Posted by coondog24 (anonymous) on May 19, 2010 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Until Georgiana decides to quit getting "has beens" and starts getting top name performers, the festival wont be like it used to be. I realize you've got to have money to make money but look at what Ronnie Gilley (one person) has done for Enterprise with Bama Jam. Why pay twenty five dollars to go see Sammy Kershaw when I can spend sixty to go see Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Greg Allman, Buddy Guy, Zac Brown Band, Jamey Johnson, Colt Ford, Hank Williams Jr, and the list goes on and on! The same entertainers every year in Georgiana. I'm suprised Gene Watson isn't coming. I realize some people may like Jett Williams, but there are ALOT more that don't. If I were in charge, that's the first act I would cut but that's my opinion.

Posted by SHS84 (anonymous) on May 20, 2010 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First off, Jett Williams puts money into this festival, so yes she comes back every year, duh, it was her daddy that the town is celebrating. 2nd, if you would get some facts straight, they have ALOT of sponsorship from different groups and organzations. Thats how they can afford to bring that many entertainers to the Bamajam. I hope you didn't think one man was footing the entire bill over there. And last, Gene Watson was booked that night or we would have had him. This is a festival to celebrate Hank Williams Sr's music. Not for the town to get rich.. If you could check the money spent in Butler county for that week you would find that more money is made in Greenville off of this festival than any other ocassion that happens in Butler county. And the city of Greenville will do nothing to support it. If you don't want to come to the festival, then don't, just quit badmouthing (MY) town.

Posted by SHS84 (anonymous) on May 20, 2010 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

After I had cooled down a little bit I decided to do a little investigating. I believe there are about 10 well known country artist that are stockholders of this festival. Ones like George Jones, Lorrie Morgan, Randy Owens and some more. I believe some are even stock holders of the casino down there called Country Crossing. You can go on there web page and it gives you a list of the sponsors. Like Verizon Wireless, Budweiser, Country Crossing, Jim Beam, CenturyLink, Pepsi Mtn Dew,Hardee's, Dodge Ram, SEAGO, and about 28 more. Some of these companies are here in Butler county. If Georgiana could get half of the businesses in Greenville to support the Hank Festival, don't you think then we could afford to get the entertainers who cost about $100,000.00 to do a show. Bama Jam's bill for the entertainment runs over 2 million dollars for the weekend. Oh BTW the tickets are about $160.00 for a three day general admission pass. But when you go take your binoculars with you because without them you will not even be able to see the entertainers. Might as well just listen to them on the radio.

Posted by coondog24 (anonymous) on May 20, 2010 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well seems to me like someone ought to get off their butt and try and round up sponsorship! It may be that the sponsors are tired of seeing the same acts every year too. Maybe yall ought to call it the Billy Joe Royal, Gene Watson, and Jett Williams festival because thats all who ever comes. HAS BEENS! What will happens when they are dead and gone? All Jett sings is Hank Sr. songs and says my daddy this and my daddy that. She never knew him! I have been to Bama Jam every year and will continue to go. You do not need binoculars unlike in Georgiana you can sit anywhere and see it all due to the crowd level. Better entertainment, better crowd. Makes sense to me, does it to you?

Posted by auburnfn (anonymous) on May 23, 2010 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Coondog, you are right!! Who wants to hear the old timers except for the old timers!! Go and look out across the audience and see the average age. You may find a 35 or 40 year old, bust mostly 55 and up!! I can remember when George Jones came that was one of the best years. The park was crowded and everyone had a great time no matter how polite George was. As for Jett, the organization does pay her thousands of dollars to perform, along with the other smaller names. Why not add all of the thousands together and get a larger name. Im not talking about Tim McGraw, but come on. I hate to say it, but the Hank Festival is a dying thing!!

Posted by Elybesa (anonymous) on May 23, 2010 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

They'd be doing the Festival a favor if they told Jett to stay home. And then get Hank Jr. to be the headliner for the show. Now THAT would breathe some life back into the event!! :-)

Posted by coondog24 (anonymous) on May 24, 2010 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you auburnfn and Elybesa. It's good to know that I'm not the only one out here who dislikes Jett and everything she does. Tell her that her contributions to the Hank Williams Fan Club are no longer needed and to stay at home. I have heard it more than once, from a very reliable source that the day Jett quits coming, Hank Jr would come. Until then, he will be playing Bama Jam! You know if he were to come, he would bring all his rowdy friends....Skynyrd and Kid Rock ect. If that's not what the people overseeing the festival want because it aint appealing to the blue haired ladies....I'm sorry. In 5-10 years from now, the festival will be a thing of the past!

SHS84, you mentioned that "If Georgiana could get half of the businesses in Greenville to support the Hank Festival, don't you think then we could afford to get the entertainers who cost about $100,000.00 to do a show." "If you could check the money spent in Butler county for that week you would find that more money is made in Greenville off of this festival than any other ocassion that happens in Butler county. And the city of Greenville will do nothing to support it." Well, the last time I checked, the festival is in GEORGIANA not GREENVILLE. Why would Greenville give money to Georgiana? Yes they have resturants and hotels there and Georgiana doesn't. Quit looking for a handout from someone else and learn how to get it for yourself! (yourself meaning the Hank Festival)

By the way, Daryle Singletary was in Troy this past weekend. Ten dollars to get in! (Double Branch Bar...seating capacity less than 300)

Posted by SHS84 (anonymous) on May 24, 2010 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As long as Hanks music lives on I believe the festival will continue. It has for 31 years and I haven't missed but one in 23 years years I have lived in Butler county. And yes we all have heard that if Jett wasn't there Hank Jr. would come. I'll be the first to tell you I am not a big fan of Jett's but she is willing to give her time and support to this festival. And I don't believe the festival is looking for any handouts from Greenville just support from the citizens of Butler county. Not badmouthing or downgrading remarks about what the city of Georgiana is trying to do. Believe me there are plenty of tax dollars that come from citizens of Georgiana and other rural areas of the county to help support the City of Greenville. Until we are able to afford the larger and newer entertainers we will have to take what we can get.

Posted by coondog24 (anonymous) on May 24, 2010 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just how much does she contribute? Money wise. you don't have to give an exact figure, just round about. Now then take that figure and weigh your odds with the crowd when Jr. comes. I guarantee the park would pack out. Hwy 106 would be a 2 lane because 2 of the 4 lanes would be for parked cars. If he never came and Jett didn't come back either, consider it a plus. A step in the right direction. I forgot about Brad Magness and Colin Leatherwood. Same ole broken record. By the way, this isn't bad mouthing, it's constructive critcism! I'm all for bettering the festival. Out with the old in with the new.