Check out this video of Ashley Briggs in the recording studio singing her version of Laura Bell Bundy’s “Two Step” and tell us what you think! She even rapped Colt Ford’s verse!
Nov 102013
Nov 082013
99.9 Kiss Country (WKIS) will be announcing the 2014 Chili Cookoff lineup at 7am on November 25th! One of the biggest single-day country music festivals in the nation, the Chili Cookoff draws fans from all around the country for this all-day event that over the years has featured some of the biggest names of the past, present, and future.
Last year’s lineup featured Luke Bryan, Ronnie Dunn, Thompson Square, Florida Georgia Line, and Kacey Musgraves. The show sold out well in advance, as did the year before with a lineup that featured the Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Clay Walker, Chris Cagle, and Sonia Leigh.
While we have no idea who will be on the lineup for 2014, (nor would we announce it until after our friends at the radio station make the big unveiling on-air), it’s always fun to try to guess who will be on the lineup, and this year offers up some exciting possibilities!
Several factors go into booking a show such as this, and sometimes there are clues as to who it can be, and sometimes someone comes out of left field. Earlier this year, Luke Bryan, Thompson Square, and Florida Georgia Line were featured on a tour together, and as 3 of the hottest names in country music right now, it made sense that they brought them in as a package deal.
The year before, Luke Bryan played a couple hours up the road the night before, so from an artist routing perspective, it made perfect sense to have him make the short trip. On the other hand, Ronnie Dunn and Kacey Musgraves were brought in for the show without being on a major tour or being routed in the region before or after. It is this trick-up-the-sleeve that Kiss Country uses to fool everyone when they do their Undercover Concerts and it helps keep things interesting!
The final factor is an item often placed in contracts called a radius clause. It prevents an artist from performing within a certain distance and/or time-frame of another previously booked performance, so if someone played in South Florida in the last 3-6 months, you can likely cross them off the list.
So lets look at it from a routing perspective and see if we can identify some possibilities.
It was announced yesterday that Alan Jackson will be playing a show a couple hours west out in the Everglades the night before. He is a Chili Cookoff veteran and would be a fan-favorite to anchor a lineup once again.
Brad Paisley has a show in Orlando the night before, and would also make a great headliner. I doubt they’d be able to get both Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley on the same lineup, so my guess is that one of these two could be the headliner.
An intriguing list of names comes into play from Port Everglades, where the Country Music Cruise comes back to shore the morning of the Chili Cookoff, offering up a nice list of names to choose from that will already be in town. Some of the possibilities on this list include Vince Gill, Kenny Rogers, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Patty Loveless, Jo Dee Messina, Ronnie Milsap, Restless Heart, Andy Griggs, Wade Hayes, Ty Herndon, Andy Griggs, Wade Hayes, Jamie O’Neal, The Warren Brothers and Bryan White.
Another possibility is bringing the Roots and Boots acoustic tour down to be in the middle of the lineup. This tour features Joe Diffie, Aaron Tippin, and Sammy Kershaw and will be stopping the night before a few hours up the road in Lake City. If they did bring them in, it’s uncertain whether they would play a full band show and take up 3 of the 5 slots, or if they’d do what they did with Sawyer Brown several years ago (they backed several artists in one set including Carolyn Dawn Johnson) and have the trio serve as one of the five slots.
Merle Haggard has some shows in Florida during the week after and would be an interesting addition if they wanted to go with a “legends” themed show this year. Marty Stuart will also be performing in Florida the night before, but I don’t think he has enough commercial appeal for an event this big.
Some other possibilities that will be on tour at the time, but not necessarily in the region include The Band Perry w/ Easton Corbin, Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum w/ Kip Moore and Kacey Musgraves, etc.
While I would absolutely LOVE to see it be a “Throwback” lineup of Alan Jackson, Kenny Rogers, a trio of Joe Diffie, Aaron Tippin, and Sammy Kershaw together in an acoustic jam session, and two other 90’s stars from the cruise ship, it’s more likely that some “current” hot stars will be brought in instead.
While we can make some educated guesses, there’s no way of knowing until the official announcement is made. So who do you think will be on the lineup this year? Who would you like to see?
