Newcomer Zach Top is finding out just how fast things can move in the country music business. He’ll be performing several solo show in the closing months of 2024 (including a sold-out stop in Manhattan), and then he’s hitting the road with the legendary Alan Jackson!

Jackson’s “Last Call: One More From The Road” tour will feature Zach as the direct opener on five dates starting January 18th in Oklahoma City. The complete list of shows is below. “I’m joining one of my musical heroes, Mr. Alan Jackson for a handful of shows,” says Top. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but this might be the countriest show you’re gonna get to see all year next year, so make sure you’re there. I couldn’t be more honored. As you can probably guess, Alan Jackson was a big influence on me.”

As for Alan, he’s stepping away from touring after his diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which affects his balance. It won’t shorten his lifespan, but it will make it necessary for him to step off stage. He’ll celebrate his 65th birthday later this month (October 17th).

Currently Zack is opening the last five remaining shows on the Jackson tour. But fans of both artists are hopeful that more dates will be added.

Alan Jackson “Last Call” tour dates w/Zach Top

Saturday, January 18 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK
Saturday, February 15 at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas
Friday, March 7 at Orlando, Florida’s Kia Cente
Saturday, April 26 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida
Saturday, May 17 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Fiserv Forum.

The 2016 Country Stampede came to a close on Saturday night, bringing down the curtain not only on the concerts but also the massive operation headed up by Pottawatomie County Sheriff Greg Riat.  Riat oversees a staff comprised of his own deputies, as well as officers from the Riley County Police Department, Wamego City Police, Kansas Highway Patrol, and other agencies.

Riat credited the entire staff for hard work under challenging conditions.  “The officers that are out there walking and working do such a good job”, he said.  “It was hot, and they walk a lot of miles out there, trying to keep everybody safe”.  He also praised the onsite Stampede personnel, saying “their security does a really good job.  They’ve put together a pretty good group and they do a lot to keep that safe for everybody”.

When KMAN spoke to Sheriff Riat on Sunday, he hadn’t yet seen the final reports, but felt optimistic that he and his team had provided a safe environment for Stampede fans.  He estimated the number of arrests at the event at around 30, adding “we’d like to not see that many”.  He again pointed out the many hours of hard work put in by the entire law enforcement team.

“You know, again…it’s a good group of people and we’ve done it for quite a few years now.  And for the most part it goes pretty well”.

While Riat agreed that he and his team would enjoy having Sunday off, there’s no rest for the weary.  “I know Wamego Police Department assisted up out there.  Some of their officers did and Chief Baker, and we’re going to turn around and help them on the 4th of July”, referring to Wamego’s annual 4th of July Celebration that begins Thursday June 30th, and brings tens of thousands of people to the city.

Still, a day off is a day off.  “I think for our guys it’s nice to have off Sunday and recover a little bit”.

The post Multiple agencies cooperate to keep Stampede safe appeared first on 1350 KMAN.

The final day of the 2016 Country Stampede was understandably the busiest, with plenty of orthopadic and heat related injuries that required treatment from the medics on site at the festival and in the campground area.  But there was also some good news to report in regard to the number of patients seen.

“I think our numbers, considering it was a three-day event (as opposed to the former four-day format), are down slightly”, said Riley County EMS Director Larry Couchman.  But there was another side to the story.  “I think we had a little bit more of a mix of sicker patients”.

As for that last day, Couchman reported he and his staff treated 37 individuals in the main medical tent.  That’s almost double the 20 patients seen on Friday.  He also noted that there were eight orthopedic injuries, along with 10 people treated as heat cases.

Couchman also added his concern about one statistic: injuries related to alcohol consumption.  Eleven subjects were seen by the medics for this reason.  Unfortunately, alcohol-related injuries are common with this type of event, and the warm temperatures and festive atmosphere contributing factors as well.

Not all the weather news was bad.  In fact, Couchman noted that there was concern earlier in the week about the forecast high temperatures.  By the time the festival began on Thursday, temperatures had fallen approximately ten degrees and Mother Nature also provided a steady breeze and generous cloud cover for most of the weekend.  The rain, which is generally a part of any Stampede, fell for just short periods of time and the concerts stayed dry.

Couchman’s staff included members of the Riley and Pottawatomie County EMS departments, along with the Blue Township Fire Rescue.  He was quite grateful for their assistance.

