Diverse talents close out BamaJam as 121,000 rock
ENTERPRISE – The day started with a rotund redneck rapper and ended with a skinny superstar known to spit a rhyme or two himself.
In between, more than 120,000 rocked to the sound of Waylon Jennings’ son; lived through the Robert Randolph experience and boot-scooted through the Coffee County grass with Brooks and Dunn.
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BamaJam organizer Ronnie Gilley said late Saturday night that 121,000 passed through the gates on Saturday alone for BamaJam 2009.
“As we said earlier in the week we felt like this was going to be a historical event,” Gilley said.
Known for its country music acts such as Alan Jackson, Blake Shelton, John Anderson and Brooks and Dunn; BamaJam branched out to draw fans of different music strands.
Thousands converged on the alternative stage Saturday evening for Randolph’s version of American funk and soul, while Colt Ford’s country rap and roll provided an appropriate kick start to BamaJam’s final day.
“Playing Bama Jam was like coming home for me,” said Ford, who grew up near Athens, Ga. “These are my folks, and I will come here every year they invite me.”
Later, on the main Verizon Wireless Stage, Jason Aldean kept fans energized with “Why” and “She’s Country”, both hitting number one on the country charts.
After Umphrey’s McGee closed down the alternative stage, people stood shoulder-to-shoulder throughout the entire amphitheater in front of the main stage to watch Brooks and Dunn, who could easily play a full concert of nothing but number one country singles. The perennial duo of the year has charted 20 top country hits.
After that, hip-hop rap-rock superstar Kid Rock ended the festival with a little “Cowboy” and “All Summer Long”.
Gilley said it would be hard to keep from having a few “hiccups” with an event of Bamajam’s magnitude, but said he was “ecstatic” about the weekend.
“We missed the worst of the weather and Saturday was beautiful,” Gilley said. “We made some changes from last year, added more coupon redemption booths. We added a bathhouse for the campers, things like that.
“We have validated ticket sales from 47 states and seven countries. It’s an economic boom and how else can you look at this as a viable industry here in Southeast Alabama?” Gilley added.
Reader Reactions
THIS IS ALSO OUR SECOND YEAR AT BAMAJAM!!! WE HAD A BLAST. GOT OUR TICKETS FOR NEXT YEAR ALREADY. CANT WAIT. I READ THAT THE PEOPLE ON THE FRONT ROWS WERE RUTHLESS.. YEAH WE WERE. BUT I WAS THERE WAY BEFORE THE GATES OPENED AND AT 5:30 AM ON SATURDAY. ALL I CAN SAY IS IF U WANT A FRONT ROW SEAT U BETTER BEAT THE CROWD. CUZ U WONT GET THROUGH US. MORE POTTYS WAS ONE THING WE NEEDED. BUT WE GOT BY. MY BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH BAMAJAM IS THAT ITS NOT IN GEORGIA… TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WERE IN OUR LITTLE CIRCLE.. WILL C YA NEXT YEAR. AND FOR RONNIE GILLEY. “THE MAN WITH THA PLAN” WTG AND KEEP DOIN WHAT YOU ARE DOIN. ALL THE COMPLAINERS .. IF U DONT LIKE IT.. DONT COME. LET THE ONES THAT ENJOY IT HAVE ALL THE FUN. WE DONT MIND A BIT IF YOU STAY HOME… UNTILL NEXT YEAR..
This is our second year attending BamaJam, and enjoyed every minutes of it.The only thing I wish they had was more portable potty’s. There were three times as many in 08. The only drawback in a place like this are the direspectfaul people..who push their way through to the front in front of people that have been there all day. They look at you like your crazy when you tell them not to get in front of you.
It was so awesome this year that I lost my voice from so much screaming and singing!!!! This year was better than last year!!! I am thankful that Ronnie Gilley had this vision, and it did come true. Looking forward to next years BamaJam!!!!!!
121,000 People… During the same time as brand new cases of swine Flu…
Better start taking your Vitamin C pronto. Nothing like close contact with 120,000 other people to spread the illness.
Well BamaJam went great again. Im really glad that they left it in Enterprise its a great venue. Some people want to have it moved to Dothan mainly people there but I beliieve it will be staying where its at. The NPF fairgrounds is not large enough to accomidate all the peeople not enough parking area and no area to set up for campers. They have spent to much money on thesite in Enterprise to move it also. There is a camping area with golf course and other amenities that cost over 1 million dollars to build. So it will be in Enterprise for years to come and thats a good thing for this city.
I for one am from Enterprise and I’m glad BamaJam calls it home. Dothan has the Peanut Festival and so many other things for a younger generation to do. Ronnie’s “Country Crossing” is also going to be close to Dothan. So it’s good to have something to attract people to such a wonderful place. I hope Ronnie plans to keep this amazing experience a part of Enterprise, Alabama for many many many years. Thanks Mr. Gilley.
I thought BAMAJAM was great but would like to know why the city Dothan is not trying to get them to bring the show here. Although it has a nice field the fair grouds would be even better for the event wake up Dothan
fathers this is some of the things we need to happon in the city of DOTHAN.
Way to go RGP! Thanks for a great time! Can’t wait ‘ti next year!
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