continue to give away the Workday Getaway trips from Butler U-Pull-It this week.  Listen to Marty & Lindsey Marie weekday mornings at 9:20 and they'll tell you what the Workday Getaway Song of the Day is AND they'll tell you when it will play.  When that song plays, be the 25th caller to win a getaway to the destination of your choice:  Atlanta, Gatlinburg, St. Augustine, Nashville or Savannah.  We'll take care of your hotel stay, give you tickets to local attractions and some spending cash if you win.  We also have a second chance drawing for you if you happen to be the 26th caller on this contest.  Caller 26 will be registered to go to the Coke Zero 400 in Daytona on July 7th from Curb Records! 

The other big contest this week is FREE ALAN JACKSON TICKETS!  Just listen throughout the day and we'll let you know when to call in, or just listen to Marty & Lindsey Marie at 6:30 each day this week and they'll tell you the hour that we'll be giving the tix away!  Pretty easy stuff! 

Good luck on those contests and thanks for listening to Your Country 102.7 WXBM!

Brad new CD and the Workday Getaway!!!

The other day, Brad Paisley took to Twitter to let his fellow "tweeters" know he's working on a new CD and fans in to studio with him!  I was glad to hear that he's working on a new project, but kinda bummed at the same time because there are some really good songs on his current CD "This Is Country Music" that will not be released as singles.  Songs like A Man Don't Have To Die, Don't Drink The Water and I Do Now.  Can't say for sure that he won't release one of those songs before the new one comes out, but whenever an artist is in the studio, that means a new single will soon follow.  Can't wait to hear what Brad has lined up for us on his new CD.  No release date is set yet, but I'll keep you posted.  Here's that video of Brad in studio:

Brad's not the only one with a new project in the works.  There are quite a few superstars with new music on the way.  Here's the list:

May 1st
Carrie Underwood - "Blown Away"

June 5th
Alan Jackson - "Thirty Miles West"

June 12th
Josh Turner - "Punching Bag"

June 19th
Kenny Chesney - "Welcome to the Fishbowl"

In addition, Jason Aldean has confirmed that his new project is DONE, but no release date set.  Taylor Swift and Keith Urban have also confirmed that they are working on new material.  As always, I'll get you the info when I get it.

Congrats to Lady Antebellum's Dave Hayward and his new wife Kelli!  They got hitched over the weekend.

Need to get away?  WXBM and Butler U Pull It have a chance for you to win a Workday Getaway!  Listen to Marty & Lindsey Marie each weekday at 9:20am and they'll give you the Song of the Day AND the time that it will play (how easy is that???) and when the song plays be the 25th caller at 850-310-9102 or 800-626-WXBM to win a Workday Getaway!  If you're the 25th caller, you can choose a trip to Atlanta, Savannah, St. Augustine, Nashville or Gatlinburg.  We'll take care of the hotel, give you some spending cash and tickets to local attractions!  There's also a second chance drawing with this contest.  Call 25 wins the trip, and caller 26 will qualify to win a trip to the Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race in Daytona from Curb Records and Your Country 102.7 WXBM!  Good luck with those contests and thanks for listening to Your Country 102.7 WXBM!!