Race Setup

Chuck Zimmerman

Tractor Race Course SetupHere we are on a beautiful Sunday morning in Nashville. The New Holland team is setting up the race course for today’s celebrity tractor race. I just spoke with Michael Peterson. He’s already out here to make sure everything is ready. The race isn’t until after noon. I think he’ll be available to sign autographs here at the New Holland booth.

I’m in the Hilton hotel lobby across the street. Not just because it’s air conditioned but because I can get online here (for $9.95/day). I think someone needs to sponsor a “media room” for reporters here in the convention center and provide us with high speed internet access. I know I’m not the only one who needs it and there’s over 500 reporters here!

I’ll have lots more to come later today.

Tractor

Marketing Boomers To Country Music Fans

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast72 - Marketing To Country Music FansThe ZimmCast is coming to you from Nashville, TN this week. It’s country music time at the CMA Music Festival. I’m here blogging the event for New Holland and Michael Peterson. They’re hosting the first ever New Holland/Michael Peterson Celebrity Boomer Tractor Race.

This is an interesting venue for an agribusiness company to market their brand don’t you think? My sense is that they’re going to consider this a very successful investment. We hear talk about how to reach the lifestyle farmer and here’s one way to do it!

To find out more I interviewed Rick Murray, Country Music Association V.P. of Strategic Marketing. Rick tells us about why the CMA Music Festival is a great brand marketing venue for a company like New Holland.

Listen here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 72 (11 min MP3)

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes.

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Tractor Race Coming Up

Chuck Zimmerman

Tractor Race BannerThis is why we’re here.

On Sunday we’ll have a first for the CMA Music Festival. The music will be the sound of a New Holland tractor being driven by celebrity after celebrity.

It all starts at 1pm and ends about 3pm.

I’ll have pics, interviews and of course the winner right here.

Tractor

Mr. New Holland West Kentucky

Chuck Zimmerman

Mr. New HollandHere’s Mr. New Holland himself, Robert Hendrix. I think he’s a very distant relative of Jimi.

He was hard at work in the New Holland booth here at the CMA Music Festival today. I got him to talk about what he does. He’s the New Holland Area Sales Manager for western Kentucky. I watched him in action and wonder how many sales he made today. I can vouch for the fact that several people who just stopped by to enter the iPod contest walked away with materials to look at and think about.

You can listen to our interview here: Listen To MP3 Robert Hendrix Interview (3 min MP3)

Robert is also very adept at filling up balloons as you’ll see in this short video clip: Watch wmv file New Holland Booth Action (2 min WMV)

Audio, Tractor, Video

The Blue Booth

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland BoothThe New Holland booth crew here on Saturday.

It’s a little warm inside the tent but they have a fan and the fans are coming by.

They’re selling Michael Peterson, “Down on the Farm” CD’s and you can enter a contest to win a video iPod.

Tractor

Freddie The Bear

Chuck Zimmerman

Freddie BearMy man Freddie Bear was singing up a storm off Broadway here today.

I would like to see him onstage at the Coliseum. He should be opening things up at least.

Let’s get this guy a sponsor. Maybe compete on Nashville Star?

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Future Starting Pitcher

Chuck Zimmerman

BaseballI’m sure the reason Major League Baseball sets up a pitching cage at events like this is to search for those future stars.

Here’s one letting go of at least a 100mph fastball.

I would try it but since I have to protect my blogging arm. I wouldn’t want to throw it out don’t you know.

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A Legend At The Riverfront

Chuck Zimmerman

Mel TillisMel Tillis was hot. No, I don’t mean that way. I mean it was hot down by the Riverfront today and Mel Tillis performed with his band and daughter Pamela.

The crowd didn’t really care about the heat though. They wanted to hear a country music legend and that’s what they got.

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Fun In The Sun

Chuck Zimmerman

Baby Bull RideThis is about as challenging a bull ride as I’d want to be on.

There is a lot of country music going on here in Nashville and a lot of family fun too. With this beautiful weather I’m sure it’s going to be another packed day in downtown.

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Roy Rogers Daughter Interview

Chuck Zimmerman

Cheryl Rogers-BarnettWhen I visited the Country Music Hall of Fame yesterday I just happened to walk by a book signing by Cheryl Rogers-Barnett, the oldest daughter of Roy Rogers. You can find out all about her on her website.

Cheryl has written a book titled, “Cowboy Princess” which is her perspective of growing up in the Rogers family. I waited until the signing was over and we did a short interview which I think you’ll enjoy.

Cheryl said that she didn’t “have the talent” to be a star like her parents but I’d say she has lots of talent after talking with her. After listening to her I think you’ll agree. You can find her books at book stores or just visit her website.

You can listen to our interview here: Listen To MP3 Cheryl Barnett Interview (8 min MP3)

Audio