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I said, 'Well, this is Roy's show. "You didn't have to know anything about guitar to realize that he was one of the best ever to take the stage. 0. blues show montgomery, al 2021. Big Bam All-Star Spring Show Setlists Apr 8 1967 Date Saturday, April 8, 1967 Venue Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, AL, USA Report festival So far there are setlists of 9 gigs. Patsy Cline. Bobby Goldsboro | Way Back Attack He was replaced by Johnny Townsend from Tuscaloosa, who was living with Duane and Gregg Allman in LA. 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. And if we hadn't had (Hurricane Dora), we would have made a lot of money. I didn't stay afterwards, but my friends who did said that he stood in the lobby as long as anyone was there greeting fans and talking about world hunger. big bam shows montgomery, alabamasmart search field in safari. truly historic happening. The capsule was opened during a ceremony December 3, but a complete list of its contents were not released at the time. People came from several states to see these shows. ", From Denniswingo: "The Grateful Dead in 1978 at the Boutwell Auditorium. The station's transmitter is located in the town of Grady, Alabama. Otherwise . ", Also on his list: "Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, and Jesse Colin Young and The Youngbloods, Legion Field, sometime in the 70's. But it never happened. ", From TTownTony: "You cannot even imagine the concerts played in Tuscaloosa before the BJCC was built. At least 25 people tried to jump the stage during the concert and were knocked backward into the crowd by gigantic stage bouncers! WVOK is now all-sports. The band has undergone several incarnations. Although he admits to anoccasional pang of longing, looking back on his previouscareer, Brennan is far from retired. George Harrison is behind Dan on the left, John Lennon on the right. Its effortless., Even after all these years, agreed Jones. Many who danced the night away to the Rockin Gibraltars or who nursed a beer and smoked a cigarette listening to Harmony, recall those days with particular fondness and with nostalgia for a time that wont likely return. It was important to us.". ", From REDSEA: "While I was going to UNA back in 81, I worked on the Stage Crew on these concerts at UNA: Atlanta Rhythm Section (pictured), Jimmy Buffett, Tom Petty, Hotel, Crystal Gale. After the Beatles press conference, where the Fab Four were munching on potato chips, Diane Brennan, daughter of Cyril and Louise, grabbed the partially consumed shards in fear that her sister Donnie would eat them. 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." Members: Original members John Key, David Headley and Bob Corley plus David Langford, Mike Mobley, Larry Hughes, Bobby Johnson and Rick Roper. Members: Mitch Alton (original member), Gregg Pappas, Ham Wilson, Bill Marshall , Dwight Williams, Rick Byrd, Orville Cain, Carl Tesh. After helping escort her safely away from an unruly crowd, she rewarded him with a big kiss. WBAM | Brennan-Benns Broadcasting Lindley. Most of the clubs have gone to a single performer, or a duo or karaoke. In the 1950s and '60s, Montgomery, Alabama, was ground zero for many of the major events central to the civil rights movement in this country. I only have these pictures of all the concerts we attended from the early 1960's to late 1960's. This one in 1969, was probably the last one I attended. The author recalls with fondness the casual neighborliness that existed within his community, the freedom that children enjoyed to roam and play, and the slower pace of life that prevailed. Music of a Generation: Big BAM Shows | Prime Montgomery The . Oh, and some guy named David on slide. Vocalist in Salem, Alabama 1,320 views on fandalism. big bam shows montgomery, alabama . Anybody else remember seeing Joplin in Tuscaloosa? By 1972 the heyday of the big shows had passed. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. at 3126 Jasmine Road, was built in the early 1960s by William J. Originally licensed in 1953 as WBAM, the station broadcast contemporary and country music before turning Competition was evident between the two bands, Brennan says, as the Beach Boys returned for their splashiest date at the Shower of Stars, and the Stones made theirBirmingham debut on their first U.S. tour. "Times have changed so," said a wistful Peek, the Shower of Stars devotee. The most popular group, both Brennan brothers agree, was Hermans Hermits (see sidebar below). Here's what was in the 1969 Montgomery time capsule Yet. Many of the artists told me these were the biggest shows theyd ever done.. WBAM Big Bam Shows - YouTube big bam shows montgomery, alabama - cirujanoplasticoleon.com I just went to the Coliseum for the music. ", From UABMBA: "One of the greatest concerts in Alabama was The Rolling Stones with Chuck