Well, Bam(a)! Jam Planned

2/6/2008 Melissa Coker "Where America Finds Its Voice" is Alabama's state motto, and coming soon to the state will be a very loud mix of voices indeed. Enterprise, Alabama hosts the first annual BamaJam Music & Arts Festival on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 5 – 7, 2008. Termed an "all-encompassing community and creative arts experience," the event presents 30 award winning acts from country, classic rock, alternative and bluegrass sprawling across 450 acres. Country Music Hall of Famer and Alabama native Randy Owen opens the show Thursday night, along with Little Big Town and Darryl Worley. Friday brings ZZ Top to the main stage, and Saturday sees Miranda Lambert, plus a Rowdy Frynds Tour stop - featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Jr. "This will be my first time performing in Enterprise,” says Randy. “I am really excited and honored to be kicking off BamaJam and I hope this festival will bring a lot of positive feelings and energy to a community that has been through so much." Throughout the weekend, BamaJammers can enjoy performances from a number of Bluegrass and Alternative acts including 12-time Grammy winner, Ricky Skaggs, Bluegrass great, Del McCoury, the legendary Ralph Stanley and the singing voice of George Clooney/”O Brother Where Art Thou,” Dan Tyminski. Nanci Griffith, the Grammy award winning international “Voice” of Americana and Folk, will be a very special highlight of the event--appearing on the Americana Stage Friday evening. More acts and special surprises are being added daily. Certainly, the event sounds to be a certifiable campground of music stars. Attendees are welcome to bring RV's and/or sleep under the night sky. The BamaJam Music & Arts Festival offers a variety of on-site activities in addition to the musical festivities, but above all, the sounds of music will surround Bama Village (an all-inclusive outdoor community plaza), with performances on three separate BamaJam stages. (No word yet on whether or not the hills will be alive). For fans who may be searching for country music beyond CMA Music Festival (which itself gets underway June 5 - 8), BamaJam and its players make a worthwhile choice. Plus, a portion of the proceeds benefit The Harlon Gilley Small Man Foundation, Inc. and The Jimmy Bowden Foundation, Inc., public benefit corporations created by Ronnie Gilley to help improve the lives of those in the Coffee County community and surrounding area. Tickets to BamaJam can be purchased online at www.bamajammusicfestival.com or by calling BamaJam headquarters at (877) 4BAMAJAM.