“Down on the Farm” Down at the Lake
Here’s a little video from the Wyant/Johnson Farm Foundation benefit concert of Michael Peterson singing part of the song that brought him and New Holland together - “Down on the Farm.”
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08.20.2008
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Scenes from the Lake Concert
It’s hard to appreciate from this little thumbnail photo just what a cool venue the Sara Wyant/Allan Johnson lake house was for the Farm Foundation Michael Peterson concert Friday night. You have to go look at the photo album to get a bigger view.
First of all, it is a beautiful house. And it has these three balcony levels so everyone had a perfect view of Michael set up lakeside and the acoustics were excellent.
The event was made possible by our very good friend Gene Hemphill and New Holland. It was his idea two years ago to offer a private concert with Michael to the highest bidder at the NAFB Farm Foundation auction. In 2006, farm broadcaster Pam Jahnke of Madison, WI bought one package and used it for a Wisconsin FFA fundraiser, while the National Farmers Union matched her bid and bought another for their annual convention. Gene says they will offer it up again at the 2008 convention in November.
People from all over the country attended the concert, including some corn guys from Illinois and Kansas who might be familiar faces to AgWired readers. We also had the famous singer and National Biodiesel Board executive director Joe Jobe and his family, as well as some people from as far away as Washington DC, like Karen Coble Edwards who was visiting with Charlene Finck of Farm Journal down at the lake and they both came with their families.
I did a little audio interview after the concert with Sara and Allan, Garry Niemeyer and Ken McCauley, Gene and Michael that you can listen to here.
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AgWired Commercial
If we were a radio station, this would make a great promo spot.
I had the honor of being introduced by Michael Peterson at a private concert held this past weekend at the Lake Ozark home of Sara (Agri-Pulse) Wyant and her husband Allan Johnson with USDA. He said some very nice things about me and Chuck and AgWired and I fortunately had a recorder running at the time.
He called AgWired “the largest and most influential agriculture blog site in the world!” Wow! I like that. “They’re doing a lot around the country to help share the ‘no-spin’ truth about agriculture,” Michael said.
Listen to Michael’s AgWired promo here:
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Thanks, Michael!
Sharing Autographs
Country music singer Michael Peterson made some young fans happy at a private party at Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks Friday night, singing autographs on copies of his “Down on the Farm” CD supplied to guests courtesy of New Holland. But he also got an autographed memento of his own from the event.
The party was a benefit for Farm Foundation, so immediate past chairman (and party host) Sara Wyant of Agri-Pulse Communications, and Farm Foundation communications director Mary Thompson presented Michael with a book commemorating the foundation’s 75 year history that was signed by some of the organization’s representatives.
Sara presented the book to Michael in gratitude for his performance and in recognition of his tremendous contributions to rural America.
The Farm Foundation focuses on economic and policy issues impacting agriculture, the food system and the people of rural America. The organization works as a catalyst, using conferences, workshops and other activities to bring stakeholders of all types together to identify and understand forces that will shape the future for our industry.
To find out more - or to make a contribution (which they would greatly appreciate) - go to farmfoundation.org.
Party at the Lake
While Chuck was busy chasing spotted horses in Mississippi this weekend, I got to go to a really GREAT party at beautiful Lake of the Ozarks, featuring our good friend Michael Peterson.
Our gracious hosts were Sara Wyant and Allan Johnson, who bought a private concert with Michael at the NAFB Foundation auction last November, courtesy of New Holland and the still-not-retired Gene Hemphill.
It was just a wonderful event, with about 100 of Sara and Al’s friends and neighbors, including lots of familiar faces in the agribusiness world. The event was also a fundraiser for the Farm Foundation, for which Sara has been serving as chairman.
To see more photos from the event, check out this Flickr Photo Album:
Rock and Roll Meets Tractor and Country
We certainly had a little bit of rock and roll getting together with country at the Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race. One of the contestants who held the lead for a while was Rolling Stones keyboardist, Chuck Leavell (left), seen here with Michael Peterson.
Chuck is a central Georgia tree farmer where he and his wife have 2,500 acres. He’s the proud owner of a New Holland 2410. I asked him why he participated and one of the things he likes is supporting FFA, which he feels strongly about. As far as a celebrity tractor race goes, he thinks it’s the coolest thing in the world. When he’s not on the road rocking and rolling with the Stones, he says you’ll find him on his New Holland out in the woods.
He’s also a big believer in biofuels like biodiesel and has a special interest in cellulosic ethanol production. That makes sense for a tree farmer.
Listen to my interview with Chuck:
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Watch Chuck ride:
2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album
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Celebrities Riding Tractors
My latest road trip ended at the Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race in Nashville, TN. So this week’s program has been produced there and includes an event wrap-up with Michael.
Michael Peterson has become a good friend after I’ve had so many opportunities to work with him since this event started 3 years ago. Today he got the crowd fired up as they enjoyed the competition and seeing some of their favorite artists get up on a tractor and for the most part, do real well.