“It sure makes our job a lot easier with what those volunteers do for us”.

He expects to have a preliminary report, with final patient counts, ready for the County Commissioners later on Monday.

The post Final day of Stampede busiest for medics appeared first on 1350 KMAN.

Every June, tens of thousands of fans flock to Manhattan for the annual Country Stampede festival.  And while almost all of them come for the big name entertainment, there are other things for them to do at times when the main stage is quiet.

On each side of the main festival grounds is an area called “vendor row”.  At these booths, attendees can find food and beverages, do their banking, check out a new cellphone, and even shop for clothing, hats, boots, sunglasses.  They can get temporary tattoos, a misting fan, and even a stun gun.

But if you’re looking for something a little more unconventional…the Stampede has you covered.

New this year at the Stampede: Human Foosball.  You’ve seen the table game, now you can step inside the box and give it try in real life.  Game operator Scott Alexander says the rules are simple; you must be over 21 to play, and you must keep both hands on the PVC pipe at all times.

“Somebody had the great idea to put up some OSB (similar to particle board) and some PVC pipes, and try to make it as much like the table game”, said Alexander.

Of course, the Stampede wouldn’t be complete without the mechanical bull.  Gracie Hanson, a six year old from here in Manhattan, gave it a try and turned in an excellent ride.  Her secret?  “Just get on…and ride the bull”!  She was rumored to be seen heading back to line a little bit later on, looking for another opportunity to show up her older, and more experienced competition.

Finally, for those who are extreme adrenaline junkies…with iron stomachs…there’s the Gyro Ball.  Riders are strapped in two at a time, and then the ball is turned loose to spin on all three axis’.  13 year old Malia Clemens (from Fort Riley) and her friend Jessica Bennett (from Manhattan), were two such hardy souls.  “I saw other people riding it and I just wanted to ride it”, said Clemens.  But when asked for a description of the experience, she deferred.

“I’m still a little dizzy”, she said.

The post Country Stampede is more than concerts appeared first on 1350 KMAN.

When most people think about the Country Stampede, they think of the big name artists who’ll perform all their biggest hits from the main stage.  They think about seeing friends, catching some rays, and eating tasty food.  But all songs start out in the same way; they were put to paper by the often-times unsung songwriters.

All weekend long, fans looking to take a break from the Stampede in shade should check out the Songwriters’ Tent.  Between acts on the main stage, several local songwriters will be performing songs they’ve written.  It could be your first taste of what will be your favorite song in the not-to-distant future.

Travis Martin, a native of Ottawa, Kansas, has been writing songs for eight years.   “More than anything”, he said when asked about his songwriting beginnings, it was “probably time to at least share my stories.  And what better way to do that with songwriting”.  He overcame some early uncertainty, saying “I didn’t know if I was going to be…if I could even do it, because it’s obviously not something I think you’re necessarily born with (the ability to write a song).  It’s learn how to do it”.

Martin’s fortitude, perseverance, and dedication have brought him to an exciting point in his career; a brand new album with a release date fast approaching.  “The goal is here in the next two weeks, we’re going to launch the single which will go to radio.  And within a month we can release the whole album”.  Martin wrote four of the six tunes on the disc, with co-writer credit on the other two.

For Savanna Chestnut, the road from her hometown of Americus, Kansas to her current home in Nashville was fashioned from a confidence in her songwriting ability.  “It clicked automatically”, she said when asked about why she became a songwriter.  “It was just something that came easy to me and it’s something that I’m really passionate about.  I just like to tell stories through songs.

Jackson Gulick is another Sunflower State product, proudly claiming to be “born and raised Kansas” when asked about his background.  Gulick attended Johnson County Community College for a year before he relocated to Nashville to perfect his craft.  The young man is talented; and has won songwriting contests.

So if your weekend plans include a visit to Tuttle Creek State Park, do yourself a favor and swing by the food court at the east end of the festival grounds.  Yes, the food smells good, but if you continue past the corn dogs and french fries, you might just hear a future hit.  And the person who sang it…and wrote it…might just be who you’re most excited to see at a future Country Stampede.

The post Local talent showcased at Country Stampede appeared first on 1350 KMAN.

