Michael Peterson Wraps Things Up

Chuck Zimmerman

Michael Peterson on TractorAt the end of today’s Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race the man took a turn on the course himself. Michael did great with a time of 52.8 seconds. However, that didn’t beat race winner Todd Fritsch’s time.

I did a wrapup interview with Michael which Todd joined in on. Michael says the estimate is up to about 1,500 people out here today and I think that’s pretty accurate. He really appreciates what New Holland is doing and his relationship with the company. Listen to Michael wrap things up in our interview: cma-07-peterson-wrapup.mp3

I’ve got some more interviews and some more video that I’ll post over the coming days. For now it’s time for me to wrap things up in Nashville and work on the next venue which will take place in Washington, DC.

CMA Music Festival Photo Album

Audio, New Holland, Tractor

Todd Fritsch Wins Celebrity Tractor Race

Chuck Zimmerman

Todd FritschThe winner of the Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race is Todd Fritsch. Amazingly Todd was the last contestant and he blew away the competition. I think his time was 52.6 seconds.

I met Todd last year and it appears that his career is doing well. He’s a country boy who plays country music. He was excited when I interviewed right after he won the race. Todd’s charity of choice is the Saddle Up program. So part of the proceeds from the auctioning off of this year’s tractor will go to it. You can hear him talk about it in the interview I did with him: cma-07-fritsch.mp3

CMA Music Festival Photo Album

Audio, New Holland

Rachael Baribeau Competes in Tractor Race

Chuck Zimmerman

Michael Peterson and Rachael BaribeauOne of the contestants out here at the Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race is Rachael Baribeau. She’s an ESPN host of their “In The Zone” program.

Rachael says she’s never been on a tractor like the one used for the competition here today (New Holland Boomer). I think she did really well considering. Right before we got started I did a short interview with her. Like everyone I spoke with today, she really supports what Michael and New Holland are doing especially when it comes to promoting biodiesel. You can listen to my interview with her here: cma-07-baribeau.mp3

If you’d like to see Rachael’s competition run then just check her out on YouTube. (Give it a few minutes if it doesn’t show up right away)

CMA Music Festival Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, New Holland, Video

Michael Peterson Starts The Racing Action

Chuck Zimmerman

Michael got things started this afternoon at his 2nd Annual Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race. I have the start of it on video for you. (If it doesn’t play for you then check back in a few minutes since it’s stil processing on YouTube)

In the video you’ll see the tractor that all the contestants will sign after they race. It’s showing the course to demonstrate for everyone so they can see what they need to do.

Dont forget to check out the photo album.

CMA Music Festival Photo Album

New Holland

Celebrity Tractor Race Crowd Heats Up

Chuck Zimmerman

Tractor Race CrowdI don’t know what the temperature is out here today at the Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race but it hasn’t killed the enthusiasm of this crowd. They are into this event.

We’re just having a great time watching these celebrities compete. It’s all for a good cause as this year’s tractor that they’re all signing will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to FFA and the charity of the winner’s choice.

I’ve got video and audio to edit and post for you later on today but out here at the race just isn’t the best place to try to do it.

CMA Music Festival Photo Album

New Holland

The Celebrity Tractor Race is On

Chuck Zimmerman

Lee BriceThe first driver in the Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race was Lee Brice. He set a pretty high standard.

His time however has been beat and the current leader is A. J. Clark with a time of 53.8 seconds.

I don’t think we’ll have a crowd count but it looks to me like we’ve got twice as many people out here today as last year. If this thing gets any bigger we might have to move to L.P. Field next year!

CMA Music Festival Photo Album

New Holland

The Mike and Mike Show

Chuck Zimmerman

Mike Adams and Michael PetersonI guess we’ll have to call it the Mike and Mike show here today. Both Mike’s will be on the microphone announcing and talking with the celebrities as they stop by for their turn at racing a New Holland Boomer.

Here’s Mike Adams (left) and Michael Peterson studying the list of contestants and making sure they’re ready for things.

Besides a crowd it looks like we’ve got a number of media representatives out this year covering the event. It’ll be interesting to see where all this shows up.

CMA Music Festival Photo Album

New Holland

AgriTalking With Joe About Biodiesel

Chuck Zimmerman

Mike Adams interviews Joe JobeWe’re live on the scene here for the Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race.

Here’s our announcer, Mike Adams, AgriTalk, interviewing Joe Jobe, National Biodiesel Board prior to the activities. We don’t start until 1pm but there’s already a crowd gathered on the bleachers in the sun. It’s a hot one and the tractor racing action is going to be even hotter.

I’ll try to put some posts up during the afternoon as time allows.

CMA Music Festival Photo Album

Biodiesel, New Holland

Michael Peterson On Stage At CMA Music Festival

Chuck Zimmerman

Michael PetersonWhile I was on stage this morning when Michael Peterson performed I got a short video clip. It’s only 30 seconds long because that’s all we’re allowed to use from any performance due to CMA media rules.

I just thought you might want to get a feel for the performance and the crowd and this is a way to do that pretty easily. The song Michael is performing here with his band is one of the new ones that will be coming out later this year.

CMA Music Festival Photo Album

New Holland, Video

Getting Ready For a Tractor Race

Chuck Zimmerman

Celebrity Tractor RaceIt’s about time to take a break for the day here at the CMA Music Festival. Tomorrow I’ll be covering (pictures and interviews) at the Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race. My hope is to have my posts done by tomorrow night before I head out of here early on Monday.

The race starts at 1pm and will take quite a while since I think Michaels said he’s got 34 contestants this year. I know Tanya Tucker is back and she’s hungry for victory.

CMA Music Festival Photo Album

New Holland, Tractor