Country Crossing rally brings stars to Dothan
Jaime Foxx
A weekend rally to show support for Country Crossing will bring NFL stars, an Academy Award-winning actor and various country music entertainers to Dothan in what Ronnie Gilley is calling a mini BamaJam concert.
And it’s all free.
Oscar winning actor, comedian, and singer Jamie Foxx, country music legend Travis Tritt, recent Kennedy Center honoree George Jones and country music newcomer Jake Owen are all expected to take the stage during the 3 p.m. rally Saturday at Rip Hewes Stadium.
Tritt is expected to give a lengthy concert, based on his repertoire of hits. Owen, whose debut album in 2006 produced three hits, will also perform. Gilley said supporters can expect a “special surprise” Saturday from Foxx, which could include his singing of his current hit “Just Like Me.”
Gilley, who first proposed Country Crossing last February, has organized the rally after Gov. Bob Riley put together an anti-gambling task force that will look at the legality of electronic charitable bingo. Country Crossing is multi-million dollar country music entertainment complex with a bingo hall. It is being built on U.S. 231 south of Dothan.
“What we hope this rally accomplishes is a show of a united front,” Gilley said Tuesday. “People are coming together to support a great project. These are people from all demographics, rich and poor – a true representation of the community.
“With what has happened nationally with last year’s presidential election, people obviously want change. We want a broad audience Saturday and Jamie Foxx pulls from a broad demographic.”
Gates will open at 2:30 p.m.
Gilley Enterprises vice president of operations Billy Graham met with Dothan police and the fire marshal Tuesday, as the group sought to find the most accommodating spot for the rally. Originally, the plan was to have the rally at the Dothan Civic Center, but the facility is hosting the Dothan Eagle Bridal Show on Sunday and vendors and sponsors use Saturday to set up.
Graham said the stadium ends up being a better site anyway because it can accommodate more people. While the seating capacity at Rip Hewes is estimated at about 10,000, opening up he field puts the maximum capacity at close to 20,000, Graham said.
“We will allow as many people in as we can get in,” Gilley said.
Extra security is being provided and no tickets are being issued. Gilley said there will be a special reserved section for “supporters who have been with us from day one.”
In order to get the attention of the governor and members of the Legislature who could be faced with a bingo vote in the future, Gilley said he did consider having the rally in the Montgomery area, but decided against it.
“It’s a different environment up there and we didn’t want the governor to dig his heels in. This is a show of community support,” he said.
The only unknown factor is the weather. Current National Weather Service forecasts call for sunny skies and a high of 68 degrees.
“I would be real shocked if we didn’t pack the place out,” Graham said.
Washington Redskins tackle Cornelius Griffin, a two-time All American for the University of Alabama, will also be on hand. Other NFL starters who are not involved in playoff games, and are friends with Foxx, may also attend, Graham said.
There will also be concessions for the event, provided by the City of Dothan’s Department of Leisure Services.
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Reader Reactions
Sorry guru,
You must have come late to this party check the article from the other day, in the comments some other poster cited the independent study and the web link to it that stated an economist from the University of Illinois. I looked up the references and they checked out, you should look at them too.
Here is the link: Posted by (DoctorT ) on January 06, 2009 at 9:19 am
http://www.dothaneagle.com/dea/news/local/article/gilley_organizing_country_crossing_rally/53181/P20/
He made a lot of sense that I havn’t yet seen from the pro-gilley people.
Hey Toobad, what statistics? What study? No one I know in MS believes they are paying out $2 for every dollar spent gambling.
To answer another do-gooder, we are supporting Mr Gilley because we are tired of people like you running our state. I can remember when you couldn’t buy a gallon of milk on Sunday because all the stores had to stay closed.
If you don’t want to gamble, stay home. If gambling and bingo are so bad, why haven’t other states shut down their gambling? GA seems happy with the Lotto and so does FL. I haven’t read where there is a grassroots drive to close the MS casinos.
