Rocklahoma Recap Part 2
Here's another round of pics and videos from Rocklahoma! For those of you that made the pilgrimage to Pryor, Oklahoma, you know how great it was! For those of you that missed out, here's just a few of the highlights! Meeting and talking with "Rock God" Rudy Sarzo of Quiet Riot, Ozzy tours, Dio, Whitesnake and more, to trying to figure out why that person's dressed that way, it's all part of the fun at Rocklahoma! In This Moment, Korn, and Five Finger Death Punch were certainly some of the performance highlights. Not to mention side stage stars Seether, Skillet, and Cypress Hill, and more! It was a weekend for the record books! Make your plans to be there next year!
Rocklahoma 2022 Recap 1
It's always an adventure at Rocklahoma! And for the first time since the pandemic the festival felt like "the good ole days." Aside from being over the Labor Day weekend as opposed to it's traditional Memorial Day weekend spot on the calendar, it seemed like "normal." Of course "normal" at Rocklahoma isn't anything like a regular day of life and that itself is part of the fun! It's a chance for rock fans to get out and cut loose!
The bands were great and the crowd was huge! It looked to be one of the best attended and largest crowds in years! It was apparent too that music fans were ready to get out and celebrate all things rock! From Springfield locals Paralandra to Shinedown, all the bands sounded great! I'm not sure who needed each other the most. The bands playing for the fans, of the fans screaming for the bands. Check out the gallery and videos! Rocklahoma 2022 Recap Part 2 is coming soon!
The Midnight Rodeo Is Springfield's Place to See A Great Show!
Over the last couple of weeks, there have been some quality concerts at the Midnight Rodeo! It really doesn't matter if you call it "Texas Country", "Red Dirt", "Americana", or just "great country music", the fact is, there have been some quality artists and bands hitting the stage at The Midnight Rodeo! The good news is, if you missed Warren Zeiders Saturday, July 23rd, or Flatland Cavalry this past Saturday, there are more opportunities to catch some rising stars!
https://youtu.be/dFEGaWYbGZ4
It didn't take long to figure out Warren Zeiders was the real deal. His skilled songwriting and soulful vocals cut through even if you were familiar with his music or not. The place was packed and it was easy to see why.
Likewise, Flatland Cavalry's skills were evident right from the start. Their style was more traditional with a fiddle in the band but no question that this band, which was started by a couple of the guys jammin' in a garage while they were students at Texas Tech, made a big splash with their debut album Humble Folks in from 2016 and they've been off and running ever since.
https://youtu.be/Q8J9k4bTarg
Up next is Mike Ryan. That show's Thursday, August 11th. This rising star from San Antonio already has a couple quality albums to his credit and well worth making the effort on a Thursday night. Just think, one day soon when he's a big star, you can say "I saw that guy at the Midnight Rodeo!" Get your tickets by clicking HERE.
https://youtu.be/1CLgv1LAOjo
George Strait Rocks Arrowhead!
It was a full house at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday evening! The "King" of country let everyone know that the age of 70, he still sits on the throne. Over his many years Strait has won every music award imaginable and is tops for the most #1 country hits of all time with over 60! Strait also holds the record for most #1 songs on all charts by an artist in any genre of music!
Parker McCollum opened the show with Little Big Town taking the stage next! LBT was at the Ozarks Amphitheater near Lake of the Ozarks the night before with a sold out show of their own. They rolled out all their big hits including a couple new tracks. If you've not heard "All Summer", you need to check it out.
The amazing Chris Stapleton took the stage next performing many of his biggest hits. One of the most accomplished singer-songwriters in recent history, Stapleton has won eight Grammy Awards, 10 ACM's, and 14 CMA awards!
The weather was a "star" as well. After weeks of near-record heat in Kansas City, Saturday's high was in the upper 70's and the clouds stuck around until after the sun went down making for a perfect night!
Of course the night belonged to "The King"! Every song was one everyone knew and the whole stadium sang along to them all! Strait and his band sounded nearly perfect. With so many songs in his library it was fun to trying to guess what he'd play next! It was a good time and a great show! Long live "The King"!