Nov 072013
“GRIDIRON GRILL-OFF” APP AND SPONSOR PROMOTIONS LEAD THE WAY FOR “JOHN OFFERDAHL’S BROWARD HEALTH® GRIDIRON GRILL-OFF FOOD, WINE & TAILGATE FESTIVAL” ON NOVEMBER 9th
The countdown is on for “John Offerdahl’s Broward Health® Gridiron Grill-Off Food, Wine & Tailgate Festival” with a new “Gridiron Grill-Off” smart phone app and sponsor promotions offering discounted and free event tickets. This highly anticipated charity event, which pairs Miami Dolphins legends with top South Florida chefs in the ultimate culinary competition, also features a live concert, tailgate zone and more on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater, 1806 N.E. 6th Street, Pompano Beach.
“As we come into the final stretch, we are excited about the new opportunities for people to get involved with the event this year,” said John Offerdahl, event founder and former Miami Dolphins All-Pro Linebacker. “The smart phone app and sponsor promotions help build momentum for this one-of-a-kind event sure to offer a great time, while supporting local charitable causes.”
Food and football fans alike can download the “Gridiron Grill-Off” app to their smart phones for a sneak peek of the fine-dining, grilled signature dishes to be prepared by the Miami Dolphins and top chefs teams as part of the Grand Grill-Off. The app also offers the opportunity to check out the complete event schedule, enter for the chance to win weekly prizes (including event tickets) and learn about the “Gridiron Grill-Out,” a restaurant preview program going on now which features a sampling of the great menu items to be offered during the main event.
Event sponsors are also sweetening the deal with various promotions, including $10 off tickets to the Grand Grill-Off at participating Walgreens locations throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Walgreens shoppers can also redeem their Coca-Cola MyCokeRewards points in-store for event tickets.
Bud Light and the Miami Herald are offering free tickets to see four-time Academy of Country Music Nominee Lee Brice and American Young during a concert sponsored by your local Toyota and Scion dealers. Consumers can visit the Bud Light displays in participating Walgreens and Publix locations or scan a QR code in the Miami Herald event ads for the chance to win tickets. The winner will also enjoy a VIP meet and greet with Brice, who will take center stage beginning at 7 p.m.
The Grand Grill-Off will allow attendees aged 21 and older to watch as the celebrity teams create winning signature dishes. It will be a food lover’s event with past menu items such as #69 Sims’ BBQ Swordfish, #25 Oliver’s Sea scallops wrapped with Prosciutto and New York Strip steak, #85 “Super Duper’s” Skirt Steak, #23 Stradford’s Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps, #40 Anderson’s Grilled Lobster Roll and #91 Cross’s Mahi Mahi Tacos to be paired with a selection of Kendall-Jackson wines.
Guests will sample similar dishes, plus look on as former Miami Dolphin Troy Stradford teams up with Chef Greg McGowan of Pelican Landing at Hyatt Regency Pier 66 to defend their title as winners of last year’s competition. Other favorite Dolphins legends include Zach Thomas and Joe Rose, and popular restaurants include Council Oak Steaks & Seafood at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Palme d’Or / Fontana / Cascades at The Biltmore. Guests will also look on as Guy Harvey, world-renowned marine artist, environmentalist and creator of the official event T-shirt design, joins S3 Restaurant to create a healthy and tasty Lionfish Moqueca dish.
Adding to the excitement, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Tailgate Zone will engage football fans with a spirited cornhole and bean bag competition. Guests of this free admission part of the event can view current University of Florida, Florida State University and University of Miami football games at the Budweiser Build-a-Bar. Others will enjoy South Florida’s first-ever EGGfest presented by Smithfield Foodservice will feature Big Green Egg enthusiasts from across the country, looking to show off their skills on the iconic outdoor grill.
Tickets for the Grand Grill-Off are $75 each (age 21+), EGGfest tickets cost $15 each, concert tickets start at $20 each and the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Tailgate Zone is free and open to the public. Guests can also purchase a combination ticket for $89, which includes access to the Grand Grill-Off, Lee Brice concert and tailgate zone. 100% of event net proceeds will benefit Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation, which directs funds to agencies that “feed the needs of kids in crisis” including 4KIDS of South Florida, HOPE South Florida, Here’s Help, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and the Miami Dolphins Foundation. For tickets and information, visit www.gridirongrilloff.com.