The 2016 Kicker Country Stampede opened up Thursday for the first of the three day festival, and it appears that things went fairly smoothly.  With the exception of a lineup change, festival goers were entertained by six high-energy concerts.  They also benefitted from cooler temperatures and cloud cover, making conditions more comfortable for all involved.  After triple-digit heat on Wednesday, the low nineties were welcome relief.

“It was a great day”, said Riley County EMS Director Larry Couchman.  “Today, Mother Nature brought us some clouds.  That big ol’ storm that kind of blew off those cloud tops and so it covered up the sun a little bit”.

For a while late Thursday afternoon, those dark ominous clouds appeared to be closing in on Tuttle Creek State Park, but instead tracked due east, keeping the stormy weather to the south.  Scattered showers remain in the forecast for the rest of the weekend, and most Stampede veterans know that rain is as much a part of the weekend as the hats and boots.

Couchman mentioned a few medical incidents.  “We had maybe three or four transports out (Thursday).  A couple of medical issues, one heat related issue, but nothing real significant”.

Pottawatomie County Sheriff Greg Riat also reported positive news.  “Pretty good so far”, he said when asked about his assessment of the first day of the event.  “We’ve had some alcohol violations and a couple of other things, but pretty good so far”.  Riat added that this was a “good crowd this year”, and that he hopes that Thursday will “set the tone for the rest of the event”.

The lineup change involved British artist Sasha McVeigh, who was slated to be the first performer.  However, she had an issue with her visa and was unable to travel to the states.  “I’m absolutely heartbroken”, said the singer on her Facebook page.  She said the problem was with paperwork that had been “inadvertently” sent to the wrong office.  McVeigh’s band “Loveless Effect” took the stage and performed an abbreviated set.

The rest of the scheduled entertainers took the stage as slated, including headliner Dierks Bentley, who wowed the fans with an encore performance of his hit “Drunk On A Plane”, complete with a replica nose fusilage coming out of the stage riser.  Newcomer Sam Hunt also performed for an enthusiastic crowd, proving that the headliners aren’t the only ones who draw fans.  Ashlin Bohl, of Ulysses, came ready with a sign using a likeness of Hunt and a play on Uncle Sam.

The Stampede continues on Friday, with Gunner and the Grizzly Boys starting things off at 2:30.  High Valley, The Josh Abbott Band, and Chris Janson will follow…all leading up to headliner Tim McGraw.  Five more main stage concerts are scheduled for Saturday before the curtain falls on this year’s festival.

The post Stampede off to a smooth start appeared first on 1350 KMAN.

For the last several years, the Country Stampede music festival promised fans four days of entertainment.  Starting this year, there will be no events on Sunday, with the final concert scheduled for Saturday night.

“We did away with the Thursday night kickoff party, and moved Sunday to Thursday”, said Wayne Rouse, President of Country Stampede.  “You’ve got three full days.  All people lost was the kickoff party”.

Rouse told KMAN that the format change was done primarily for those who travel to Manhattan for the annual festival.  “A lot of our crowds left the campground early Sunday morning so they could drive back”, he said.  The new format also benefits all the local fans, who now have “a full day off before they go back to work” on Monday.

The reaction to the change has been overwhelmingly positive.  Rouse noted that when the idea was first discussed, almost everyone was in agreement.  “We asked people what they thought.  Kind of took a little survey, and everybody except for two people thought it was a great idea”, said Rouse.  “Then the other two people came across…this is going to work!”.

VIP ticket holders, who under the four day format only had a reserved seat and parking for the Thursday kickoff party, will now enjoy the full benefits of their VIP ticket on the first day: two catered meals, unlimited water, pop, and beer, and a shaded area near the main stage exclusively for those with VIP wristband.

The first day of the Stampede features Sam Hunt and Dierks Bentley.  Friday’s lineup features headline artist Tim McGraw, and the festival will close on Saturday night after performances by Chase Rice and Jake Owen.  Tickets will be available at the gate.

The post New Stampede format for 2016 appeared first on 1350 KMAN.

Final preparations are being made for the 2016 Kicker Country Stampede, which begins Thursday at Tuttle Creek State Park.

Wayne Rouse, President of the Country Stampede, told KMAN that they’ve been working on the site since Sunday morning.  “We’ve got the stage up.  We’re getting ready to set the sound.  VIP is all set up.  It’s in great shape actually.  We’re ahead of where we normally are”.

