The Christmas spirit was definitely in the air as family members, friends, and fans came out to visit Luverne native Bobby Tomberlin and get the chance to purchase his new CD, “Living in The Wild.”

It was standing-room only at the Luverne Public Library on Dec. 23 as Tomberlin and his wife, Candi, did what any country music celebrities would do—signed autographs, took photos with friends and fans, and even sang a sample from the new CD.

“I was flattered that so many people attended the event,” Tomberlin said. “I could never express what this area and its people mean to me. I only wish I could have spent more time visiting with everyone. ”

Tomberlin considers his first CD a “labor of love,” one which also features such legends as Little Jimmy Dickens, Bill Anderson and Steve Wariner.

“I wanted a rootsy project with a lot of variety, and that’s what I got with some songs with a full band, some acoustic, and some with just four instruments,” he explained. “Craig White co-produced the project with me—he is one of my studio heroes having worked with acts like Hank Jr., Dolly, Vince and hundreds of others.”

Tomberlin sold 92 CDs during the afternoon event, something of which he is very proud.

“I am so pleased to have received so much positive response on the CD,” he said, “and the turnout at the library was just great. Candi and I were overwhelmed.”

In addition, three lucky winners came away with early Christmas gifts as Linda Hogwood, Mallory Franklin, and Paul Allen won the gift baskets filled with country music CDs, posters, albums and other memorabilia.

The long afternoon, however, soon turned into a very emotional evening for the family as Tomberlin’s uncle, Robert Pritchett, suffered a heart attack that same evening and was Lifeflighted to Montgomery.

“Robert had attended the CD signing and looked great and had a good time,” Tomberlin said. “He and my uncle, James Sipper, showed me my first chords on the guitar…Robert is doing well now and recovering, and that made Christmas just that much more special.”

“We were so pleased that Bobby had such a wonderful turnout,” Luverne Public Library Director Kathryn Tomlin said. “And we want to thank him for the generous donation he made to the library that day….he really makes Luverne proud.”

Tomberlin, who is also featured on CMT’s “The Singing Bee”, said he hoped to put on a show in Luverne sometime in 2010, featuring his wife, Candi, Singing Bee Music director/writer /composer Steve Dorff and himself.

“We perform several shows across the U.S. every year, and it would be cool to bring our show to Luverne,” he said. “Maybe we could even have a ‘Singing Bee’ segment in the show that could include some local folks.”

Bobby is the son of Hubert and Betty Tomberlin of Luverne. If you would like to purchase his new CD, “Living in The Wild”, please call 334-335-5883.