Michael got on the tractor himself at one point so I recorded that so you can watch him drive. I think his time was actually the fastest but he can’t win.
Special thanks go out to not only Michael but also Gene Hemphill and Dawn Fox at New Holland as well as Holly Fritz at H.B. Fritz & Associates who did so much work to put this event on.
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ZimmCast 174 (8 min MP3)
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2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album
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Darby Ledbetter Wins Celebrity Tractor Race
The winner of the 2008 Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race is Darby Ledbetter with a time of 47 seconds. He pretty much blew away the competition. Here’s Darby on the New Holland tractor with Michael Peterson (left).
I interviewed Darby right afterward and he was still pretty excited about his win. He’s a National Guard supporter and really appreciates what Micheal Peterson and New Holland and the Army have done to support our troops.
I’m not sure the final count for contestants of today’s race but there were a lot and we were all glad that it was under a tent with the extreme heat. That made it a little challenging for us photographers though.
Listen to Darby the race winner here:
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2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album
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Michael Peterson on Chevy Music Stage
The first band on the Chevy Music Stage this morning here at Fan Fair was Michael Peterson’s. He attracted a big crowd. The seats were filled and people gravitated there since you could hear the music up and down the street. Last year Michael performed on the Riverfront Stage.
I recorded a video clip of the band performing “Marriage is the Leading Cause of Divorce” which you can watch here:
You can also watch Michael talk about the song on his website.
2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album
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Watch the New Holland/Michael Peterson Celebrity Tractor Race Live!
AgWired.com will be bringing you live coverage of the New Holland/Michael Peterson Celebrity Tractor Race. AgWired Live TV will be streaming the race on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Viewers can watch thirty celebrities compete to be the fastest tractor on the lot on a post here or on the AgWired Live TV Web page. Celebrity racers include Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Jimmie Van Zant, Rolling Ston’es Chuck Leavell and National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe. Of course, Michael Peterson will be hosting the event.
2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album
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Peterson Makes Penny’s Day
Penny Elliot is a part of the reception staff at the Holiday Inn Select where the New Holland crew and I are staying during the 2008 CMA Music Festival. She let on to Gene Hemphill, the Industry Affairs Manager for New Holland, that she was a big fan of country music singer/songwriter Michael Peterson. So Gene made it his mission to make her day. Not only did Gene get Michael to autograph a copy of his ‘Grave to the Cradle’ album for Penny, Gene also set up an impromptu meet-n-greet of sorts. Michael stopped by the hotel and introduced himself to Penny just before running off to be a guest on this morning’s XM Dave Nemo Show.
2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album
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Michael Peterson Connects with Fans
The line at singer/songwriter Michael Peterson’s CMA Music Festival exhibit remained long and steady. That’s because unlike most artists, Michael stayed around all day signing autographs, doling out hugs and smiling for pictures with fans. Michael says connecting with people is what events like these are all about and he looks forward to seeing familiar faces each year.
I grabbed some videos with Michael talking about fans and handing out autographs. You can watch the videos here:
2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album
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New Holland Gives Away $100…
Visitors who visit the New Hollandbooth in the Sports Zone at the 2008 CMA Country Music Festival have a chance to win some dough. Communications Director Dawn Fox says New Holland is holding a drawing for a $100 gift card for Cabela’s. Those interested in entering simply need to stop by the New Holland booth during the duration of the festival and enter for their chance to win. Dawn says visitors can also grab some free magazines and take a look at the New Holland Model T2310 tractor. The T2310 will be used for Sunday’s New Holland/Michael Peterson Celebrity Tractor Race. The T1010 is also on display, which will be signed by each of the 30 celebrity contestants in the race. It will then be auctioned off with proceeds going to both the FFA and the race winner’s charity of choice.
I spoke with Dawn about what New Holland offers visitors at the Sports Zone. You can listen to my interview here:
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2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album
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A Float’s Eye View of the 2008 CMA Music Festival
Fans waved and hollered, calling out “Michael!” as the New Holland/Michael Peterson float rolled past during the 2008 CMA Country Music Festival Kick-Off Parade. Some fans even blew kisses to the country music singer/songwriter. Others boldly cried out their admiration for the inspirational speaker. Michael and local FFA students tossed t-shirts and waved back to an eager and excited crowd. At one point, Michael even took a phone call from a random construction worker’s phone. I believe it was Michael’s drummer on the line. I’ll have to double check that with Michael though…
I took a couple videos from float, offering a “float’s eye view” of the parade.
You can watch the videos here:
2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album
AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
Filed as: Ag Group / Fan Fair / Michael Peterson / Music / New Holland / Podcasting / Tractor / Video
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FFA Students Ride New Holland Float at CMA Music Festival Parade
A handful of FFA students offered country music singer/songwriter and inspirational speaker Michael Peterson today. Michael spent the day setting up for his exhibit at the Nashville Convention Center in preparation for the 2008 CMA Country Music Festival. The FFA students pitched in on the behind the scenes prep. Of course, their help came with quite the perk. The FFA boys got to join Michael on the New Holland float during the CMA Country Music Festival Kick-Off Parade.