The festival brings top-name talent to Manhattan.  This year’s lineup includes three-time Grammy winner Tim McGraw, along with Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen, and rising stars Sam Hunt, Chace Rice, and Cassadee Pope.  In all, 16 acts will entertain from the Main Stage, with performances all weekend long on two secondary stages as well.

Rouse said they’re expecting sizeable crowds once again this year.  “It should be about the same as last year”, he said.  “Around twenty five to thirty thousand” fans.

This is the festivals’ 21st year in existence, all at the Tuttle Creek location.  And as you might expect, with all that experience Rouse and his dedicated team have worked out almost every kink.  Many of the staff are Stampede veterans, just like many of the fans who’ll be attending.

As always, the safety of those attendance is the first thing on Rouse’s mind.  With temperatures predicted in the upper 90’s, fans are reminded to stay hydrated.  As in years past, there will be bottled water available along with free potable water at various locations.  Remember to bring, and use, sunscreen.  And if you need medical assistance, services are available from members of the Riley County EMS and Blue Township Fire Departments.  In addition, uniformed officers and Stampede security staff will be patroling the grounds.

The post The Stampede has arrived appeared first on 1350 KMAN.

The K-State Women’s basketball team and coaching staff is hosting a special summer event on Sunday June 19th at Bramlage Coliseum from 4-6pm.

There will be activities for all ages; face painting, a photo booth, and game stations to compete against Wildcat student athletes.  Willie the Wildcat will be there, and the first 200 fans in attendance get a free ice cream sundae!  The team will also be signing autographs.

There will also be drawings for great prizes like courtside seats to the K-State vs UConn matchup this fall, and tickets to K-State Day at the Royals on June 24th.

The team finished last season 19-13, and made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament.  It was the program’s first appearance in that tourney since 2012.  They return nine letter winners from that squad, including Breanna Lewis and Kindred Wesemann, and welcome in five very talented newcomers.

After two exhibition games, K-State will open the 2016-17 regular season at home against Chicago State.

The post Women’s basketball team hosts meet the team event appeared first on 1350 KMAN.

Buckle up your seat belt, stow your tray table, and sit back and enjoy the tale of a Paris architect who’s juggling engagements to three different flight attendants.  He’s getting help from his maid and a friend who’s visiting from America, until a dose of bad weather and a faster airplane bring all three ladies to Paris at the same time.

“Boeing Boeing” is the best-known work of playwrite Marc Camoletti, and will be performed at the Manhattan Arts Center the next two weekends, with opening night set for this Friday, February 26.  The cast features Dave Walsh, Paul Knackendoffel, Penny Cullers, Chelsey Cogan, Mary Renee Shirk, and Naci Peters.

The farce is directed by Kim Riley, who describes the action as “a very physical form of comedy.  There’s a lot of movement, it’s very fast.  Doors opening and closing at the same time so that people just miss each other”.

Originally performed in 1960, the play later became a movie.  It received a makeover back in 2008, bringing in new audiences and accolades.  “It was rewritten and redone”, says Riley.  “And it won Tonys for the revival performance, and right now it’s being done quite a few theaters around the country”.

Knackendoffel and Peters worked with Riley and Cullers last spring in the MAC production of “Fox on the Fairway”.  He says this show is “absolutely hilarious.  It’s chaotic, it’s crazy.  Just being silly like a French farce would be”.  Peters concurs, saying “I would describe farce as unrealistic comedy, and it’s hysterical”.

Cullers is well-known to MAC patrons, and has directed and produced several shows in addition to providing beautiful, realistic set painting.  But she most enjoys being on stage.  “It’s fun to be an actor.  It’s fun to let go and just become part of somebody else’s life.  And especially being in a comedy.  It is just a hoot”!  And as typical in a French farce, it’s the character who’s least suspected as the brains of the operation who actually holds things together.

“Boeing Boeing” can be seen this and next weekend, with Friday and Saturday night performances at 7:37pm.  Both weekends will feature a Sunday matinee at 2pm.

For more information and tickets, call the MAC at 785-537-4420, or visit them online at http://www.manhattanarts.org/261/Boeing-Boeing.

And don’t worry about missing your connection.  This is one trip you won’t mind lasting a little longer.  Don’t be surprised to find Berthe at the theater entrance, though.  She’d make a great TSA agent.

The post Take flight with “Boeing Boeing” appeared first on 1350 KMAN.