At last – a restful and relaxing weekend for all of us hard-working Southeast Texas men and women!  For this media man, Labor Day weekend is also a time to reminisce about all of the fun events that we’ve been fortunate enough to partake in during the first 8 months of 2008.  Of course, we’re also looking forward to the many entertaining happenings on the horizon…

     This Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29 – Sept. 1, cruise to the grand opening one of the area’s newest and best family-oriented destinations, Papa’s Place Restaurant & Bar in Winnie.  Although they opened just a month or so ago, Papa’s Place has already impressed hundreds of area folks with their great food, drinks and live entertainment.  In fact, we’ll be there this weekend snapping pics for The Examiner and filming for our “King of the Road Show” on Fox64 – come celebrate Labor Day with us at Papa’s Place!

     Plan a road trip to Anahuac, Sept. 12 – 14, for Gatorfest – truly one of the Lonestar state’s most unique festivals.  Gatorfest, which is held each year at historic Fort Anahuac Park, combines the alligator and family-oriented fun for a very memorable Southeast Texas two-steppin’ good time.   In addition to the Great Texas Alligator Roundup, airboat rides and a river boat tour, Gatorfest features four stages of entertainment, Texas Artisans, merchants and the scenic waterfront beer garden.  Live entertainment at this year’s tribute to our living fossils (alligators have survived on earth for more than 200 million years) includes the Randy Rogers Band, Wayne Toups, Wade Bowen, Hunter Hayes, Zydeco Dots, Casey Donahew, Bayou Roux, Josh Ward, Cheap Whiskey, Al White, Keith McCoy, and the John Miller Band.    

    For more information about what’s sure to be another unforgettable time at the storied Fort Anahuac Park, visit www.texasgatorfest.com 

    I’m very proud to report that this month marks the ninth year of my “King of the Road Show” on Kicker 95.1; and the very first festival that I broadcasted from back in 1999 was the Texas Rice Festival in Winnie.  Yippee! Here we go again… The annual “tip of the hat” to the Chambers County rice farmers returns to Winnie with the BBQ weekend, Sept. 26 – 27.  The action really heats up on Oct. 1 – 5 with the 39^th annual Texas Rice Festival.  Along with the usual parades, carnival and delicious food and drink, the Texas Rice Festival always features a star-studded concert schedule.  For more information about the 2008 Texas Rice Festival, visit www.texasricefestival.org 

    Superstar country duo Sugarland will headline at the Ford Arena on Saturday, Nov. 15.  Kellie Pickler and newcomer Ashton Shepherd will be kicking off the concert. 

     Of course, Sugarland exploded onto the country scene in 2004 with the CD “Twice the Speed of Sound;” which included their debut hit single “Baby Girl.”  That very catchy cut was followed by a steady stream of top-ten hits like “Want To,” “All I Want To Do,” “Just Might Make Me Believe,” “Something More” and “Settlin’.”  Their latest single, “All I Want To Do,” recently topped the charts. 

   American Idol season 5 finalist Pickler, recently release “Small Town Girl,” which produced 3 top-15 hits.  

    For more information about what’s sure to be a very memorable concert, visit www.kykr.com 

     Cruisin’ with pictures… Tune into our “King of the Road Show” this Sunday, Aug. 31, on Fox64 Beaumont.  In this episode (our 110^th) we’ll visit Papa’s Place Restaurant & Bar in Winnie. We’ll also gaze in the rearview at Port Arthur’s recent Gulf Coast Jam.  The “King of the Road Show” airs every Sunday night at 10:30 p.m. on Fox64 Beaumont.  For more information, or to stream our most recent episodes, visit www.jimkingoftheroad.com

     Keep it between the ditches and ride shotgun with me again next week!

     Tickets for the Beaumont Jazz & Blues Fest are $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and children 10 & under.  Children 2 & will be admitted free.  Tickets may still be available at the Beaumont Civic Center box office, HEB on Dowlen, FYE in Central Mall, online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at (409) 833-7747. 

     Upcoming festivals and fairs… The Texas Gatorfest returns to Anahuac on Sept. 12 to 14.  Winnie’s Texas Rice Festival will be happening from Oct. 1 to 5 this year; and the YMBL is gearing up for the South Texas State Fair from Oct. 16 to 26 at Beaumont’s Ford Park. 

     Americana music icon performs for a sold-out Courville’s crowd… Houston’s Hayes Carll recently packed the house at Courville’s Catering & Special Events.  I’m almost ashamed to admit that I knew very little about this amazing artist before seeing him perform at Courville’s that very memorable Thursday night.  As far as songwriting and story telling goes, this guy is nearly in a league of his own.  His talents have often drawn comparisons to such critically-acclaimed artist as Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Steve Earl, Ray Wylie Hubbard and even Bob Dylan.  “He’s been a huge influence on me – there’s only one Bob Dylan for sure; but I spent a lot of time studying his craft and his music,” Carll said.  “So sometimes my influences show themselves.”

