Arriving at BamaJam

June 05, 2008

Debbie Ingram

We pulled through Gate No. 3 of BamaJam around noon today. I arrived very mad—technological problems with the NEW camera—and soon got Very Hot, which just made me madder. I’m to that age, you know the one I mean, where the hormones are, heck, doing whatever hormones do which affects one’s disposition.

The husband said I seem to want everything my way and I said, “Well, duh!?“ Like that’s a surprise and yeah it ticks me off when the world fails to cooperate. Anyway, Eagle photographer Max O. is coming our way around 3:30ish with more equipment/quick fixes (we hope) in tow.

Sorry. I feel better now. And as a sideline I will add the husband has found a “very valid reason” I am sure, to go into Enterprise. A little distance if you please….

OK, Arriving….
On the campsite side, Ronnie Gilley’s folks have it together. It is a very smooth transition into the campgrounds—with or without campers. Some folks, like us, are already set up and are coming back while others are just arriving. There’s a check-in tent (curbside) and honestly we got our arm bands in about one minute. Nobody likes to wait especially in this heat. Check-in folks said about 500 campers/motor homes came in Wednesday. Easily.

One of the first “sights” to behold was some good ole boy who had his motor home stuck. Spinning in loose dirt. The husband called a friend who’s out here too.

“Whatcha doing?“ the husband asked.

“Watching this fella that’s stuck,“ came the reply. “You should come by. There’s a buncha people over here.“

I wish I knew how hot it is right now so I could really feel bad about it. I mean, if it’s only 92, then shut up. But if I find out later it was 99 degrees at 1:32 p.m. on Thursday, then I’m really mad.

Traffic was not heavy coming out here, but I expect it will dramatically increase as it gets closer to show time. Soon as my shirt is dry, I may head back out ... or I might just wait on Max O. It’s gotta be 96 out here.

Our closest camping buddies are in the back of a plain cargo van. They brought their grill from the backyard. They are skinny guys with their shirts on. I mention that because it is an oddity. Two security gals in a golf cart made the two move. We are against the trees, in some sort of no man’s land and everybody else who comes close to us gets run off. I am not sure why….. Perhaps they are trying to fill in the big field first.

If you are camping and you haven’t left yet, throw in an extra cooler. Put ice in it and let that be your bath tub. You’ll be glad you did. Now where’s that husband of mine…..

Headin’ east to Coffee County

Debbie Ingram

I always feel a little bit like the Jed Clampets when we load up the truck and the RV and head… wherever. Partly because I am never fully prepared. This time, I think we are.

The husband and I bought a new camping grill over the weekend and went to the grocery store to stock up on food. Tuesday afternoon, we drove the camper over to BamaJam. There were about a dozen trailers in place and while there is certainly a convenience factor in being close to the gate, and thus the events, and while Ronnie Gilley is offering media some “preferred sites” right in the thick of things next to the Bluegrass stage—my husband and I headed for the woods. We wanted a place where there was shade and one which would allow us, as much as possible, to get away from it all.

Having been to a few campgrounds, there are things you learn in terms of site selectiion. I’m no longer a part of the late-night partiers. Sleep, that’s what I want after 10. Sleep. So we found a place that could be a retreat from the heat and the people.

Talked to some camping friends last night, who arrived at the site Wednesday morning. She says there was a steady cloud of dusty campers all day Wednesday and by Wednesday night the campground was filling up.

We are packed, except for that last-minute trip to the store for bread and more diet Coke. No Coke at BamaJam—:-(—and don’t forget some bug spray. We noticed there were lots of grasshoppers and some fire ants out there Tuesday. Think sneakers.

Gotta go, the husband awaits. We should be arriving at the site just before noon.

Tell ya more when I get there.

Cya there.

Remember the song: ‘Hot fun in the summertime?‘

June 03, 2008

Debbie Ingram

The BamaJam folks can stop worrying about the weather.

Or, they can START worrying about the weather.

The first ever BamaJam Arts & Music Festival will show off all the Wiregrass has got and that includes 90 degree days. For the past week or so I’ve been checking the weather and the 10-day forecast of days ago holds pretty true. This weekend will be dry and hot.

Specifically, the high on Thursday and Friday is expected to be 94 degrees. 96 for Saturday. That’t right. 96 degrees in a dryfield. For those of you old enough and who were so convinced—- think chopping cotton or baling hay hot. No need to say as folks often do in the South, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.“ Forget that. It is for sure the HEAT!

While you can’t bring beverages in unless you are camping, be prepared to pay what it cost to stay hydrated. A good thought is water, water and more water. Beer is not a good hydrator though it can be might tasty on a hot summer day. Also remember the sunscreen, umbrella, sunscreen, cool clothing, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Ladies, this is not the day to “do” your hair and lather up with makeup. Put the hair up. Wear a cap.

For the shows, you might also wanna bring lawn chairs and binoculars. Don’t forget your point and shoot. You wanna be able to look back on BamaJam and say you were there for the first one. And here’s the pictures to prove it. Plus, you never know what funny things you might see.