This tribute to football, food and charity is sponsored by Broward Health and in part by Walgreens. Other great sponsors contributing to the success of this event include Allegiance Crane & Equipment, Advanced Roofing, Allied Kitchen & Bath, American Striper, Auto Nation Foundation, Beasley Broadcast Stations, Blue Rhino, Batts, Morrison, Wales & Lee, P.A.,, CBS Outdoor, Cheney Brother’s, City of Pompano, Clear Channel, Coca-Cola, Comcast Spotlight, Culinary Concepts, DSK Group, Inc.,Eyes on News (South Florida Edition), Fine Design Awards, Gold Coast Magazine, Guy Harvey, Impact Imagery Group, Kendall-Jackson, Ken’s Salad Dressing, Lifestyle Magazine, Marriott Pompano Beach, The Miami Dolphins Foundation, Miami Herald, National Christian Foundation of South Florida, Northwestern Mutual, Ocean Spray, The Orange Bowl, PNC Bank, Premier Beverage Co., Publix, ReachFM, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Smithfield Food Service, Snyder-Lance, SocialBuzzTV.com , Southeast Toyota Dealers, Sunshine Cleaning, Sweet Street Desserts, Tag Heuer, Templeton & Company, Three Olives Vodka, Two B Printing, Unique Rabbit Studios, USA Parking System, The Wasie Foundation, Zion Lutheran Church and School and Zmotion.
Nov 052013
photo by Leslie Paczosa
Kellie Pickler will be performing in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, November 16th for the St. John’s Town Center Holiday Spectacular! The event starts at 2pm, and she takes the stage at 7pm.
Her new album hits stores on Monday, November 11th, so in support of the new release, she will be having an album signing after her show! For more information, visit the mall’s website here.
Oct 302013
The 2013 Live Nation Mega Ticket concert season came to a close this past Saturday, October 26th as Luke Bryan brought his Dirt Road Diaries tour to the Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach. Coincidentally, this was also the close of his tour, which featured Florida Georgia Line and Thompson Square as the opening acts.
Usually the crowd trickles in during the opening acts, not filling the seats and lawn until just before the headliner takes the stage. This wasn’t the case on this beautiful clear night, as the crowd filed in early to catch Florida Georgia Line, who are one of the hottest acts in all of music thanks to the success of their hits “Cruise,” “Get Your Shine On,” and “Round Here.” Their meteoric rise is unprecedented…it wasn’t that long ago that they were an unsigned band that was popular regionally…a year later and they had the longest running #1 hit country song in Billboard Music history!
photo by Mike Carroll
They kicked the show off with “It’z Just What We Do” and never slowed down as they worked the crowd with a set list of high-energy party songs. Their abbreviated set included “Party People,” “Round Here,” “Dayum, Baby,” “Get Your Shine On,” and their chart-topping “Cruise.” Before they did “Get Your Shine On,” they asked the crowd to get their cell phones out and hold them up…it was quite a spectacular scene!
photo by Mike Carroll
They interrupted “Cruise” to break into the hip hop version that Nelly helped make famous, and left the stage to a roaring ovation. While this tour is coming to an end, they are staying on the road headlining their own shows with Colt Ford opening for them. You can catch their show in Tallahassee on Saturday, November 10th.
photo by Mike Carroll
Husband-wife duo Thompson Square had to cancel their performances the previous two nights in Tampa, as Shawna was dealing with an illness, but we were fortunate enough to have her back to health and ready to perform on this night. They put on an entertaining performance showing the great chemistry you would expect from a married couple. Shawna was looking hot with a partially see-through top, and Keifer was sporting a stylish hat. Being the last night of the tour, it was only a matter of time before the pranks started, and towards the end of their set, they were surprised by some Christmas blow-up snowmen that popped up at the front of the stage!
photo by Mike Carroll
Here’s a rundown of their set list:
- That’s So Me and You
- I Got You
- Just Feels Good
- Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About (Their new single that’s rising up the charts…it currently sits at #46)
- I Won’t Back Down (Cover of Tom Petty’s hit)
- Some Nights (Cover of fun.’s hit)
- Glass (This was preceded by Shawna taking a break to talk about their role with ChildFund.org, a charity they got involved with after visiting South America.
