Gilley, Jones, Morgan appear on Fox Business Channel

Local projects received a national publicity triple whammy Tuesday when Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley and country music artists Lorrie Morgan and George Jones appeared on the Fox Business Channel.

The trio plugged Country Crossing, the upcoming BamaJam Music Festival and “We Are Enterprise”, a music recording created to raise money for the new Enterprise High School.

Gilley, Morgan and Jones were interviewed by anchor Degan McDowell for about 15 minutes, then appeared on “The Strategy Room”, a FoxNews.com Web channel, for an entire hour.

Gilley was able to provide a brief update on Country Crossing, saying that construction on the George Jones Possum Holler Bed and Breakfast has begun in earnest. Gilley also said he expects Phase 1 of the development to be complete by the end of the year, with 1,200 people employed.

Gilley said he expects a portion of the Country Crossing development to operate at a loss for the first few years.

“Obviously, with such an entertainment extravaganza, a certain period of time you are going to have to operate in the red,” Gilley said. “We expect the entertainment catalyst to operate in the red five to seven years.”

Morgan said her restaurant venue at Country Crossing will be named “Hot Chickens Cafe”, and will feature her family recipe of spicy chicken.

“My family is so addicted to this chicken and all of our friends are so addicted to this chicken as well,” Morgan said.

Strategy Room anchor Courtney Friehl asked Gilley if Country Crossing would compare favorably to Branson, Mo.

Gilley described Country Crossing as an “expanded upon, modern-day version” of Branson with a country music emphasis.

“We Are Enterprise” is a compilation CD from various country music artists. The proceeds from the CD will go to the rebuilding of the new Enterprise High School. The CD is for sale and/or download at Amazon.com.