Berry at Auburn Memorial Coliseum, November 14, 1969. MEMORABLE SLOGANS | Page 2 | RadioDiscussions Brennan had many encounters with celebritiesover his three decades as a concert promoter, but says he never felt famous -- not even when he was widely regardedas a household name in Birmingham radio. Elton John played three different years and drew over 40,000 total. George Cumuze, RN, Case Manager 4150 Carmichael Court Montgomery, AL 36106 334-270-2274. show . Ticket prices were never more expensive than $4.00. It was a hold out because they had missed a previous show in May of 1974. And they accepted it, but we did get the total amount of the gate that came in. Their most popular singles were It Will Stand (also recorded by The Showmen) and Bug of Soul. The groups members drifted back to Alabama, with the exception of Townsend and Sanford who formed the Sanford-Townsend Band and recorded the hit Smoke from a Distant Fire.. I'll never forget it. My personal favorite concert of all times was Billy Joel at the BJCC Concert Hall. In Birmingham, we know of only one man who's had the honor: Dan Brennan, a former radio host, station manager, concert promoter and prime moverat WVOK-AM. (It was free.) Montgomery's home for country music favorites like Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert . snapchat chat bitmoji peeking. In the 1950s and '60s, Montgomery, Alabama, was ground zero for many of the major events central to the civil rights movement in this country. WBAM Big Bam Shows Remembered - YouTube 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. Skynnard (not really a fan) opening for Wet Willie - 1972-73(?). "This was a daytime concert that seemed like a war zone with fireworks flying everywhere. Yet there was also a gentler side of the city that. Still, for radio listeners who tuned into WVOK back in the day, Brennan will always be Dan the Music Man. Hal Hodgens of WVOK is second from left. We were the opening act and it was the biggest crowd we had ever played before, nearly 30,000 people. Hank Williams was another frequent live on-air performer. WVOK used Legion Field as a test case that spring, Brennan says, to see if the Shower of Stars could work at Birmingham's largest venue. At the time, Sonny was interested Cher's friend, not her. It made me feel good in a way, he said. Local garage bands (they practiced in their parents garages or living rooms) were found in almost every town in the United States in the mid-to late 60s, and the Montgomery area was no exception. Big BAM Shows of the late 1960s and early 1970s featured all the biggest artists of the day, including Paul Revere and the Raiders, Lou Christie, Iron Butterfly, The Carpenters, The Monkees (as a group and individually), Tommy Joyce and Bobby Heart, The Grass Roots, and many more. He plays locally at Ruddles, Coaches Corner in Wetumpka, Young Barn Oyster Pub, and has recorded a CD. Neil Diamond. Formed: 1963, Troy. "Little Feat at Boutwell mid 70s. We didnt play where people sat around and drank. At this point, Mick Jagger and his pals were poised to release"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," their first international smash. to see more entries, Posted on June 1, 2011 by bob in Features. "It was quite a thing.". But with two hotshot rock bandson the bill at Legion Field, the twangier acts faced a tougher crowd and some of the musicians felt like underdogs. But theres not a whole lot of money because theres no place for them to play. The last Big BAM show was headlined by B.J. Ticket prices were never more expensive than $4.00. Several members still play in other bands for private parties, or solo at local restaurants, and on June 9, several members of Harmony plan a reunion show at the Blue Iguana in Prattville. There are still a lot of local bands out there, said Sonny Grier, lead singer with the Rockin Gibraltars. Men. He would tear up the piano, Moody said, We couldnt find anyone to provide a piano, but he would put on a show. "Put You Down" was written by lead guitarist Max Kendrick and vocalist Rich Gainer. Bobby Goldsboro was having a nice run of hits in the mid-'60s when suddenly, with the release of a song called "Honey" in 1968, he became a major star. You are free to use the above map for educational and similar purposes; if you publish it online or in print . The bands would come in cars -- just plain old cars -- and they'd get their guitars out and walk past you. Their annual Big Bam shows, and Show of Stars were traveling medicine shows and featured Lou Christie, Roy Orbison, The Animals. Formed: 1972, Tuscaloosa. We were all so nervous we wore dark sunglasses so nobody could see how scared we were, said Dupree. I kept going to at least one show a year through about 1968, he said. The Untold Story of the Beatles' Desegregation Rider The audience was huge, sold out, 10,000 or more. He was lead singer of the Rockin