The concertlater gained a secure foothold in Alabamamusic history -- fans here still ooh and aah about it -- but it wasn't a money-making proposition. Chuck Berry was an intro-act, great show he put on. I believe that city has a particular significance to you. The group recorded a few songs at Muscle Shoals FAME Studios, played around the Los Angeles area with big name bands like Vanilla Fudge and Three Dog Night, and once opened for Jimi Hendrix. Keith Richards was almost electrocuted when his guitar grounded on a mic. Montgomery's home for country music favorites like Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert . A guy during intermission pulled his hankee out of his pockes and a gun fell out and fired a round into the row od seats in front of us. He remembers the Kove days with Harvest/Harmony fondly, not only for the bands music but the people who came to see them. Readers shared fond memories of June Jam, the annual music festival that ran 1982-1997. +40 (724) 307.599 Lu - Vi: 9:00 - 18:00; big bam shows montgomery, alabama No mention does anyone else remember that?". "Me and my girlfriends would get up at -- holy moly, 6 a.m. -- and get there long before the show ever started," said Connie Peek, a former Shower of Stars regular, during a 2003 interview with The Birmingham News. The Lovin' Spoonful. He even did about 30 seconds of Sweet Home Alabama (that was before that song was worn out). There were a lot of fun people.. Deep South Broadcasting was the licensee of WBAM-AM, 740 kc with 50,000 watts daytime in Montgomery. I tasted my first grits there my very first grit (laughs). Originally licensed in 1953 as WBAM, the station broadcast contemporary and country music before turning It made me feel good in a way, he said. The entire show was magic, beginning with The Stranger and of course included many of the unknown Joel early songs. Alabama Shakespeare Festival 192 Theaters By Questovia Attended the production of Macbeth in this stunning theater and enjoyed every moment of it. We were waiting at the Holiday Inn, in the bar at the hotel having a beer. THE 5 BEST Upcoming Concerts & Shows in Montgomery - Tripadvisor ", "I don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but for the Alabama Theater I would definitely include Warren Zevon's show in, what?.1986 or '87?, said earman1. ", From dassani: "I was there Could not have been better! Roy Orbis. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Were a dance band.. It wasnt concerts where you played and 500 people sat down and listened to you. Music lovers would line up at each venue, some arriving hours in advance, then rush inside to secure their favorite general-admission seats. The Rogues recorded the 45 in February of 1966, for MBM Records, a Birmingham, Alabama label that goes back to the early '60s. nellson nutraceutical revenue; arlington catholic basketball roster; jack cawood and suzy hunt; lawn vacuum for acorns rental. Big Bam Show Montgomery, Al 1960s F.U.N. | Views, Montgomery, Pandora Brennan, now 86, introduced the Beatles at the Gator Bowlin Jacksonville, Fla., when the Fab Four played there on Sept. 11, 1964. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He recalls the popular hangouts for older teens and the legendary "Big Bam Shows" of the period. ); Lynyrd Skynyrd and Black Oak Arkansas, Rickwood Field (1975); Pink Floyd, Legion Field (1994); Peter Frampton and Robin Trower, Oak Mountain (1994); Rolling Stones, Legion Field (1994); Bruce Springsteen, BJCC, 2002; and, James Brown, Jubilee CityFest Montgomery (2003). If you have one, it's going to be way down the other part of the field.' Herman's Hermits in the studio, Barry Whitwam on drums. Dan Brennan, center, with the Grass Roots. Oxford American | He Made You Look into the Abyss and Like It ", "Leo Kottke, Foster Auditorium, UA campus, about 1974," said 57939names. J. Frank Wilson, and The Webs. After helping escort her safely away from an unruly crowd, she rewarded him with a big kiss. The Fab Four wouldnt play to segregated audiences, and at that time this was the case in Alabama. Id never seen anybody get an audience so excited, Dan Brennan remembered. The Other Side of Montgomery - Google Books She came back a few minutes later and absolutely blasted a massive bongo solo. ", From Shapeshiftinhmojo: "Jimi Hendrix played Alabama twice in both Tuscaloosa and Auburn in 1968 or 69. ", From bamamaam: "What about the lynyrd skynyrd concert at rickwood field in the '70's.? "Bill" Brennan, one of the owners of The Big Bam, Montgomery's renowned 50,000-watt radio station. Its amazing the life we got to live.. From au92536: "June Jam in Fort Payne - I know it's country BUT. One of the most powerful Shower of Stars events happened on May 7, 1965, when WVOK brought the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys to Legion Field. There was always so much excitement surrounding the shows, Knapp said. We had enough left over that, for a lot of our promotions after that, people would get free raincoats.". He was replaced by Johnny Townsend from Tuscaloosa, who was living with Duane and Gregg Allman in LA. By March 15, 2021 No Comments. Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys were the headliners that evening, and the billincluded Kitty Wells, Johnnie and Jack, Fred Wamble, Jack Turner and Buddy Hawk. "We never had a flop," Brennan says, "but we had some shows that were a little bit bigger than others. ", From Larry Gilbreath: "I know it's been a long time ago but not one single June Jam in Fort Payne on the list unbelievable." I can sing as good or better now than I did then, said Grier. The other was Municipal Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where a show had been set for September 15 th. ", From Don Haley Benson: "Bruce Springsteen Born in the USA! Office Phone: (334) 244-0961 Office Fax: (334) 279-9563 Rick Peters - President / General Manager Jennifer Pestrichelli - Director of Sales Jay Scott - Operations Manager Shelby Ingram - Promotions Director WBAM-FM /98.9 (" Bama Country 98.9 ") is a country music formatted radio station that serves the Montgomery Metropolitan Area, broadcasting on the FM band at a frequency of 98.9 MHz and licensed to Montgomery, Alabama. ", Looking back on it, Brennan realizes that bringing the Beatles to the Gator Bowl was a milestone event -- one firmly enshrined in Beatles lore and noted by Ron Howard in his 2016 documentary, "Eight Days a Week -- The Touring Years." He didn't insist onphotos. "I think the story about Buckingham Nicks is pretty interesting. (It was free.) Most of the clubs have gone to a single performer, or a duo or karaoke. People would come night after night, said Lander, who owns Bama Lanes in Montgomery and Prattville. Members: Original members John Key, David Headley and Bob Corley plus David Langford, Mike Mobley, Larry Hughes, Bobby Johnson and Rick Roper. According to Dan, the only surviving brother, it was Bill's decision to offer$50,000 to the Beatles for their appearance at the Gator Bowl. the tall man aboriginal spirit; metadata api request failed: component conversion failed: file_ended; caleb foote sandlot I always was impressed about how well the bands performed when they were live, even though the Coliseum acoustics werent so good.. Some of the concerts took place in a single location -- most often, Jacksonville. The Louvin Brothers. Men. Two years later WBAM went country and the station was later sold. WVOK is now all-sports. In one fell swoop, he was in hot demand. Still, for radio listeners who tuned into WVOK back in the day, Brennan will always be Dan the Music Man. Anybody else remember seeing Joplin in Tuscaloosa? . That's how we put together our shows. Edgar Winter Group with the Frankenstein tour," said Rick Allen. One of Brennan's favorite anecdotes concerns a young Elvis Presley, making waves and jostling for position before a concerton Dec. 3,1955, at Garrett Coliseum. Neither Tommy Shaw nor Beth Nielsen Chapman will be on hand due to their schedules. Both stations played Top 40 hits of the day, and the concerts were the Brennans gifts to a loyal radio audience. They didn't come to hear me; they came to hear the Rolling Stones.'". We played a lot of soul music, the Beatles, the Stones, he said. A real commercial from the 60's with announcer Bill J Moody .Exciting times as a teen.growing up in Montgomery. I was blown away. Many regulars from the Kove days brought their grown children and will likely do so again. ", Several readers mentioned Lynyrd Skynyrd as a given, pointing to various concerts throughout the state. The only multiple-act show in the country similar to what the Brennans offered were those produced by Dick Clark. These are just a few of the acts presentedby the Brennans during the 1950s, '60s and early '70s. People came from several states to see these shows. That radio station had its concerts, too, dubbedJet-Fli Spectaculars, at the Soldiers &Sailors Memorial Auditorium. Solid show during a year held in very high regard by a large number of Deadheads. If possible, the Brennans liked to present the same lineup of artists in all three cities over a single weekend, offering three shows in Birmingham for the Shower of Stars, one in Montgomery. He kicked it off with (what else?) Montgomery, AL | Data USA Big Bam All-Star Spring Show Setlists Apr 8 1967 Date Saturday, April 8, 1967 Venue Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, AL, USA So far there are setlists of 9 gigs Saturday, April 8, 1967 Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, AL Blues Magoos Brian Hyland Lou Christie The Buckinghams The Casinos The Electric Prunes The Royal Guardsmen The Turtles Capital Cool. 6 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 1. Deep South was incorporated in late July of 1950 with a capitalization of $60,000. The Righteous Brothers. We do everything from Jerry Jeff Walker to the Grateful Dead to Van Morrison, says Pappas. Zero , Northwest Florida: 08/22/2010 - 