I did a quick video with the boys before the float took off. You can watch the video here:
2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album
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Behind the Scenes Before the Big Show
…or festival rather. The New Holland crew joined Michael Peterson and members of the local FFA chapter in setting up for a week of excitement at the 2008 CMA Country Music Festival. Concerts, autograph sessions, exhibitions and of course the New Holland/Michael Peterson celebrity tractor race will all be a part of this weekend’s festivities.
I interviewed Michael about the legwork that’s goes into preparing for major events like Nashville’s country music celebration. You can listen to my interview with Michael here:
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I’ll have posts from today’s CMA Country Music Festival Kick-Off Parade online soon.
2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album
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Celebrities Flock to Nashville for the CMA Music Festival
Music, sports and all-around good fun are what draws about 200,000 people to Nashville each June. The 2008 CMA Country Music Festival is kicking off with its CMA Country Music Festival Kick-Off Parade and Block Party today. I arrived in Nashville last night and will begin providing coverage of the festival here on Agwired.com. Chuck will arrive Friday afternoon and take over posting online. I don’t think he wanted to miss the Michael Peterson Celebrity Tractor Race on Sunday. Michael will be challenging fellow recording artists, radio personalities and even a few Tennessee Titans in the New Holland sponsored charity event, beginning Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
But first, Michael will be appearing in the Kick-Off Parade this afternoon.
Most major activities for the CMA Music Festival begin later in the week, but the event’s fourth annual kick-off parade takes place Wednesday (June 4) at 2 p.m. in downtown Nashville. Immediately after the parade, the third annual CMA Music Festival Block Party will be staged at the Sommet Center. Among those participating in the parade are Deborah Allen, Katie Armiger, Erika Jo, Crystal Gayle, the Grascals, Jeff Griffith, Indian Rodeo, Lonestar, Jason Meadows, Mountain Heart, Michael Martin Murphey, One Flew South, the Roys, Keni Thomas, Trent Tomlinson, Rhonda Towns, Kyle Wyley, Chris Young and the cast of CMT’s Trick My Truck. The block party will feature performances by Keith Anderson, Zac Brown, Luke Bryan, Joe Nichols, James Otto, Rissi Palmer, Phil Stacey and Young. The events are sponsored by Chevorolet.
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Ridgeway & Johnson Escape
During last week’s travels with the Michael Peterson, My Real Life Tour, I got to know Kevin Ridgeway and Kristen Johnson, Ridgeway & Johnson, very well. Spending all day on a bus does that.
In the picture you can see Kristen doing the only full view water torture cell escape. There’s more pictures in the photo album.
These are very talented people who absolutely love what they’re doing. I thought I traveled a lot but nothing compared to what they’ve been doing. They’ve been performing for this tour as well as NBA finals half time shows, taping reality tv in Turkey and other shows on their schedule. Before the last show of the My Real Life Tour I interviewed them outside the Pershing Center in Lincoln, NE. Watch and learn more about the best illusionists in the business.
I’m going back and forth from St. Louis today so posting will pick up again after I get back. I’ve got to drop off my Mac for its annual checkup which means they’ll have it until I got back to St. Louis on Thursday to pick it up. I’m a little afraid to be Mac-less but I’m sure I’ll get through it.
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Closing Out The My Real Life Tour
The final show of this segment of the Michael Peterson, My Real Life Tour, is over. What a show. As New Holland dealer Larry Dinkel said to me yesterday, “I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t go to this show.” The Army touring band was one of the best I’ve heard and of course Michael Peterson was great. Ridgeway & Johnson showed why they’re the best illusionists in the business.
I spoke with Michael right after the show to get his feelings after 10 cities and 4 months of the Tour. He’s pumped up about making a difference in our communities and helping people, especially young ones, to set goals for their lives. He’s hoping to do it all again starting this fall and I hope that happens.
You can listen to my closing interview with Michael here:
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I’ve got more things I’ll post after getting back home so this will be my final post until then. They’re about to close the Pershing Center so I’d better get a move on. See you later.
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My Real Life Tour Group
Last night the whole My Real Life Tour group got together for dinner and some fellowship. Most of these folks have been traveling together off and on since January.
In just a couple of days I’ve made new friends and hope to stay in touch with them. Perhaps we’ll have a chance to do this again in the fall. This is a great group of people who all believe in the mission and put in hours that most people wouldn’t even comprehend much less consider.
We’ve talked a lot in between shows about how Michael’s dream of this tour several years ago has become a reality and the difference that it’s making in people’s lives. He says that they’ve presented to over 50,000 young people alone on this 10 city tour. Can you imagine if they were to double it next year? Michael’s message of hope, inspiration and promoting values that I think everyone in agricultural production and marketing believe in, is making a difference and we need to see more of it in today’s world.
I’m looking forward to the final performance this evening.
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