NAMA Leader Plans Being Made

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA 50The National Agri-Marketing Association is making plans to replace outgoing staff leader Eldon White. Current president, Stephanie Gable had this to say.

Eldon White notified the executive committee this week that he has made the decision to resign his position with NAMA to become executive vice president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association in Fort Worth, Texas.

We appreciate the contributions Eldon has made to our organization over the last 16 years. As we prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary at our annual conference in a couple weeks, we have much to celebrate – an organization that is more than 3,000 professional and student members strong, representing every facet of our exciting industry.

The executive committee will work swiftly to put an interim transition plan and search process into place. As these plans are developed, we pledge to keep you informed on their progress. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me or any member of the NAMA Executive Committee. We ask in advance for your cooperation and patience as we embark on a new chapter in the history of the National Agri-Marketing Association. As always, the NAMA staff will be available to assist you with any questions you may have.

Eldon will remain with NAMA through the upcoming National Agri-Marketing Conference. He and his wife, Val, plan to relocate to Fort Worth sometime this summer.

Please join me in thanking Eldon for his contributions to NAMA and wishing him the best of luck in his new position.

NAMA

Michael Sings The National Anthem

Chuck Zimmerman

Michael Sings the National AnthemI think singing the National Anthem is one way of judging someone’s voice.

Have you ever noticed that or is it just me?

After the army recruit swearing in ceremony Michael Peterson sang the Anthem and showed that he’s got a great voice. This recording is from the control board next to the announcer so you can hear the producers in the background a little bit.

I hope you’ll enjoy it like I do. I can’t hear our country’s National Anthem without getting choked up. I don’t know about you.

Here’s Michael singing the Anthem:
3-hills-rodeo-07-anthem.mp3

Audio, New Holland, Rodeo

New Army Recruits

Chuck Zimmerman

Army Swearing in CeremonyOne of the highlights of the Three Hills Rodeo in Green Bay was the swearing in of a fresh young batch of high school senior army recruits. On hand to do the honors was Col. Jill Chambers.

You can see her in front of the recruits, leading them in the oath. Standing out in front of them is Michael Peterson who is ready to sing the National Anthem.

You can hear the Col. Chambers lead the oath:
3-hills-rodeo-07-recruits.mp3

If you would like to watch the whole ceremony I’ve got it on YouTube now. It’s just over 8 minutes long including Michael singing the National Anthem.

Audio, New Holland, Rodeo

A Day With Michael Peterson Photo Album

Chuck Zimmerman

Michael & Tacey PetersonProbably the best way to get an idea of what a day following Michael Peterson around is like is to watch the pictures I took today as a slide show. You can find them in the Zimmages section in the upper right side of the page or you can visit my online Flickr photo album which has 294 pictures from today.

Michael’s wife Tacey joined us this afternoon. Here she and Michael are enjoying the Three Hills Rodeo which is just concluding.

You can find the photos here: Three Rivers Rodeo Photo Album

I’ve got a lot more to post but it’s late and I’m heading home early in the morning. Look for more in the next day or so.

New Holland, Rodeo

On YouTube We’re Live on the Radio

Chuck Zimmerman

Y-100 ShowI told you we had fun in the Y-100 studio this morning. Talking with the Bear & Charli. This is Charli in the middle with Michael Peterson (left) and BJ Schumacher (right).

I shot a video clip while they were in one live segment and got it uploaded to YouTube this afternoon. I’m using a new camera and had to download and install a couple of things to get it formatted correctly. Just adding to my toolbox you know.

So here’s the video. You can find it on YouTube here.

I’m going to have more coverage for you either later tonight or over the weekend. I’m getting ready to head on out for the evening’s rodeo and have no idea when I’ll be back in front of the computer. See you then

New Holland, Rodeo, Video

B J Schumacher is World Bull Riding Champion

Chuck Zimmerman

BJ SchumacherWhen is gets down to it, someone has to ride the bulls and the broncs in a rodeo. One of the best, actually the best, is BJ Schumacher.

BJ is currently the world champion bull rider and we’ll see him in action tonight at the Three Hills Rodeo here in Green Bay, WI.

I talked to BJ about how and why he got involved with rodeo. He started at about 9 years old and learned it all from “the old man.” He says you just have to accept the fact that you’re going to get hurt too.

Here’s my interview with BJ Schumacher:
3-hills-rodeo-07-schumacher.mp3

Thanks to Gene Hemphill for taking some pics of me, for me.

Audio, New Holland, Rodeo

Bull Fighter Rory Meeks

Chuck Zimmerman

Rory Meeks - Rodeo Clown & Bull FighterIt takes a lot of guts or something else to be a good Bull Fighter or Rodeo Clown.

A rodeo clown or bull fighter is a rodeo performer who works on bull riding contests. His primary job is to protect the rider from the bull after he dismounts or is bucked off, by distracting the bull and providing alternative targets for the bull to chase.

Rory Meeks here has a lot of whatever that is and we’ll get to see him help out some bull riders here at the Three Hills Rodeo tonight.

Rory says he played high school in college and that getting run over by a bull isn’t much different than getting run over by a big linebacker. You can learn more about Rory and what he does for a living in my interview with him.

Here’s my interview with Rory Meeks:
3-hills-rodeo-07-meeks.mp3

Audio, New Holland, Rodeo

Michael on With The Bear & Charli

Chuck Zimmerman

Michael Peterson live radioAfter the tv interviews this morning we headed on over to WYNC for a couple of live segments with Bear & Charli.

Michael is sitting in the Y-100 studio and talking about his New Holland, Down on the Farm CD and the great causes we’re supporting through the rodeo entertainment venue.

The Bear and Charli were a lot of fun. I hope they come on out to the performance tonight.

New Holland, Rodeo

Michael Peterson TV Interviews

Chuck Zimmerman

Michael Peterson with CBS AffiliateIn the early hours this morning Michael Peterson did live shots with the local CBS affiliate.

In this one he ended the segment with a live song on his guitar. We’re going to get to hear Michael sing the national anthem tonight to start the Three Hills Rodeo. He’s also going to be doing a special performance with the Army and I’ll have more on that later.

It was fun watching these reporters (hey I’m one too) at work. I didn’t get their names. This one did one of her live segments while sitting on top of a live bull in a chute. That took some guts and you could tell by listening to her afterward that it got her adrenaline pumping.

New Holland, Rodeo

A Day With Michael Peterson

Chuck Zimmerman

Michael Peterson with NBC AffiliateA day in the life of country music star Michael Peterson. Sounds like a book or a movie. Actually, it’s the theme of my posts here in Green Bay, WI at the Three Hills Rodeo.

This morning we started out at 6am with live spots on local tv and radio stations. Here’s Michael being interviewed by the local NBC affiliate.

We’re standing in the rodeo arena, on the floor. I was very much hoping the bulls they had out for this stayed tucked away safely in their chutes.

New Holland, Rodeo