Category Archives: Michael Peterson

Celebrities Riding Tractors

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ZimmCast-174 - Celebrities on TractorsMy 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 PetersonMichael 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.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 174 (8 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:

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2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

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Darby Ledbetter Wins Celebrity Tractor Race

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Darby LedbetterThe 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

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Michael Peterson on Chevy Music Stage

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Michael PetersonThe 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

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

Watch the New Holland/Michael Peterson Celebrity Tractor Race Live!

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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

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

Peterson Makes Penny’s Day

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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

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

Michael Peterson Connects with Fans

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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

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

New Holland Gives Away $100…

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Visitors at the New Holland booth enter to win a $100 Cabela's gift card.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:

Listen to


2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

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A Float’s Eye View of the 2008 CMA Music Festival

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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:
New Holland

FFA Students Ride New Holland Float at CMA Music Festival Parade

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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

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

Behind the Scenes Before the Big Show

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Local FFA members help Michael Peterson set up his exhibit in the Nashville Convention Center.…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:

Listen to

I’ll have posts from today’s CMA Country Music Festival Kick-Off Parade online soon.


2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Celebrities Flock to Nashville for the CMA Music Festival

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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.

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

Ridgeway & Johnson Escape

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Michael PetersonDuring 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.

My Real Life Tour Photo Album

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland

Closing Out The My Real Life Tour

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Michael PetersonThe 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:

Listen to

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.

My Real Life Tour Photo Album

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

My Real Life Tour Group

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My Real Life Tour GroupLast 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.

My Real Life Tour Photo Album

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland

Lincoln Farmers’ Market

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Lincoln Farmers' MarketOn a nice relaxing morning here in Lincoln, NE the Haymarket Historic District Farmers’ Market is in full swing. It’s open from 8am-noon.

I wandered around after some coffee and made a few purchases including some purple asparagus, which I’ve never seen before. The vendor says it’s sweeter than the green variety. I’m going to find out on on Memorial Day since I think it’ll go good with a nicely grilled steak.

I shot some more photos of the Farmers’ Market which I added to the photo album.

My Real Life Tour Photo Album

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland

My Real Life Tour Bus Rolling Into Action

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I’m enjoying some coffee and a relaxing morning here in Lincoln, NE and getting ready to wander around the HayMarket Farmer’s Market in a few minutes. The Michael Peterson, My Real Life Tour, will conclude this evening with a big performance at the Pershing Center. Hopefully, it will continue again this fall. If you or your company is interested I’m sure they’d love to have some more sponsors.

Yesterday I got to Lincoln Southwest High School to shoot the bus on the way in. I mis-calculated the direction they’d take but did get this short video clip.

My Real Life Tour Photo Album

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland

New Holland Dealer Likes My Real Life Tour Promotion

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Michael PetersonHe’s just one of the kids, sitting on the gym floor watching the My Real Life Tour Show. He’s Michael Peterson and I caught him while Ridgeway & Johnson were performing.

A few minutes ago I spoke by Skype with Larry Dinkel, Dinkel Implement, Norfolk, NE about New Holland’s sponsorship of the Tour. I would have interviewed him in person if I’d been able to attend the first event of the week in Norfolk.

Larry just can’t say enough good about Michael and that’s something I experience wherever I go. I asked Larry what he thought about a company like New Holland sponsoring this Tour and he says it’s a great marketing tool. For example, he says that whenever and wherever Michael performs, the New Holland brand is being seen and associated with someone who is expressing and promoting the right values. He believes the message is getting to the right audience too.

You can listen to my interview with Larry here:

Listen to

My Real Life Tour Photo Album

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Real Life Tour School Stops

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My Real Life TourThis morning the Michael Peterson, My Real Life Tour, put on a great show for the students at Lincoln Southwest High School. We had thunder and lightning outside and an awesome show inside. You can click on the photo for a bigger one.

You can get a pretty good sense of what these tour stops are like at the schools from the photo album which has over 200 photos in it so far and some of the video clips I’ve done. The final school stop will be later this afternoon.

Tomorrow I’ll be attending the final performance which is a full show at the Pershing Center. All the events during this week have been promoting it and leading up to it.

My Real Life Tour Photo Album

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland

AgWired Live TV of My Real Life Tour

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AgWired Live TVYes, AgWired Live TV fans. We were broadcasting live from the My Real Life Tour stop at Lincoln Southwest High School this morning. For those of you who tuned in, you realize why I’ve got a new video camera on order. My little webcam isn’t built for a dark set with a brilliant spotlight and at a distance.

However, my sponsor, Gene Hemphill, New Holland, was watching back home in Pennsylvania. So he got to see what the show was like since he couldn’t be here.

Once we’ve got this new service figured out and I get the new gear I ordered this is going to be something we’ll be using in more locations and with some advance promotion. Count on it.

My Real Life Tour Photo Album

AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
New Holland