Big Country 99.3 FM Nation Plans Float Trip.

The Big Country Nation has invited the citizens and everyone else to join the gang at Harvey’s Canoe Rental on Saturday, Aug. 15 for a day of river floating and good times.

The plans are to put in at the river about 10:00 am .  Sometime during the day Willow Springs BBQ will be serving some delicious food too!

Learn more  at the FaceBook event page.  You can even sign up to attend or leave a message on the wall.  

Become a FAN of Big Country99 at Facebook.

Big Country99.3 Radio and Leland Martin in the Ozarks

This morning, listeners to RickyV and the Rock Star at Big Country 99.3 FM Radio, got a special treat with a LIVE appearance by one of the neighbors, Leland Martin.  And you’re gonna see plenty about it at all of the options for Ozarks Mystique.

Leland has recently teamed up with the OOIDA – Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association to promote Truckers for Troops.  Leland has released a new CD entitled Truckers for Troops  featuring 12 new songs that he wrote  which focus on trucking and patriotism.  The lead cut, “Truckers for Troops”, includes Leland’s grandchildren pledging allegiance to the USA flag in beautiful baby voices.  Writing and producing this song is “my way of reminding parents and friends to talk to kids about the value of the flag.  They can learn very early about patriotism for our country.” Leland commented during the program.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of the new CD will be donated to the project Truckers for Troops.  This CD is dedicated to the memory of Mike Reed, a veteran who was a friend to Leland and is well known in that Ozarks community.

The new CD, Truckers for Troops is available at Leland Martin’s website.  Secure purchases using PayPal are an easy way to get one. (I know because I’ve got one on the way!)  The CDs will be released to Truck Stops across the country in August.   Check it out today and make your contribution to the troops while getting yourself a source of patriotic music that keeps them on your mind and heart.

If You LUV Branson,Missouri…Honk your Horn!! Because We LUV Branson Too.

Branson, Missouri is an example of what is special about the Ozarks with clean family entertainment in a beautiful setting.

Of course, if you love Branson, we know you will love us too.  Which is why I’m writing this message to you because after you’ve been at the top of the heap for a couple days, you may be thirsting for a different view.

You can find that difference at Mansfield, Missouri at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum.  Your kids and grandkids have probably had you reading the terrific “Little House Books” to them and watching re-runs of Little House on the Prairie on Hulu.  They probably think you can remember those incidents first hand.

Right here at Mansfield lies a pretty little farmhouse where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived when she wrote those renowned children’s books.

So, what does that have to do with our mutual love for Branson?  Well, it comes back to that thirst I wrote about a couple paragraphs above. When you get that thirst for a different view, there is no need to check out of your comfortable lodgings and make the trip back home fit your urge for difference.

Mansfield, Missouri is just a perfect distance from Branson to make a day trip, but not have to give up your lovely lodgings at that beautiful spot.  You can enjoy a pleasant drive to Mansfield, tour the museum and be back at Branson by moonrise for the rest of your vacation.  We’ll welcome you with open arms, but cheerfully send you back to our beloved neighbor, Branson because we aren’t in that kind of competition.

You love Branson; you will love us,  I promise, promise,  promise!!

The Idol Syndrome has Blossomed in the Ozarks

The reality entertainment venues such as American Idol have become ragingly popular all over the planet.

With entertainment and hospitality being so much a part of the folks in the Ozarks, this process for offering people a chance to have their moment of glory and other people a chance to enjoy some great performances just tickles what comes naturally.  Result:  Idol programs at County Fairs.

Big Country Idol @ the Texas County Fair in Houston,  Missouri  and Ava Idol Contest at the Douglas County Fair in Ava, Missouri are a couple upcoming events that area close by.

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TODAY is the last day for people to enter the Ava Idol Contest at the Douglas County Fair, sponsored by the Ava Chamber of Commerce.