Gibraltars, formed in 1965 by a group of students at Lee High School. Brennan also remembers that Starr requested reinforcements to the stage area near his drum kit, because strong gusts lingered after the hurricane. But in the minds of Alabama listeners, WVOK and WBAM ruled supreme, and the stations were closely linked by their concert series. Garrett Coliseum, in contrast, could hold 10,000+ for a single performance in Montgomery. FACIAL. It was great! A license for the station was issued in 1952. The Hollies. K Jamie Carter Childhood Toys Childhood Memories Camille Redouble Sheila E Thomas, joined by John Kay (solo after leaving Steppenwolf), the Grass Roots and others. In the 1960's WVOK, in Birmingham Alabama, would have the top bands play at one huge concert. His current band, The Soul Crackas, does many of the same soul hits the Rockin Gibraltar performed. Bottom (l-r), Ronnie Monroe, Bobby Dupree and Rusty Crumpton. Brennan and his wife, Clara, who handled ticketing, estimate that one-third of the tickets for any Shower of Stars datewere purchased on faith, before the lineup was ever announced. The other name band on the show was the Allman Brothers, they had just released their first album. Brennan bid farewell to concert promotion in 1973 --a necessary business decision, he says -- and for Birmingham music lovers, it was the end of an era. All rights reserved (About Us). I remember some of them telling us they came to every show that whole year.". He doesnt keep up with Johnny Townsend, but remains friends with Rusty Crumpton and Ed Sanford, who is a successful artist in Los Angeles. Moody remembers the group mysteriously disappeared after one show and had to be retrieved to play their second gig (lead singer Peter Noone was known to enjoy a party.). The last concert at Big Bam Fall Spectacular was on September 30, 1966. The Rogues recorded the 45 in February of 1966, for MBM Records, a Birmingham, Alabama label that goes back to the early '60s. Her very own father was on stage, standing closeto four of the most famous musicians in the world. The 7 p.m.show-- billedas a music battle between the England and the United States-- also includedtheRighteous Brothers, Marty Robbins, Sonny James, Skeeter Davis, Del Reeves, Archie "Rindercella" Campbell and Cannibal and the Headhunters. ", From Eric Pendergrass: "Grateful Dead BJCC April 4,5 1995.". Most recently they performed earlier this year for a benefit show for ailing former bandmate Keith Brewer, who died in April of cancer. Patsy Cline Performs Her Final Show Country Music Memories; Most Wanted Music: 2023's Country and Americana Album Releases; Follow Us. Signature songs include Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison), Cryin (Roy Orbison). The WVOK Shower of Stars was a series of concerts sponsored by WVOK-AM at the Birmingham Armory and later at Birmingham's Municipal Auditorium.Program director Dan Brennan organized the shows, which gained national notice.. Concerts. Several others mentioned seeing the Rolling Stones in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. I also went to one free concert on the old Quad (Woods Hall) in the late 60s that featured Linda Ronstadt (backed up by the Eagles). Gary Puckett & the Union Gap. ", From Will-I: "Bruce Springsteen in Auburn in 1975. $14 million dollar house maine; Dan Brennan had the honor of introducing the Beatles. The Rockin' Rebellions entered the big VOX (sound equipment) sponsored "WVOK Battle of the Bands" contest held at the Boutwell Auditorium in downtown Birmingham on May 20, 1967. . It was elbow to elbow in there, remembered drummer Tommy Beavers. Procedimientos. The Buckinghams. WBAM-FM - Wikipedia A recent Skype video call to his U.K. home found Whitwam fondly remembering the Hermits Big BAM Show performances. From 1963 to 73 the Big BAM shows and their counterpart in Birmingham, the Shower of Stars shows, presented four concerts a year. WMSP - Wikipedia He said, 'We're going to put both of them on.' 2. They actually were already signed to join, when Peace Concerts booked the January 31, 1975 show. Yes, the Beatles' performance was "a really big show," as Ed Sullivan wouldhave said. (The station's nickname, "the Mighty 690," referred to its spot on the AM dial.). I play music half the time, the other half Im a toilet salesman, Jones said, which means hes in wholesale plumbing with Thompson Supply Co. For Alabama radio pioneer, life was a Shower of Stars It wasnt concerts where you played and 500 people sat down and listened to you. I told Jimbo we should all come in with walkers, laughed Beavers. 