The Bull Night At The Springfield Cardinals
Wednesday was 105.1 The Bull night at the Springfield Cardinals. "Thank you" to everyone that came out to join in the fun and festivities! It's always a good time at Hammond's Field! Thanks to all our 105.1 The Bull listeners for casting your votes to determine which of The Bull personalities would win the right to toss out the first pitch. Summer Stevens was the winner and took to mound that evening before the game. Her underhand toss was low and to the right but close enough to do the trick!
It's always a thrill to be down on the field. It's a unique perspective to be looking up into the stands instead of the other way around. To be out on the fresh cut grass and the meticulously manicured playing surface was really cool. And whomever tells you "it's no big deal" to have your face on the jumbo screen out in left field is lying. Trust us, it's fun!
If you've not made it to Hammond's Field yet this season, this weekend is as good as any. Actually, it may be better than most! The last weekend in July is the annual "Christmas In July" promotion with some cool swag to snag! Friday, July 29th is the American National-Christmas Ordainment giveaway game and Saturday evening the first 2,000 through the gates will snag a "Yadi" collector tumbler!
Thanks again for casting your votes and putting Summer out on the mound! With Summer Stevens in the Morning, Crews workdays, Ray Michaels in the afternoon, Corbin at night, all playing "The Ozarks Best Country" plus, we're the home of St. Louis Cardinals baseball! It's a winning "lineup" and we invite you to spend as much time as you can listening on your radio or on the new 105.1 The Bull app!
Check out a short video of her pitch below!
The Bull Rolls Through The Marshfield 4th Of July Parade!
It's not everyday that you get to be a part of history. On Monday, the 4th 105.1 The Bull rolled around the historic Marshfield Square for the 143rd Annual Fourth of July Parade! Sure, it was hot, but that didn't keep folks away as thousands lined the route through town and around the square. The Marshfield 4th of July Parade is the oldest, continuous running, Independence Day parade west of the Mississippi river! Amazing!
Kids snatched up candy tossed from The Bull van. I believe most did better on the 4th than they do on Halloween! There was candy tossed from several floats. I noticed a few kids had a cooler handy to toss then candy into once it hit the pavement. Good idea! They're likely to have thoughtful parents to thank for that idea. I'm sure who was tossing out chocolate kisses and candy bars but that stuff didn't stay in solid form for more than a few seconds after hitting the asphalt!
There were some creative parade entries. I snapped a few pics of some of the entries as we lined up to roll through. Most were sponsored by local business owners or had an affiliation with a local church or organization.
It was an amazing event and we here at 105.1 The Bull were honored to be part of the fun! Special thanks to the Webster Electric Co-Operative, Brooks Gas, Your Midwest Ford Dealers, and Clear Creek Golf Carts! God bless America and we'll see you next year!
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It's Always A Good Time At The Springfield Cardinals!
The Springfield Cardinals are back in town this week and the weather forecast is calling for hot and dry conditions! Sounds like baseball weather to me! Schools out too so there's no reason not to load up the family and head to Hammond's Field.
There's something special about minor league baseball games. For starters, the ballparks are smaller and that makes for a more personal experience. Plus, between every inning there's some kind of contest, promotion, or giveaway. Be ready! You never know when a t-shirt may come flying your way!
This week The Cardinals take on Corpus Christi. The "Hooks" roll into town Tuesday, June 14th. The home-stand continues though Sunday and there's something fun scheduled for every game. Tuesday evening is Great Southern Bank's "$2 Tuesday", all brats and hot dogs are just two bucks, Wednesday is "Purina Woof Wednesday" so grab the leash and bring out the pooch, Thursday will be cool as the first 2,000 at the park snag a St. Louis Cardinals Yadier Molina & Adam Wainwright Mystery Championship Replica Ring, Friday evening break out your cape and tights and join the fun that is "Marvel's Defenders of the Diamond" night and don't miss the fireworks, the "St. Louis Cardinals Mike Shannon Bobblehead Giveaway" is Saturday evening, and finally on Sunday afternoon is Hiland Dairy Ice Cream day and kids run the bases.
It's gonna be a fun week at the "ole ball game" so make plans to come out!
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Ray caught the firework show a couple weeks ago shown above! You can watch the firework show AND try to win a St. Louis Cardinals Mike Shannon Bobblehead at their giveaway THIS Saturday night! Get your tickets and more info by clicking HERE!