08/29/2010 - Blogger Make Favorite Store Contact 1957 Cobbs Ford Rd. He showed up about five minutes before his show was to go on. The Brennan Brothers were radio broadcast innovators of the 1950s and 60s, when they owned and operated powerhouse stations in Jacksonville, Chattanooga, and . But the moment was indelible for one of his daughters, Debbie Brennan Bartoletti. ", Brennan, headquartered in Birmingham, rode herd over the Shower of Stars and was the primary talent buyer for the concerts, along with his other duties at WVOK. In the 1950s and '60s, Montgomery, Alabama, was ground zero f. Home; My Books; Browse . "My brother, he was always a little bit of a gambler," Brennan says. Nothing else necessary. I said, 'Elvis, I'm sorry, but we can't accommodate you, because it is his show.' We enjoyed all the years we spent in radio, said Dan Brennan, who now owns a video production company in Birmingham. "I felt that I was lucky to be able to have the kind of job I had," Brennan says. They agreed to do it, but they were on one end of it, and the Beach Boys were on the other end of it. All who attended the big September 19th show must present ticket stub at gate between 12 noon and 1PM. Rock 'n' roll had just started, and you were right in the middle of it.". Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park 52 Theaters Parks By Meowy We'd be there from the crack of dawn until midnight. There are still a lot of local bands out there, said Sonny Grier, lead singer with the Rockin Gibraltars. Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, AL, USA Concert Setlists | setlist.fm "One of the the things we had to do, in order to provide bathroom facilities for all of the artists, we had a bunch of RVs, recreation vehicles, and they were all over the field out there," Brennan says. The rock band played several times at the Shower of Stars and appeared at one of the last few shows in the concert series, in July 1972. The last concert at Big Bam Fall Spectacular was on September 30, 1966. I was there both times. I always got seats on the floor for the shows. At the time, though, Brennan was simply doing his job, helping the family's radio stations to connect with listeners in a vivid, concrete way. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. on. But in the stations' 1960s heyday, shows usually kicked off on Fridays inMontgomery atGarrett Coliseum and moved to Birmingham on Saturdays at Municipal Auditorium (now called Boutwell Auditorium). Biography Toni Tennille Toni loved doing the show, but Daryl, who never enjoyed being on camera, did not. George Harrison is behind Dan on the left, John Lennon on the right. The station is locally owned and operated by Bluewater Broadcasting Company, LLC. Then another. Zero , Northwest Florida: 06/18/2006 - 06/25/2006 - Blogger When Cher and Sonny first met in 1963, she was 16, while he was 27 and married (he and his first wife were separated). TheRolling Stones were closing the gap quickly, though, with a tougher, bluesier songbook that included "The Last Time," "Play With Fire" and "Time Is On My Side." Both stations played Top 40 hits of the day, and the concerts were the Brennans' gifts to a loyal radio audience. "Rickwood Field, late 70's. "Radio played the song every twenty minutes. Performers would play to more than 10,000 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery Friday night (for Tommy James in 1967 it just seemed like 30,000), then pack-up and play three shows in Birmingham on Saturday. The WMSP studios are located on the 3rd floor of . He doesnt keep up with Johnny Townsend, but remains friends with Rusty Crumpton and Ed Sanford, who is a successful artist in Los Angeles. I just went to the Coliseum for the music. The audience was huge, sold out, 10,000 or more. For this little kid from Wetumpka, that was a big, big deal, he said. zhonb.zulukazahn.best "I'm so. The Show That Almost Happened And if we hadn't had (Hurricane Dora), we would have made a lot of money. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Paul Revere & the Raiders. truly historic happening. "Elviswas an opening act," Brennan says. "I'm so old. Beavers and Jones will be joined by former members Kelvin Holly, who works in the recording industry in Muscle Shoals and tours with Neil Young, and Bill Hinds, who tours with the Paul Thorn Band. Canned Heat. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The Alabama band was the organizer and centerpiece, raising money for charity. While Gator Bowl officials relented to a desegregated audience for the concert, two other venues Epstein had chosen were problematic. Concert History of Garrett Coliseum Montgomery, Alabama, United States The Brennans often picked up and drove band members to and from the airport and hotels, quite a thrill for Diane Brennan Knapp and Donnie Kay Brennan, daughters of Cyril Brennan and teenagers at the time. Pin on The Old Record Case - pinterest.com George Cumuze, RN, Case Manager 4150 Carmichael Court Montgomery, AL 36106 334-270-2274. show . Which concerts will go down in history at Alabama music venues? [2] Originally licensed in 1953 as WBAM, the station broadcast contemporary and country music before turning to sports talk under the WMSP callsign in 1995. Their first gig was at the Wetumpka Recreation Center where admission was $1. Rare Earth. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Nov 2011 Prime Montgomery by Bob Corley - Issuu Fans also rushed to nominate their favorites when asked for feedback. "I remember the Rolling Stones came up to me, and they said, 'You don't really expect us to get into the same RV that the Beach Boys are in, do you?' Montgomery | Garage Hangover WMSP is a radio station licensed to serve Montgomery, Alabama, United States. But theres not a whole lot of money because theres no place for them to play. This was the last concert they did before going back to LA and joining the band Fleetwood Mac. big bam shows montgomery, alabama 1984 at the BJCC. Hes been in a few movies, raced sports cars and been inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. My personal favorite concert of all times was Billy Joel at the BJCC Concert Hall. Where else could you scream your head off while watching a dozen live acts play the hit songs you listened to on your transistor radio for the whopping ticket price of $2.50? Because it was so big, we ran on stage as soon as we were introduced, grabbed our instruments and started playing before the applause died down. FUNK-ON. WBAM ~ Trax & Grooves - Blogger Ask anyone who was there. Or Nirvana at Boutwell in 1993?Or Roger McGuinn at Merrimack Hall in 2014? Big Bam Fall Spectacular Concert History - Concert Archives He said, 'We're going to put both of them on.' (In 1965, Legion Field could seat more than 68,000 people.) Show Hide article text (OCR) He was a very special guy. More on the Grateful Dead's 1995 shows in Birmingham, from AL.com's "Lost Stories" series. Oh, and some guy named David on slide. Brennan, who understands the pull of nostalgia, says he's heard similar sentiments from many Birmingham folkswho came of age at the Shower of Stars. Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. Now sales manager for a Dothan radio station, Moody fondly remembers working as a teenager at a 1959 WBAM concert featuring singer Connie Francis. You are free to use the above map for educational and similar purposes; if you publish it online or in print . The station's transmitter is located in the town of Grady, Alabama. Bell. It was electric. George Howell, who as George the D.J. co-hosted Hubcap Classics, was a big fan of the BAM shows beginning in the 9th grade. big bam shows montgomery, alabama snapchat chat bitmoji peeking. In the 1960's WVOK, in Birmingham Alabama, would have the top bands play at one huge concert. He also helped to choose and line up some of the concert talent. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Tickets to these shows were typically $3 to $4. Herman's Hermits. From:"Rodney Justo" To:"robert register" Subject:Re: HEY EL NIXO! "One of my favorites was RUSH 1981 Mobile Municipal Auditorium," said tgfmiss. ", All three Brennan brothers were ambitious businessmen who worked as a team. The football stadiumposed a few extra challenges, Brennan says, from seating assignments to sound quality to weather preparation. Contact - Bama Country 98.9 - WBAM This doesn't even scratch the surface! I told someone to lower the seat, and when I sat down, it went all the way to the bottom, he said, chuckling. Those two days in Alabama left a lasting impression on us because it was how we measured the rest of our gigs.. If you were a teenager anywhere near Montgomery in the mid-60s and early 70s, the concert scene didnt get any better than the fanfests known as the Big BAM shows. ", Also on his list: "Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, and Jesse Colin Young and The Youngbloods, Legion Field, sometime in the 70's. ', "We went over there and asked Roy, and he said, 'No, we're not going to do that. With the help of Bill Moody and Cyril Brennan at WBAM, their music was played on the 100,000-watt radio station, helping the group built a following as an R&B band. Dan'sbrother, Cyril Brennan, who lived in Montgomery, held several titles during his tenure at WBAM: chief engineer, station manager and program director among them. REENADED . The band also played Birmingham in May 1977, according to this story by Madison Underwood. "It was cold outside, show was to begin at 6 but began at 9; coeds from T-town waited for 2nd show which was to begin at 9 but began at about 2 next morning, had to get permission to stay in those days and freeze outside at Auburn University Coliseum. big bam shows montgomery, alabama - mmischools.com His current band, The Soul Crackas, does many of the same soul hits the Rockin Gibraltar performed. Memorial Coliseum, now known as Coleman Coliseum. We didnt play where people sat around and drank. ", From rtrmark: "Alice Cooper. Alabama State Coliseum (1951-1963) Garrett Coliseum (1963-) Oct 5 2019 The most entertaining act? "In those days, you could go to a concert and there was only one back door. They responded, swiftly and passionately, to a recent post listing 31 of the greatest shows at venues throughout the state. The Fabulous Shades, 1965. 