- If I Didn’t Have You (They had quite a romantic moment at the top of the stairs of their set design, again showing their great chemistry together)
- Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not
photo by Mike Carroll
After two great performances, the moment the crowd was waiting months for finally came…the start of Luke Bryan’s set! He rose up out of the raised platform in the back of the stage as his band launched into “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye.” It didn’t take long for him to appease the female portion of the crowd, as he started to get his “Magic Mike” on with his tongue rolls and over-excessive pelvic gyrations during “Country Man.” It’s clear why he’s the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, as the crowd ate it up. It’s amazing to think that just a few short years ago he was playing at the Round Up in Davie and at the South Florida Fair in West Palm Beach.
photo by Mike Carroll
Bryan proceeded to put on a great show rolling through hit after hit, while sprinkling in some songs from his Spring Break album and some unreleased album cuts. Midway through the show he brought Florida Georgia Line out to join him for a cover of Maroon 5’s “One More Night.”
photo by Mike Carroll
The pranks continued as Thompson Square then came out to join them, except they had traded outfits with Keifer wearing the see-through top and Shawna wearing the t-shirt and hat that Keifer was wearing earlier.
photo by Mike Carroll
They all performed Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven,” before playing a fun medley of popular songs including “The Joker,” “Song of the South,” some free-style rapping by Florida Georgia Line, “Just a Friend,” Ice Ice Baby,” “Baby Got Back,” and more! You could tell they were having the time of their lives doing this, and Luke Bryan finished it off by exclaiming that they had never rehearsed any of that! To me, this was the highlight of the night…it was fun, carefree, and the crowd loved singing along to it.
photo by Mike Carroll
Bryan then took a moment to reflect on the end of the tour, thanking the bands, road crews, bus drivers, and all the others that made the tour possible. He then decided it was time for some “pickin’ and grinnin'” as a piano was brought out to the front of the stage. He started this off by saying there is one ingredient needed, and as he opened the lid off of a box or cooler (it was hard to tell from my vantage point), he was startled to find some baby alligators inside! He took them out (their mouths were taped shut) and posed with them for a minute, then got back to the script as he pulled out a bottle of moonshine and took a swig. He then passed the bottle on to the lead guitar player, starting the band introductions. The guitar player took a huge chug of the alcohol, then proceeded to “shake it” for the crowd, finishing by continuing with the theme of the night with some butt muscle flexing and clenching for the camera. The moonshine made it’s way around the piano to the rest of the band members who each took a sip as they were introduced.
Bryan riled up the crowd by taking a shot at the “sad” Miami Dolphins before getting back to his performance that ended with “All My Friends Say” (with a little bit of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” mixed in), “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).”
It was a bit surprising that he didn’t do an encore, but he did play right up until the 11pm deadline that the county imposes on the venue. I was disappointed that he didn’t perform fan-favorites “We Rode In Trucks,” “Drinkin’ Beer and Wastin’ Bullets” or “Take My Drunk Ass Home,” but overall it was a great performance, minus a little too much of the pelvic gyrations. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has many more Entertainer of the Year Awards in his future!
Luke Bryan Set List
- Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
- Country Man
- Someone Else Calling You Baby
- Rain Is A Good Thing
- Crash My Party
- That’s My Kinda Night
- Suntan City
- If You Ain’t Here To Party
- One More Night (Maroon 5 cover with Florida Georgia Line)
- Locked Out Of Heaven (Bruno Mars cover with Florida Georgia Line and Thompson Square)
- Medley of: The Joker (Steve Miller Band cover), Song of the South (Alabama cover), a freestyle rap by Florida Georgia Line, “Just a Friend” (Biz Markie cover), “Ice Ice Baby” (Vanilla Ice cover), “Baby Got Back (Sir Mix-a-Lot cover), and more (with Florida Georgia Line and Thompson Square)
- Too Damn Young
- Play It Again
- Do I
- The Only Way I Know
- Drunk On You
- All My Friends Say/Enter Sandman medley
- I Don’t Want This Night to End
- Country Girl (Shake It For Me)