And when you choose to degrade George Jones, reflect a moment on those fine stewards of morality Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker.
I would like to say I do not know Mr Gilley, never met him. But if he has the nerve to stand against people like you, I’ll stand with him.
It just amazes me about Gilley. Is there anything this guy won’t say or do to get more wealth and power?
None of these so called stars save one or two live in our area but yet we’ll have to deal with all the mess from this gambling.
As for George Jones the only one that has a home (one of several not in the area) in the area he isn’t any stellar person I’d take advice from, he’s never met a DUI nor another man’s wife he didn’t like.
Proven statistics show that for every dollar made in a Casino area across the nation it costs the local economy approximatly 2 dollars.
Gilley talking about change from the election?....I guess he’s an Obama supporter now? Hey Gilley! The state and especially our area voted like 80% against Obama.
It just proves that Gilley will do anything to get what HE wants.
I’m not against CC but am definatly against bringing Gilley’s casino in our area. Ronnie, if you leave off the gambling the whole area would support it.
BTW, I like how he gets all his cronies to pack the write-in on these articles.
Makitaman, I truly believe you are misinformed. First, Rip Hewes Stadium is city property, not school property, thus the reason we have the Knowledgy press box. Second, please leave check your moral objections at the door. Who are you to say I’m wrong for supporting Country Crossing? You’re not the rock I’m standing on. My support does not require me to prove a thing to you, as does your opposition. If you want to hold an opposition rally, JUMP RIGHT IN. I’m sure you can’t rent the same venue anytime you like. While you’re at it, go ahead and pass the hat for the 10 million dollars per year that our local charities stand to lose. Also, we’ll be needing those 1000 new jobs that I’m certain you and your supporters can provide. You sound as if you know Mr. Gilley personally and that he is evil incarnate. My guess is that in reality you’ve never met the man. If you are a Christian, I ask you to reconsider an attitude that categorically labels someone who you absolutely have no knowledge of. AS for Jamie Foxx, George Jones and Travis Tritt… Yeah its a shame that they have to come here and tolerate closed-minded simpletons who believe everything the media tells them. Time to wake up and ask yourself WHY Bob Riley is doing this. Hint, hint… It involves Jack Abramoff, Rob Riley and Karl Rove. Learn for yourself if you are really a doubter!
Rip Hewes Stadium is not owed by the schools or school board. It is owned by the City of Dothan and is rentable just like the Civic Center, Opera House, Westgate or any other City venue.
Go Ronnie Gilley. We support Country Crossing and Bingo for Houston County. We need the money for our schools. We need the jobs and we need Country Crossing! It is our constitutional right to have Country Crossing right here in Houston County! People get out and show your support! What a concert he has lined up and it’s all free! I admire what you are doing for our county! We appreciate Mark Culver also! Way to go!
I think this is so wonderful! Obviously some of the money will benefit schools! This being illegal is crazy just cause alabama falls in the “bible belt” does not mean there should not be any gambling in the state! It is crazy for people to protest this!!
Well I guess I hit the nail on the head, except I think they said it was free.I’m sure they will be something for sell.I can’t believe that they are going to use school property to promote a gambling venue.Maybe they will let the kids have a fund raiser too.I can’t believe this crap do you think they would let us get away with having a rally to support what we believe in. Man this guy must be out of his mind, and the people that would let him have such a thing on school property.I am ashamed to say I live near Dothan this is got to be the lowest.People I’m sick of reading about this guy I can’t belive Travis Tritt and Jami Fox would go this low to protect their investment come on Travis I’m sure you’ll read this don’t break your fans heart just take the thing to Mississippi and be done with it. then everybody will be happy, no more excuses. I can’t wait to hear the sad speeches these guys are going to give.I can hear them now, are you going to let the governor of this state control the way you think, RG is doing this for the good of the people he’s not trying to make money off you rednecks, here let me play you a song Here’s a Quater call somone who cares.
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