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. The largest universities in Montgomery, AL are Auburn University at Montgomery (975 degrees awarded in 2020), Faulkner University (844 degrees), and Alabama State University (712 degrees). Top (l-r), Keith Brewer, Ed Sanford and Sonny Grier. April 8, 1967: State Coliseum, Montgomery, AL with Electric Prunes, Buckinghams, Lou Christie, Brian Hyland and The Jokers, Tommy James and The Shondells, Royal Guardsmen, The Blues Magoos, The Casinos and others "WBAM presents Big Bam All-Star Spring Show" April 14, 1967: University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA with Freudian Slip Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, AL, USA Concert Setlists | setlist.fm big bam shows montgomery, alabama - joannascottcreative.com big bam shows montgomery, alabama - mmischools.com Make Favorite Store Contact 1957 Cobbs Ford Rd. The Big BAM was WBAM, the 50,000-watt AM radio station owned by the Brennan family, whose other Alabama station was Birmingham's WVOK. Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis were on the bill, said Whitwam of their first performance at Garrett Coliseum. "My brother, he was always a little bit of a gambler," Brennan says. We rode up the . Go to the Archives 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. Cosmic Slop was classic, turned that mother out. "Billsaid, 'Well, if anybody makes any money out of it, it's going to be me.' Wed go all over, even the Old Dutch in Panama City.. Bell. Thanks to Donnie Brennan for the Elvis photos. Date:Sun, 5 Jun 2005 09:12:45 -0400 I'll tell you a story about that WBAM show in Montgomery. Beavers has played drums for various bands, including Doc Severinson, Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett, winning a Grammy Award for Best Performance by Duo or Group in 1994 while a member of Asleep at the Wheel. ", From GmanGent: "Alice Cooper Von Braun in 1974's Welcome to my Nightmare Tourone of the most successful tours financially up until that time. The Other Side of Montgomery - Google Books The wildest thing other than the Troggs rocking out to "Wild Thing" and whipping around long dirty hanks of British hair was Lou Christie. The Beatles were paid a fee of $50,000 -- a hefty sum in those days, Brennan says -- and in the thick of the civil rights movement, the band's contract specified that they wouldn't perform for a segregated audience. 3. ", 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." Brother Cyril Brennan, 84, was alternately chief engineer, manager, program director and music director at WBAM and also involved in lining up talent. Ticket prices were $2 for shows in the early 1960s, gradually increasing to a top price of $5.50, a pittance by todays standards. It gave them a voice. Prattville, Alabama 36066 (334) 358-9460 View Weekly Ad Hours Store Services Full Furniture with Mattresses Furniture Leasing Furniture Delivery Milk, Eggs & Grocery Featured Be a Backyard Bigionaire! Keith Richards was almost electrocuted when his guitar grounded on a mic. All who attended the big September 19th show must present ticket stub at gate between 12 noon and 1PM. The Alabama band was the organizer and centerpiece, raising money for charity. I don't know, I guess people got to trust us. big bam shows montgomery, alabama blues show montgomery, al 2021. guildford school of acting auditions; gilroy google font alternative; cuisinart steamer insert; Blog Post Title February 26, 2018. It was just before his popularity exploded. It was just the coolest thing.". View the Full Page. He was a very special guy. "We gave everybody who came a free rain parka. A real commercial from the 60's with announcer Bill J Moody .Exciting times as a teen.growing up in Montgomery. ", "I'm also inclined to mention 1982 at Boutwell when the Blizzard of Ozz played; Randy Rhoades' third to last appearance before his tragic death," said GmanGent. Its better than not being remembered at all.. Edgar Winter Group with the Frankenstein tour," said Rick Allen. "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. Sonny Grier is another longtime Montgomery band member who still plays music. Shop Now The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Dan Brennan, center, with the Grass Roots. We would always find the artists who were very popular with our audience, and we would try to get them, and we usually were successful.". "Cyril's idea was, 'Tell them to sing, just a little bit, and make sure that we get the right one.' "Big Church Night Out" / Newsboys / Sidewalk Prophets / 7eventh Time Down / Blanca / Derek Minor / Brock Gill / Jeremy Willet . He remembers the Kove days with Harvest/Harmony fondly, not only for the bands music but the people who came to see them. Show Duplicate for Mar 22, 2013: Mar 08, 2013 Justin Moore: Garrett Coliseum: "Tuscaloosa Memorial Coliseum 1972," said Randy Palmer. Springsteen played the 'short end' of the the Beard-Eaves with the curtain up. They agreed to do it, but they were on one end of it, and the Beach Boys were on the other end of it. The Louvin Brothers. Several readers made fond mention of multi-act shows presented by WBAM-AM, a sister station to Birmingham's WVOK-AM, during the 1960s and early '70s. The resulting concerts -- which evolved into a series called the WVOK Shower of Stars in Birmingham, the Big BAM shows in Montgomery and the Big APE Convention in Jacksonville -- became enormously popular with radio listeners. Keyboardist Mark Marvin will fill in for Eddie Wohlford who is unable to attend. Studio Phone Number: (334) 244-9898. Business Office/Studios 4101-A Wall Street Montgomery, AL 36106. 