      Carll, who honed his skills in bars and restaurants in Crystal Beach and Galveston, has achieved national and international recognition for his singing and songwriting     In fact, legendary radio personality Don Imus recently called Carll’s tune “She Left Me For Jesus” the “greatest country song ever written.”  “I had some friends of mine call me at 5 a.m. the other day, which is before I generally get up, and told me that he (Imus) was playing it on the radio… So that was a good plug,” Carll explained. 

     Carll easily captivates large audiences for hours; as he’s proven several times recently at Courville’s Catering & Special Events.  For more information about this very promising singer/songwriter, visit www.hayescarll.com 

    Coming to Courville’s… On Sept. 24, The Ginn Sisters return to the comfortable concert/dinner hall, located west of Beaumont near the China line on Hwy 90.  Acclaimed singer/songwriter Fred Eaglesmith is scheduled for a return appearance at Courville’s Catering & Special Events on Oct. 9.  Of course, the price of admission includes a delicious dinner prepared by award-winning chef “Big Rich” Courville and his very capable staff.  For more information about Courville’s Catering & Special Events, visit www.cajunflavors.com or call (409) 860-9811. 

     Cruisin’ on the television… Watch our “King of the Road Show” this Sunday, Aug. 24, on Fox64 Beaumont.  In this episode, we’ll recap the Hayes Carll concert at Courville’s Catering & Special Events.  We’ll also look in the rearview at the Texas Style Hot Summer Nites Show ‘n Shine Car Show in downtown Beaumont.  The “King of the Road Show” airs every Sunday night at 10:30 on Fox64 Beaumont.  To stream past episodes or for more information about our very unique, community-oriented program, visit www.jimkingoftheroad.com or call King of the Road Productions at (409) 866-6377.

     Keep it between the ditches and join me for more Cruisin’ next week!

     Southeast Texas children will be making more memories at the Beaumont Civic Center this Saturday, Aug. 16, as the annual Kid Fest returns.  Tons of area kids will be cruisin’ back to school on Monday, Aug. 25, with tales of meeting this year’s Kid Fest attractions: Batman “The Dark Knight,” Garfield and Odie.  By popular demand, the Kid Fish Tank, a huge fishing tank where youngsters can catch live catfish in the confines of the air-conditioned Beaumont Civic Center, will again be featured.  Of course, there will be plenty of other attractions at this year’s tribute to the future of Southeast Texas – our children.  The 11^th annual Kid Fest takes place at the Beaumont Civic Center form 10:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16.  Free Kid Tickets may still be available at Valero Corner Stores.  Kid Tickets will be $3 and adult tickets $5 at the door during Kid Fest. 

   Major concert on the horizon… On Saturday, November 15, country superstars Sugarland with special guest Kellie Pickler will be appearing at Beaumont’s Ford Arena.  The night’s stellar lineup will also feature country newcomer Ashton Shepherd. 

    Of course, country duo Sugarland catapulted onto the country scene in 2004 with the CD “Twice the Speed of Sound;” which produced their debut hit single “Baby Girl.”  That very memorable cut was followed by a steady stream of top-ten hits like “Want To,” “All I Want To Do,” “Just Might Make Me Believe,” “Something More” and “Settlin’.”  Their latest single, “All I Want To Do,” recently topped the charts. 

   American Idol season 5 finalist Pickler, recently release “Small Town Girl,” which spawned 3 top-15 hits.  

    As of this writing, the show’s on-sale date has not been released.  “Stay tuned” to Cruisin’ for further information about what promises to be an unforgettable night of live entertainment at Ford Arena on Nov. 15. 

    On Aug. 4, a lot of area residents cruised to The Palms Event Center in Orange for Savor the Flavors Restaurant Showcase.  Around 20 local restaurants participated in the fun and taste-tempting all-day event. 

     According to Savor the Flavors organizer Tammy Caffey, “The restaurants really poured on the food.  It was plentiful and delicious.  Although our morning was slow due to the threat of the topical storm, our evening was outstanding.  Thank you to everyone who made this event a success!”  Caffey is already planning next year’s Savor the Flavors Restaurant Showcase in Orange.  For more information about Caffey’s activities, visit www.orangetexasonline.com

     The 6^th annual Tasting for Some Other Place with happen on August 19 from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Beaumont Civic Center.  General admission tickets are $10.00 per person and available at Some Other Place and at the Civic Center box office.  There will be free shuttle service to the Civic Center from the following Beaumont churches: First Baptist, First Methodist, Saint Mark’s Episcopal, and Westminster Presbyterian.  All proceeds from this event will benefit the work of Some Other Place, the place people turn to for emergency services in times of need and for on-going programs such as home-delivered meals. 

     Local television’s ground-breaking “King of the Road Show” rolls on… Join us this Sunday at 10:30 p.m. on Fox64 Beaumont as we look in the rearview at Willie Nelson’s recent gig at the Julie Rogers Theatre in downtown Beaumont.  We’ll also recap our 2^nd anniversary/100^th Episode Celebration featuring Larry Tillery and Friends at Legends inside the Texas Longhorn Club.  The “King of the Road Show” airs every Sunday night at 10:30 on Fox64 Beaumont.  To steam our most recent episodes and for other information, visit www.jimkingoftheroad.com