A wonderful day for music

By Debbie Ingram

Published: June 6, 2009

Mother Nature’s blessings have fallen upon BamaJam today. The weather is beautiful and the musical roster is fantastic.

In our coverage, we have tended to focus on the huge crowd of people—over 100,000—attending this festival in a field, but lest we forget, the masses come for the music. As one camper said yesterday: It’s just pretty cool at all these big dogs are in OUR backyard. Lest we forget, we do have Ronnie Gilley to thank for that.

Alan Jackson was awesome last night. Let me back up, EVERYBODY is awesome and they seem really pumped to be here. It is a bit inconceivable that today will bring Kid Rock and Brooks & Dunn. In Coffee County, Alabama.

Let me tell you what the rain and mud did Friday—it gave some good ole’ Southern boys the time of their lives pulling folks out! As Joe with BamaJam said: “It’s like Christmas Day for these Southern boys.“ Have truck, will have chain. Have truck and chain, will pull.

A neighbor of ours showed up yesterday and every time he passed someone in the crowd last night—oh, about a million times—he would simply say the words: “BamaJam!“ Which was always answered with a loud “Woo!“ “Hell yeah!“ or “BamaJam!!“

The music is certainly the reason for BamaJam, but it would be nothing with the people who came. Everyone is friendly, sharing beer and other beverages, chairs, umbrellas—thanks guy from Ashford—it is a true Southern party with Rebel flags, beach balls and red necks.

Oh, yeah, and MUD!

I can’t say enough good things about security and the BamaJam staff. With few glitches, things are running smoothly. Gilley and his staff are working around the clock. Some get 2-4 hours of sleep. Others, I think do not go to bed at all. Sleep will come next week, as they celebrate the huge success of BamaJam 2009.

If you are reading this and aren’t here yet, get out here. Tickets available at the gate. This is an event NOT to miss!

Oh, did I mention all the girls in bikini tops??? It’s a sunny day!