According to media information, the Ava Idol Contest will be held at the Douglas County Fair in Ava, Missouri on July 24th at 7:00 pm.  Entries are supposed to be in by today, July 9?  That’s what I understood from local KKOZ radio.   To get complete rules and entry information, call Phyllis or Heather at 417-683-4147.

There will be tryouts on July 11th at 10:00 AM at the Ava Family Theater in Downtown Ava.

Age categories for competitors include: 9-15 yrs, 16-19 yrs, and 20-25 yrs.  Cash prizes are promised to the top three singers or performers.

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Big Country 99.3 FM radio in Houston, Missouri has been ’searching’ for competitors for the Big County Idol @ the Texas County Fair

Their media blitz tells us:

Three cities. Five contestants chosen at each tour stop. Auditions were intense. Dreams were given flight and hopes were shattered. Now, 15 semi-finalists have to prove their worth to a panel of celebrity judges. Only three will move on to the final competition, where the audience vote determines the winner. A six-foot trophy, a recording deal, a $1000 cash are on the line. Big Country Idol at the Texas County Fair July 16th and 17th starting at 6PM nightly. If you’re not there, you can’t vote. Help us choose the next big star, the Big Country Nation will be listening…

That’s “hot” off the Big Country Idol event page at Facebook. The Big Country Nation will be listening and voting at the Houston Chamber of Commerce Fairgrounds in Houston, Missouri.

For more specific information, contact Big Country 99 .3 FM Radio at 417-967-3353 or email Cynthia@bigcountry99.com

Kickin Country Weekend — Mountain Grove, MO 2009

Kickin Country Weekend in Mountain Grove, Missouri is comin’ at us pretty fast.  Local businesses have joined to promote the opportunity for folks in the region on June 19th and 20th to enjoy quality entertainment and get their Ozarks summer off to a hot, fast race through the season.

Sponsors for the Aaron Tippin concert (with Jeff Sullivan and Jason Plummer as opening acts) on Friday night, June 19 and the BULL BASH (S&G Productions, with JW Hart Cattle Company) include businesses contributing at all levels.   Every effort counts toward the end result.

Bar JD (barjd.com) is me, in case you didn’t know.  I’m joining the effort as a neighbor.  Edgellar & Harper work right in the home territory of Mountain Grove. They offer Kubota tractors and equipment, plus some valuable parts for vintage Massey Ferguson equipment. (which is how we know them because Richard is all vintage equipment all the time)  We were in the shop just this morning making exciting purchases of SHEER pins for that Massey Ferguson small bale baler which has to be one of the most babied pieces of farm equipment in Wright County.   We value these neighbors and visited with them a bit about the $10 advanced sale tickets for Kickin Country Weekend.

Edgellar & Harper Farm Equipment

Edgellar & Harper Farm Equipment Line-Up of Tractors in Mountain Grove,Missouri

The Ozarks and Wright County aren’t paying any attention to the recession;  we’ve been too pressed to the wall since time began to pay attention period.  We concentrate on the Ozarks Mystique, the neighbors and savoring the company and hospitality when there is a good program of the people’s music in a family environment.  Kickin’  Country Weekend does that on June 19th and 20th with Aaron Tippin, plus Jeff Sullivan and Jason Plummer as well as the Bull Bash.

Advance tickets for the Aaron Tippin concert are available for $10 … they will be $15 at the gate.  Contact Alexis or RickyV and the Super Star on Big Country 99 radio (99.3 fm on your dial) for more information.

Mansfield Community Center,Mansfield MO has Lunch on 5th Friday

Mansfield Community Center has a cheerful little fund raiser event from time to time that is just part of the hospitality of folks at  Mansfield, Missouri.

Every month of the year that has a FIFTH FRIDAY makes that Friday an occasion for a lunch party.  For a $5 donation to the Community Center, you can have a tasty, ample lunch and enjoy the company of your neighbors.  No reservations are necessary — Mansfield Community Center & Community Betterment are the neighbors; there’s always room for more at the table.  Neighbors and hospitality are basics in the Ozarks Mystique

Weather permitting, they grill big burgers and dogs, add chips and the Ozarks staple — TEA.

