Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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Red, White and Blue Concert Salutes the Military by ALEXANDRA RAPPE As we head into Memorial Day weekend, we are embraced by family, a day Most importantly, a gentle and tame personality is required since they have to off from regular chores, food and the reminder of the sacrifices made by men interact with millions of people each year. On this special occasion, red and and women in the military past, present and future. This year, Fayetteville is white ribbons are braided in the manes and into their tails. The eight chosen hosting an event that helps bring all of that together. On Thursday, May 23, horses will be harnessed and attached to the red beer wagon ready to interact Anheuser-Busch invites the community to the Red, White & Blue Concert at with everyone they meet. Festival Park. The event wouldn't be complete without beer! The selling station called The concert, which salutes the military, features country music performers Build-A-Bar is a flexible tool that transforms from a trailer to a bar in minutes. Jason Michael Carroll and the country band Blackberry Smoke. Both All the features of a regular bar are included: four plasma video screens, 16 performers have had their music at the the top of the Billboard charts and bar seats, eight mobile bar stools, Direct TV, sound system, branded rooftop Blackberry Smoke has even toured with the popular Zac Brown Band. banner signs and lighting and fans. NASCAR fans can enjoy Kevin Harvick's race car, which will be on display. "We will have vendors and two Busch Brew masters who will offer samples Jason Michael Carroll may be relatively new to the country scene, but his star of our new beer, Budweiser Black Crown, and people can talk to the brew is rising fast. His chart-topping debut album is nearing a half-million in sales. master. We will also have special red, white and blue beer cans available," said He has three hit singles from that album Jeff Fox, of R.A. Jeffries. (all of which he wrote or co-wrote), a Gold The fun just keeps going with a ringtone certification and opening spots on jump from a HALO team carrying the some of country's hottest tours. American flag to the ground. For many, Carroll has hit a positive note Anheuser Busch is not only known for not because of the parties he goes to or the providing beer. Its generosity and strong people he is seen with, but rather because support for military and their families he is believable. The key to Carroll's are also hallmarks of the company. Since success, according to industry insiders is 2010, the company has raised more evident in every note he sings – live or in than $5 million for the Folds of Honor the studio – and it lies in his authenticity. Foundation and provided and provided Whether it's the empathy brought to bear more than 1,000 scholarships to the on the tragedy of "Alyssa Lies," the pure families of soldiers killed or disabled passion of "Livin'Our Love Song" or the in service. The most recent project it is youthful exuberance of "I Can Sleep When doing involves your typical Budweiser I'm Dead," Carroll knows how to connect beer can. For every case of Budweiser sold with fans, and together with hard work, from May 5 to July 4, Budweiser will make undeniable talent and good looks has made a donation up to $1 million to the Folds a connection with fans that has kept him in of Honors Foundation. Anheuser Busch the public eye. even started it off by donating an extra A North Carolina native, Carroll was not $500,000, making a total of $1.5 million allowed to listen to secular music while possible dollars for Folds of Honor. growing up. In fact, his father once took Folds of Honor is a foundation him to task for having a copy of Billy Ray founded in 2007 by Maj. Dan Rooney, Cyrus's first record, but through friends a former F-16 fighter pilot with the and later at his job in a motor shop, he Oklahoma National Guard, PGA immersed himself in music and found Professional and USGA member, who himself drawn to country. After winning has served three combat tours in Iraq. a radio station's karaoke contest, Carroll As he was flying home from his second was asked to join a local country band in tour of duty, the pilot announced they need of a singer. He began paying his dues were carrying remains of Corp. Brock in clubs, and his mother, who was by then Bucklin and asked out of respect that encouraging his dream, signed him up for everyone remain seated while his casket a televised talent show in Raleigh/Durham. de-boarded. Maj. Rooney watched from He won, and the visibility opened doors that the window as Corp. Bucklin's brother led to Gehman. got off the plane with the casket to meet He was signed to Arista Nashville, and his his family. When he noticed that the first album, Waitin' in the Country, debuted Country music artist Jason Michael Carroll is slated to headline at Red, White and passengers had ignored the pilot's request Blue in Festival Park. at #1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums to stay and just got off the plane, Rooney chart. His first two singles, "Alyssa Lies" decided it was time to take charge. He and "Livin' Our Love Song," shot into the then dedicated his time to alter the future Top 5. He opened for Brooks & Dunn, Trace Adkins and Alan Jackson, and of grieving family members in America. became part of the 2008 tours of Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride. He Maj. Rooney will be at the event as well to talk about the foundation and was also featured on Good Morning America and has played multiple times at personally about the people who have benefited from its programs. the Grand Ole Opry. Speaking of the partnership with Folds of Honor, Fox, noted, "It's giving "My songs speak so much to so many people," he says. "I really can't take something back to the community. For this to be free and for them to do all this is for granted what I'm doing, and I thank God every day I have the chance to pretty amazing, I mean that sincerely." keep doing it." So start off your Memorial Day the right way at Festival Park! The concert The world famous Anheuser-Busch's Budweiser Clydesdales will also make a starts at 4 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. While the admission is free, freedom isn't, so special appearance. Since 1933, the horses have been a long-standing tradition also remember to be apart of the good cause that ends on July 4. with the company and are always a crowd pleaser. This unique breed of horses For more information on the Folds of Honor organization must meet the specific requirements of size, color and personality; they have and how you can help, visit www. ALEXANDRA RAPPE, Intern, to be at least 4-years-old, weigh around 2,000 pounds, overall have a bay foldsofhonor.org. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomcolor, white stockings, blaze of white on the face and a black mane and tail. ingweekly.com. 14 UCW MAY 15-21, 2013 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM