Wow! What a great CMA Music Fest… OK, OK… I STILL call it Fan Fair cuz that's what it's all about… the FANS!!! I had such a great time this year and man, was I busy!! I don't think I've done the old "shake and howdy" that much in a while and it felt GREAT! It was amazing to see people lined up everywhere I went (some of them even did that to see ME! LOL) I got to visit with a ton of old friends like Craig Morgan, Trace Adkins (thx for the T shirt… I better see you wearing mine!) Andy Griggs, Ray Scott and Mike Rodgers as well as make several new ones along the way. The weather cooperated (haven't seen that happen in a few years) and all the outdoor events went off without a hitch. It was incredible to see how many people still came after the May flooding and even more unbelievable to see how our city responded. Every venue was able to open again in time for Fan Fair and the fans from around the world ate it up! Looking forward to next year already.
My buddy john Arthur martinez and I had a great time at our combined fan club party at Lakeshore Christian Church. My friend Melissa Hazelton from Wrapture Cigars treated several of us to my very own "Buddy Jewell" cigars... absolutely the best I have ever smoked! It all culminated with dinner for all those who helped out with my booth and party… not nearly enough on my part to say "Thank You" to all my friends who pitched in and made CMA Music Fest 2010 the best "Fan Fair" I've ever had! See ya next year!
2010 CMA Fest Recap
Nashville Flood
About a week ago at this time, I was getting ready to head up to Muncie, Indiana to do a show with Andy Griggs and Brian White. Little did we know that when we left town, we'd return to a "different" Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Over the weekend, more than 17 inches of rain fell in some parts of Middle Tennessee in less than 48 hours and that was more than enough to swell creeks , lakes, rivers, and even interstates to the point that they looked more like the Ocoee River, famous for its white water rapids. The now infamous video of a portable school building shown floating down the interstate ( yes, the water was that high and swift) stands out to me because I've been in that building in the past year. It got washed about 1/2 mile away from where it sat on a hill… and that's only about a mile or so from where our church is located. Luckily, we were spared. The Cumberland and Duck Rivers alone crested at two times their normal flood stage. I wouldn't call it a flood… I think it was worse than that.
As Andy and I drove back into town Monday morning, we were forced to detour around the Opryland area. I couldn't see much from where we had to get off Briley Parkway, but a few minutes later, off to the west on McGavock Pike, I saw something I had never seen in person before. Entire neighborhoods completely under water. The Opryland Hotel, Opry Mills Mall and our beloved Grand Ole Opry House were among the casualties on the east side of the expressway.
Saturday night, before and after our show, I tried to keep up with what was going on via my wife and friends back home, but words just couldn't describe the devastation. Occasionally, there might be a blurb about it on the Weather Channel, but it is my understanding that the national media didn't really give this "flood" much airtime….
Really?
Regardless, Nashville quickly came together to take care of our own. Several benefits are helping to raise money and awareness nationally and around the globe. Last night, I was honored to join Vince Gill and dozens of other artists from several genres on local NBC affiliate, WSMV, Channel 4 for one such benefit. The "Flood Relief with Vince Gill & Friends" telethon raised over 1.7 million dollars in 4 hours…. INCREDIBLE! Not because of all the "stars" who participated, but because of proud, everyday Americans and people from all over the world who watched via the internet, etc., and opened their hearts and their wallets for Music City!. Now THAT is the America that I love! I want to thank everyone who pitched in.
Those who want to continue to donate or volunteer toward flood relief can visit the websites below.
- The Red Cross is asking the public to donate money only. Call 250-4300 or Text "RedCross" to 90999 for $10 donation. It cannot accept material donations of items.
- The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
- Second Harvest Food Bank If you need assistance, call its emergency information center at 211 or 615-862-8574. Or call 615-329-3491.
- Salvation Army To volunteer at the Salvation Army, call Matt Vamvas at 416-3175. For emergency assistance, call 255-0554 or visit 611 Stockell Street. Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY to donate, and make sure to designate to Nashville Flood Relief.
- Members of the public who want to help with relief efforts can contact Hands On Nashville. Its number is 298-1108. By Tuesday morning, 7,000 volunteers had already signed up to help.
- Samaritan's Purse is partnering with Bethel World Outreach Center for disaster relief. Call 615-346-1310 if you would like the organizations to help you recover. Victims should give Bethel World Outreach Center the location of where they live, the damage in their area/home and what help they need. This information can be e-mailed to info@bwoc.org. Samaritan's Purse will help clear the damaged area, remove carpets, drywall, flooring, and treat molding. Volunteers should be at least 14 years old to help, but minors will need an adult chaperone. Volunteers should go to the church any day from Monday to Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and be prepared to work until 4:30 pm. Call 615-371-1000.