Kansas Speedway NASCAR Race Day Festivities
There's not anything quite like NASCAR race day! Crews and I got the opportunity to take in the pre-race festivities this Sunday at the Kansas Speedway. If you've not been, I highly recommend you add a NASCAR race to your bucket list. TV just doesn't do it justice. Racing assaults all your senses! The roar of the engines, the smell of ethanol and burning rubber, plus the speed of the cars as they zoom around the track, it's one of the biggest spectacles in all of sports.
I've always enjoyed racing. When I was little, my mom and her friends would load up my cousins and I and take us to the old I-70 Speedway outside of Kansas City. I even made it to the Indy 500 back in the early 90's. That's one I'd be up for doing again someday. Sprint Car racing is a lot of fun! Those dirt track, fin clad, sliding machines are great! I love boat racing too. I made it the Lake of the Ozarks for "The Shootout" in 2020. We used to hit that boat race every year back when it took place out front of Shooter's 21.
https://youtu.be/POlcMV4dqMs
Roaming the garage area, walking along Pit Road, getting to meet a few of the drivers was great, but the best highlight of any NASCAR race is the National Anthem and flyover. Whiteman Air Force Base represented our nation's military with the presentation of the colors, singing of the anthem, and the 303rd Fighter Squadron pilots as they jetted a pair of A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft over the track! NASCAR returns to the Kansas Speedway the weekend of September 11th. Start making your plans to be there! You'll be glad you did!
Midwest Family Broadcasting Day At Busch Stadium!
I tell people all the time that "I've got one of the best jobs a guy can have!" Being the afternoon personality and Program Director of 105.1 The Bull certainly has it's benefits! We get to attend concerts in the region, host fun events, and work with local charities, but not many of those happenings could top this Sunday's trip to Busch Stadium!
105.1 The Bull is owned by Midwest Family Broadcasting and is southwest Missouri's home of Saint Louis Cardinals baseball! Midwest Family prides itself in being "local" in everything it does. A lot of media companies make the claim their "local" but few deliver on the promise.
Sunday, May 1st a bus full of local Springfield area business owners and clients of Midwest Family were treated to an all-expense paid trip to Saint Louis! A bright red motor coach rolled up to the broadcast center just after 7 o'clock Sunday morning and loaded everyone up for the ride to Busch Stadium.
The package included suite "party passes" with a full bar and our own bartender, ballpark food including hot dogs, barbecue brisket sandwiches, salads, and dessert.
The trips highlight was a surprise suite visit from "The Mad Hungarian" himself, Al Hrabosky! Al made his MLB debut at the age of 20 for the Cardinals in June of 1970. Know for his fiery antics behind the mound before storming to the rubber and firing the baseball, played 12 years in the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, and Atlanta Braves. His gig these days is color commentator for Cardinals regular season broadcasts aired on the Bally Sports Midwest Network.
What a fun trip! It's a pleasure to be part of the Midwest Family Broadcasting crew. One that prides itself in not just delivering quality radio and digital products, but it's involvement in the community. You would be hard-pressed to find another media company that would make the time and investment just to show appreciation for their business partners. There's no question, no media company is more committed to serving Springfield, and The Ozarks community, than Midwest Family Broadcasting.
Alan Jackson shares ‘Racing the Dark,’ co-written with daughter Mattie
Alan Jackson and his daughter, Mattie Jackson Selecman, have released their collaborative song titled “Racing the Dark,” which coincides with the release of Selecman’s book 'Lemons on Friday'. Selecman recently lost her husband Ben after only 11 months of marriage. Both song and book detail Selecman’s painful heartbreak while also honoring the life that Ben and Mattie shared.
Jackson said in a statement: “I’m really surprised how well she was able to handle all that. I know I couldn’t have done what she’s done. One day she came to me with this piece of paper and said, ‘I wrote this song… the lyrics,’ and asked me to put it to music. So, I wrote the melody for it, and it turned out to be a very sweet song. It’s a beautiful song. And it’s well-written, lyrically. She told a little more of her story in it… so I’m anxious for my fans to get to hear this.”
To purchase Lemons on Friday, head here. Take a listen to "Racing the Dark" at the link here.
Editorial credit: Danny E Hooks / Shutterstock.com