There will be misters available for cooling off—I plan to take full advantage. If you’ve ever walked thorugh one of these fine sprayer tents, they are wonderful for cooling the body. Again, this is not the time to worry too much about appearance.

There will also be a couple of EMS stations, fire department folks, paramedic types .... but do what you can to stay cool.

Cya there!

In the beginning there was the land

June 02, 2008

Debbie Ingram

I made my fourth or fifth visit to the BamaJam site over the weekend, for a sponsors, family and friends party that also kinda served as a trial run for the Bama Slam Saloon. Throw the lights, hope they work.

And they did.

As my husband and I pulled up to the main gate off Boy Scout Road, there were three serious-looking security guys checking out all visitors. One approached us with a clipboard.

“Name,“ he said.

“Debbie Ingram. With the Dothan Eagle,“ I said, holding up my press badge.

We got the wave through and headed up a dusty road toward the BamaJam Village entrance.

Except for a few temporary trailers, some roads and fencing, the outdoor saloon which organizers say is bigger than a football field, a buncha generators and lights, the 600-acre portion of this total 1,200-acre parcel, still looks unchanged. It looks like farmland.

To a country girl from Mississippi, that’s a good thing!

And it is fitting. It is a fitting location for an outdoor festival that is based around three genres of music—bluegrass, country and Southern rock—which have their roots in their South. The use of these different kinds of music makes BamaJam unique, and bringing these sounds together has captured the attention of the music industry.

“All the music folks are watching to see if this works,“ Billy Graham of Ronnie Gilley Enterprises told me last week. “It’s the first time somebody put together a festival around the different genres.“

The Main Stage, just down the hill from the saloon, has a natural amphitheatre (as Ronnie Gilley’s folks like to call it). It’s where you’ll see performances by Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynrd, Hank Jr., Little Big Town, Tracy Lawrence, Trace Adkins and ZZ Top. This “amphitheatre” is a natural valley. Seating will be all up “the hill” looking down on the Main Stage. Near the stage is handicap and VIP seating. There is also a media tent and a large sponsor’s pavilion. One of two or three EMS trailers is also near the main stage.

The Alternative stage backs up to the RV campground area and the smaller Bluegrass Stage is in “The Village,“ which is home to the saloon and all the vendors. Just look for the big tree. It’s big and it’s the only one on 600 acres of open land.

Yes, we know traffic will be bad

May 30, 2008

Debbie Ingram

A reader response to a story in Friday’s Eagle on security measures being taken at BamaJam read:

“You’ve got to be kidding me…traffic has got to be the biggest concern in my view. Why in the world they chose this site, nothing but two lane roads, is a mystery to me. I predict that this one problem will be the downfall of the entire event. The folks that will be inconvenienced the most is the poor people that live in the area. I know that I won’t be anywhere near there.“

Well, after having been out to the site several times, once from 231, and a coupla times from Enterprise, I recognized something right off. It us, uh, in the COUNTRY! And while there are problems that come along with that, this festival doesn’t need to be anywhere BUT the country.

Will there be traffic problems? Of course there will be traffic problems.

I can’t think of a single large event or festival that does not have a traffic problem. When people come, they drive. Driving means cars. And trucks. And SUVs. And motorcycles.That will be a problem, sure. Locals can recall the first year the National Peanut Festival moved to its current location down 231 South. Cars were backed up to Lowe’s. Lowe’s, I tell you. On the Circle. Miles away.

I’m sure at Northview High School’s graduation this Saturday morning, there will be downtown traffic problems. Peanut Parade? Traffic problems. A Friday afternoon on the Circle in the summer months and in a good economy? Traffic problem. Atlanta? Traffic problem.

Buy some Gov’t Mule and ZZ Top CDs and get excited!

The site, 7 miles north of Enterprise at the intersection of Highway 167 and Boy Scout Road, has 10,050 designated parking spaces and 650 RV campsites, according to a site map displayed in the lobby of Ronnie Gilley Enterprises. Gilley’s vice president of acquisitions and properties, Billy Graham, expects 30,000 tickets to be sold before it’s all said and done, and another 12,000 to be given away.

There will be a lot of people.

And let’s repeat this: DO NOT, DO NOT, PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. You will be towed, by order of the Alabama Highway Patrol. It is considered a safety hazard.

There are three entrances to the festival site, two on Boy Scout, including one for entertainment, vendors and RVers. Parking is $10 per vehicle and $20 for VIP.

With a lineup like BamaJam’s, music fans WILL TRAVEL to this festival.

We, the people of the Wiregrass, are lucky to have it in our backyards. Can I go so far as to say privileged? With gas prices what they are, and as we search for more adventures close to home, it was a no-brainer for my husband and me to pull the RV over there and have a weekend. Should something come up, we are close to home.

And by OUR standards, yes ticket prices are not cheap. Drinks and food will not be cheap, but you know what, you have to consider the magnitude of this event, the quality of the music and what you’d spend anyway if you just stayed home—- or went to the beach. That is no longer a cheap trip either.

Traffic sure will be a problem. But I doubt seriously it can be considered the “downfall” of this event, which will open next year at the new Country Crossing development just off U.S. 231 south of Dothan. First weekend in June 2009. I plan on being there too