We are taking applications for our 2012 LJC class. If you know someone who is interested, is 21 - 54 years old, lives and/or works in Jones County and is passionate about the growth of Jones County, please contact Larkin Simpson at (601) 649-3031 or larkins@edajones.com. Deadline for applications is July 27.

Country Must Be Country Wide 

~ Brantley Gilbert 

Recently Rebekah and I got to sit down and enjoy the 2011 CMT Music Awards. Seldom do we get to watch TV together. One of us is usually tending to Ethan while the other is cooking or taking care of the house. And, quite frankly, we have different tastes in TV programs. I am more of a history, technical, "how do they do it" type of viewer while Rebekah likes dramas, soaps and things she "doesn't have to think about" to enjoy.

While we were watching the awards show with all the live performances we couldn't help but comment about how country music has exploded and evolved since we were kids. We both love country music and think it speaks to the core of many American people. Personally, I think more than any other genre, country music tells the story of the American Spirit and especially our Southern way of life.

I am specifically amazed by two things in country music. The first is the relationship between the younger generation of artists and the ones who have "been around a while". Second I am amazed at how broad the spectrum of country music is and how effectively it has embraced and been embraced by other genres of music.  Country music is no longer a southern thing, it truly is country wide.

Take the CMT Music Awards for instance. The lineup for performers included Jason Aldean (and Ludacris, a rapper), Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Big & Rich, Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow and the Band Perry (who has MS roots by the way). Most of these performers are under the age of 35. In addition, many of them are members or have been guest artists on the Grand Ole Opry, which is said to be the "mother church of country music". It IS the hall of fame in country music.

If you are familiar with any of these artists or have heard interviews by them, you will quickly learn that country music is very much like business (yes, I know it is actually a business). Many of the younger artists will tell you they received big breaks in their careers by artists who have been in the business for years. You will also understand the seasoned artists truly do respect the new guys for bringing in fresh ideas. Sometimes the new approaches do clash with the deeper rooted traditions of country music but it always makes for an interesting collaboration among artists.

As I was thinking about all the different artists performing, presenting awards, receiving awards and just in the audience to show their support I couldn't help but think about the relationship of businesses in a local economy, in our local economy.  Just as I talked about in my last eNewsletter, at any given time there are businesses in our community who are on peaks. There are also some in valleys and the rest of us are somewhere in between. Some businesses are at the peak of their career receiving accolades and fame while others are in their infancy just trying to break into the business.

How great is it that we can recognize those businesses that have done really well. We can learn from those who have been successful. We can learn from their collaborations and forward thinking techniques. If we are one of those businesses in a valley, perhaps we can create a unique collaboration to get us back on a peak all while making some great music for the rest of the economy to enjoy.

I encourage you to look at your business and seek out unique opportunities to collaborate. It may be something completely different from the way you have done things in the past. You may be tempted to shake your industry sector's traditions to the core, but it may just be the jolt your business needs in this economy to create something new. You may be the pioneer that does something that has never been tried before.

Good Luck, and keep on rockin'!

The Laurel Buffalo Wild Wings is hosting an Eat Wings Raise Funds event on June 29, 2011 for a company-wide tornado relief effort. 10% of all food and non-alcoholic sales will be donated to the Salvation Army to help their recovery from the over 1200 Tornadoes that have devastated the country the past two months. Anyone that comes to Buffalo Wild Wings on that day will be helping us reach our nationwide goal to raise $250,000.

Buffalo Wild Wings of Laurel

1826 Jefferson St.
Laurel, MS 39440
601-342-2951