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. To be honest, Brennan doesn't precisely recall what he said to the audience that evening, just before the mop-topped John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr took the stage. Skyping with a Hermit One of the Beach Boys told me it was the biggest talent show hed ever been in!. Members: Original members Larry Hoyle, Johnny Hassett and Ron Howard, plus Chris Seymour, Johnny Long, Jr. and Craig Young. And so he gave them -- the only show in the whole country that did this -- we gave them a flat $50,000, which was pretty good in those days. [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. Add the extra costs associated with security guards and insurance, and hiring bands is not a profitable option for many club owners. But it was one of many concerts organized by the Brennans, as they sought to cement listeners' loyalty to WVOK in Birmingham, WBAM-AM in Montgomery and WAPE in Jacksonville. She came back a few minutes later and absolutely blasted a massive bongo solo. ", From Steve Wayne: "Guns N' Roses at the Birmingham Race Course. Zero , Northwest Florida: 08/22/2010 - 08/29/2010 - Blogger By March 15, 2021 No Comments. Nothing else necessary. "I think the story about Buckingham Nicks is pretty interesting. Ask anyone who was there. Packed house for a 1960s Big BAM Show at Garrett Coliseum. ", 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. Bob Brennen gave me these. Cyril's wife Louise would make us outfits for the Shower of Stars, and we'd have on these big bell bottoms. 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. Alicia McLeod - Vocals. Whitwam remembers little of that show, but subsequent performances are crystal clear. They responded, swiftly and passionately, to a recent post listing 31 of the greatest shows at venues throughout the state. Jimbo Jones (L) and Tommy Beavers look forward to the reunion of Harmony. Chuck Berry was an intro-act, great show he put on. The Lovin' Spoonful. A story by Ben Flanagan of AL.com, looking back at concerts at the coliseum, also mentions Joplin. One was the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, which was to host a concert on September 10 th. 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. Were a dance band.. 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). 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. So they both sang a few bars of the song, 'You're the Reason I'm Living," and we still couldn't decide which one was the real one. Jerry Lee Lewis. The mothership landed in the BJCC that night. Props. It was electric. THE 5 BEST Upcoming Concerts & Shows in Montgomery - Tripadvisor The bands that performed were: The Beach Boys / lou christie / Ian Whitcomb / The Happenings / the hollies / peter and gordon. . Elvis Presley. "Radio played the song every twenty minutes. ", "Leo Kottke, Foster Auditorium, UA campus, about 1974," said 57939names. "I'm so. When was the last concert at Big Bam Fall Spectacular? He and his wife live north of Prattville in a 1930s shack, have three grown children and are expecting their first grandchild. Johnny Cash. Jones, now 59, also played school dances and armories in a group called The Drones. Louise Brennan, Cyril's wife, at the Beatles' press conference in Jacksonville. In most cases, the concertswere multi-act affairs, featuring the hottest names the radio stations could secure. Fans would mail their orders to the station, requesting a specific showtime, and the envelopes often included suggestions for artists they'd like to see. "They would be paying the acts, literally, in cash. The chips were glued into Dianes scrap book between photos of the Beatles. White guys playing soul music!, Most of the stuff we played was music you could easily dance to, said Dupree. WBAM Big Bam Shows 7,142 views Nov 21, 2010 One of the big hit singers of the 60's and 70's working on a bit with me for a TV show..a little behind the scenes..Bobby is involved with art. Whitwam, now in his 47th year playing music, is pleased with the makeup of their current audiences. Other notable former personalities included Bill J. Moody, Paul Simpkins, Mark Robbins, Gene Hocutt and Joe Cook. "I'm also a little partial to Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Jerry Reed, Johnny Paycheck, when they played at Old York Farms in the late '90s," said Jeremy Don McCollough. 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).