I missed the event yesterday, but I’m marking my calendars for the next one in July and then the next one in October.

The $5 price makes it a good chance to pick up some extra tickets and treat your staff to lunch for a good cause.  The little donations add up for the support of a neighbor business/facility that returns the favor countless ways in our community.

Mansfield is extremely fortunate to be located at the junction of Hwy 5 and Hwy 60 plus have a facility like the Mansfield Community Center.  That isn’t all, but we’re going to leave the focus of the conversation there today.

Aaron Tippin to Star at Kickin Country Weekend plus Bull Bash

Kickin Country Weekend will be an early festival in the Ozarks country of Wright County, Missouri.  Mountain Grove is a fine community, pretty much self-sufficient and easily part of any area loop of travel around the Springfield and Branson area.  Travelers who are looking for a little extra kick in their Missouri experience need to check the maps to see how easily a day trip can be worked into their visit.  Or think about making it an overnight to enjoy more in the area on your way through the loop.

Back to Kickin Country Weekend…June 19 and 20, 2009

On June 19,  Jeff Sullivan and Jason Plummer will open at 7:00 pm for Aaron Tippin’s concert later in the evening.  Tickets are on sale right now for $10.  They may be higher priced at the gate…so think about planning ahead.

Sponsors include the Mountain Grove Chamber of  Commerce,  Big Country 99 Radio and The Grove 92.5 Radio.   The sponsors are enthusiastic about the Aaron Tippin concert.  Tippin has great following through the country music field.  His show has been a popular addition to many military programs and has traveled to combat zones regularly.

Learn more about the Tippin treat coming to Kickin Country Weekend at AaronTippin.com and Aaron’s Facebook pages.

On June 20, a grand rodeo program featuring Bull Bash with the Hart Cattle Company from Overbrook Oklahoma. You can sit safely in the stands and watch the competitors bite the dust, then cheer for your boy or the bull whichever turns your fancy.

Think about making a visit to Kickin Country Weekend a part of your Missouri experience.  You’ll be eager to come back for more.

PS: If you live in the Ozarks and you’re thinking you don’t see a trip to the Kasbah in your travel budget this season, now you know there is plenty to do right next door.  You can travel a short distance, make a day trip and pretend you are from far away!  We will recognize you, but if you want to be ‘from far away’, we will play along with you.

Over at the sweet twin  Ozarks Mystique blog, we’re makin’ the same song about Ozarks festivals.

The Ozarks Mountains Provide Homemade Entertainment for Friends, Family & Visitors

The Ozarks is a central location for festivals.  There is just something going on every weekend…usually more than one thing.

Often the communities who are celebrating have locations which permit visitors to enjoy and share the good times at more than one spot.   All the while, enjoying a local outing  that doesn’t break the bank.

In Wright County, Missouri, you will find rolling mountain country with a few strong communities, each of which has festivals, usually in multiple.

A festival makes a chance for the neighbors to come in out of the country and visit, enjoy entertainment, view parades, check out vendors of crafts and foods, maybe be the big winner in a raffle.

There are events for July 4th, Harvest, Christmas, Easter and Schools in Mansfield, Hartville, Norwood and Mountain Grove.   Almost makes you wonder when the people can work because of so much community party!    Mansfield’s Wilder Days event commemorates renowned children’s author, Laura Ingalls Wilder who wrote the “Little House”  books at her farm home near Mansfield, Missouri.

Beyond the communities,  you can find entertainment and camaraderie at private celebrations such as annual sorghum cooking events, July 4th and family reunions.

Businesses get into the round-robin of visiting as well.  There are monthly events at Bakersville which is the setting for Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and regular tours available at  Simpsons Fruit Farm, plus some wonderful produce, honey and pumpkins in season,

As an early post, there is more information, thoughts and chat about the Ozarks and life in these mountains over at the other Ozarks Mystique blog on Ozarks Mountain Country.