1973(?). 9781603060554: The Other Side of Montgomery: Growing Up White in the Gate Band . He never collectedconcertposters, handbills orother pieces of memorabilia. By 1972 the heyday of the big shows had passed. Tickets were priced at$1.50-$5.50 per show, Brennan says, and artists' fees usually ran about $300-$7,500 per act. They were a staple at dances for years, packing National Guard armories, gymnasiums, and teen clubs from Montgomery to Opp and Troy, and college campuses at Tuscaloosa, Auburn and Ole Miss. We came along at just the right time.. Elton John played three different years and drew over 40,000 total. Patsy Cline. Clapton! He wants to go on late in the show.' Springsteen played the 'short end' of the the Beard-Eaves with the curtain up. Flintstone House - Exploring Montgomery I never chased the stars around to hotels or anything. WBAM Big Bam Shows - YouTube In spirited retaliation, Paul Revere and the Raiders march in lock step across the stage behind performers Jan and Dean. We would skip class and work setting up the stages for free admission and backstage passes. The last Big BAM show was headlined by B.J. Brennan also remembers that Starr requested reinforcements to the stage area near his drum kit, because strong gusts lingered after the hurricane. Other notable former personalities included Bill J. Moody, Paul Simpkins, Mark Robbins, Gene Hocutt and Joe Cook. "We'd camp out at the door, on the steps and wait. The Captain and Tennille Show became a network hit and featured guest stars such as John Travolta, Don Knotts, The Pointer Sisters, and Red Foxx. WBAM Big Bam Shows Remembered 3,983 views Aug 25, 2013 A real commercial from the 60's with announcer Bill J Moody .Exciting times as a teen.growing up in Montgomery. So we had another beer. WBAM signed on in 1953 as AM 740. A memorable night that I won't ever forget. Think it was 1977," says Craigmo. Lindley. THE PROMOTIONAL POSTER OF THE WBAM, BIG BAM WINTER SPECTACULAR, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1967! He and his wife live north of Prattville in a 1930s shack, have three grown children and are expecting their first grandchild. It was a clear channel station that covered over 90 counties in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, and could be heard everywhere. Despite her young age -- she was 7 that year -- Bartoletti felt another emotion at the Gator Bowl: extreme pride. "Billsaid, 'Well, if anybody makes any money out of it, it's going to be me.' They enjoy reminiscing about the stars, the shows and the fans who made it possible. "Hendrix, Joplin, the Who, Elvis, Dylan all played in Tuscaloosa," said Jeremy Don McCollough. The Other Side of Montgomery : Growing Up White in the Birthplace of . But he's sure the introduction was brief, wasting no time as Beatlemania raged. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Top (l-r), Keith Brewer, Ed Sanford and Sonny Grier. The . Hal Hodgens of WVOK is second from left. It will be the first time theyve have been together since a reunion benefit at a local club in 2007. Your favorite concerts in Alabama music history - al.com at 3126 Jasmine Road, was built in the early 1960s by William J. Bob was producing a medical documentary in Alabama, and also was a promoter for Evil Kneival and Chill Wills. From Sell it to the tourists: "I saw an amazing Harry Chapin show at the BJCC Concert Hall in around 1978? It feels good. JLL put on a hell of a show also. ", Jerry Tavin/Photo courtesy of Everett Collection, From mcarter3: "Uhh. Where's Jimi Hendrix's concert at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa in 1969? I think he could call his own shots.". The Quad show was FREE! Readers of AL.com have plenty of ideas. Formed: 1966, Tallassee. "Ringo said, 'I'm not getting up there unless you build me a bannister around this thing.' Dislike Share. Cyril Brennan, who received a Top Program Director award from Billboard Magazine, is retired and lives in Pike Road. Later acts included the Beach Boys, the Animals, the Dave Clark Five, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Tommy James and the Shondells and the perennial Montgomery favorite, Lou Christie. One show in particular stands out. A buddy and I went down hoping for a miracle and some guy offered us two tickets for $10 bucks each which we gladly paid. Her harmonies with Eddie and Jimbo were legendary, and thus the group found its new name. $14 million dollar house maine; When Peter Noone left Hermans Hermits in 1971, Hermits drummer Barry Whitwam keep going, and today continues to lead his own Hermans Hermits band (as does Noone performing as Hermans Hermits starring Peter Noone).