God bless,
Buddy:)
Chart Country Voting
One more spot and Buddy will be in the top spot on Chart Country Radio! Have you voted?
Buddy Jewell’s new single, “Somebody Who Would Die For You” was rewarded by country fans from around the world including Australia, Canada and the United States. “Somebody Who Would Die For You” finished in second place in the fan-voted “Chart Country’s Weekly Top 40 Poll.”
Want to vote to help Buddy ascend to the top spot next week? Here’s how…
There are 3 ways you can vote:
1. Follow this link to Chart Country’s Website:
http://www.chartcountry.com/vote.html
You are required to vote for 10 songs, including Buddy’s single “Somebody Who Would Die For You.” (You can vote once per week per IP Address.)
2. Email your vote to:
info@chartcountry.com
You should list Buddy’s single, “Somebody Who Would Die For You” as part of your Weekly Top 5 favorite songs from Chart Country’s Current Voting List. Each email vote counts as 2 votes. (You can vote once per week for each of your email addresses.)
3. You can also vote while listening to Chart Country Radio at:
http://www.chartcountry.com/radio.html
Click on the arrow over the album cover of the song currently playing. (Located upper right of page.)
You will need to register for Live365 to obtain a username and password. Once you are registered, you simply “Login” and listen to Chart Country Radio. When you hear Buddy’s song start playing, VOTE by hitting the “Thumbs Up” button.
If you haven’t heard this wonderful Buddy’s new single, “Somebody Who Would Die For You,” go to http://www.myspace.com/buddyjewell and take a listen.
By tuning in, every time you hear your favorite song, it feeds in to the sound scan data base for weekly national airplay reporting in both the United States and Canada.
Thank YOU for your votes... Voting has already started for this week. You have until next Wednesday to get all your votes in.
God bless,
BuddyJewell.com Staff
CRS Day 2
Yesterday/last night was a lot of fun. My day began with radio interviews beginning at 8:30AM and ended with a welcome reception that saw me getting home around 11PM. Not complaining… I have a great job! But, it's a job. In between, I ran into a lot of familiar faces… Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan and James Otto were among the many. I also accidently walked into Taylor Swift's sound check. I abruptly excused myself… sorry 'bout that Taylor (I don't think she actually ever saw me! LOL)
I met some new faces as well. A group called "Blackberry Smoke" from Atlanta came up and introduced themselves. I tell ya, if those boys sound ANYTHING like they look, I'm gonna love their music! OK… just checked 'em out on MySpace… they rock! I'd say they were a cross between Jamey Johnson and the guys from Lynyrd Skynyrd. Best of luck to you guys…
The very sweet and very talented Miss Emily West made a point of introducing herself, and flattered me to no end by telling me she loved my music! I didn't realize who she was at first and it dawned on me as she walked away… I'd say she's down her home state of Iowa proud… nice meeting you Emily! …more mindless babble coming from me tomorrow… can't wait!
Buddy:)
I met some new faces as well. A group called "Blackberry Smoke" from Atlanta came up and introduced themselves. I tell ya, if those boys sound ANYTHING like they look, I'm gonna love their music! OK… just checked 'em out on MySpace… they rock! I'd say they were a cross between Jamey Johnson and the guys from Lynyrd Skynyrd. Best of luck to you guys…
The very sweet and very talented Miss Emily West made a point of introducing herself, and flattered me to no end by telling me she loved my music! I didn't realize who she was at first and it dawned on me as she walked away… I'd say she's down her home state of Iowa proud… nice meeting you Emily! …more mindless babble coming from me tomorrow… can't wait!
Buddy:)
CRS
Ahhhh… it's CRS time again… Country Radio Seminar in Nashville when folks from radio stations around the world descend on Music City. It's a week full of interviews, showcases and a chance for artists to get together and hang. For a lot of us, it's one of the few chances we get to spend time getting to know each other a little better.
Last night, I did a taping for historic songwriter Ben Peters. Among his hits were "Kiss An Angel Good Morning" for the legendary Charley Pride and "Daytime Friends" for one of my all-time favorites, Kenny Rogers. I got to hang out with Charley, Ronnie Milsap, Ronnie McDowell and my buddy Andy Griggs. I'll fill you in tomorrow on all the "goings-ons" tonight.
Buddy:)
Last night, I did a taping for historic songwriter Ben Peters. Among his hits were "Kiss An Angel Good Morning" for the legendary Charley Pride and "Daytime Friends" for one of my all-time favorites, Kenny Rogers. I got to hang out with Charley, Ronnie Milsap, Ronnie McDowell and my buddy Andy Griggs. I'll fill you in tomorrow on all the "goings-ons" tonight.
Buddy:)
