Contemporary country singer/songwriter Chad Brock was born and raised in Ocala, FL; despite performing in the church choir throughout his youth, his initial love was athletics, and he was a highly touted high-school football player. After joining the school chorus, however, Brock also emerged as a star soloist, and became so enamored of music that he turned down a collegiate athletic scholarship to pursue a career as a performer.

Relocating to Nashville to work as a songwriter, he initially struggled to get his foot in the music industry's door, and as a result spent three years touring as a member of the World Championship Wrestling organization.

Finally, in 1998, Brock signed with Warner Bros. and issued his self-titled debut later that year. The second single, "Ordinary Life," was a breakout hit, climbing into the country Top Five, and "Lightning Does the Work" was also moderately popular. Brock's follow-up was 2000's Yes!, and the title track -- a story song about meeting and romancing his wife -- became his first country chart-topper, nearly making the POP Top 20 as well.

The HONKY TONK TAILGATE PARTY TOUR launched in February 2001, as the brainstorm of original touring mates - Rhett Akins, Daryle Singletary and Jeff Carson. The tour continued in 2002 with Wade Hayes replacing Jeff Carson. In 2003, the tour grew with excitement when Jeff Carson returned and Chad Brock joined the tour. Now, in 2004, the guys look forward to combining two of the founders - Rhett Akins and Daryle Singletary - with Chad Brock and first-timer David Kersh!!!

For more info on the Honky Tonk Tailgate Party - click here.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Trick Pony is cetainly no stranger to our area. Here are a few highlights of their career:
2003 Grammy Nomination - Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocal for "Just What I Do"
2003 CMT Flameworthy Music Video Awards Nominee - Duo/Group Video of the Year for "Just What I Do"
2003 ACM Nominee - (5 Nominations) (Top Vocal Group, Album of the Year, Single Record of the Year, Vocal Event of the Year, Video of the Year)
2002 Academy of Country Music – Top New Vocal Duo/Group
2002 American Music Awards – Favorite New Country Artist
2001 Finalist in Billboard Music Awards – New Country Artist of the Year
#1 Single for "On A Night Like This"

They performed for over 1 Million fans last year as part of the Brooks & Dunn Neon Circus Tour ‘02
Trick Pony co-wrote nine of the tracks on "On A Mission"
Kicked off their first headlining tour in November 2002
Drew Carey asked Trick Pony to record "5 O’Clock World" for his ABC primetime series
Television appearances include the CMA Awards, CNN Headline News, CNN Entertainment Weekly News, CMT’s Top 20 Countdown, TV Guide Channel, The NFL Show, The Wayne Brady Show and a CMT special "On the Verge."   For more info on Trick Pony - click here

For the past three years, Gretchen Wilson has been one of the most sought after demo singers in Nashville, lending her vocals to hundreds of songs for leading Nashville writers. The road to Music City was a hard one. At 15, Gretchen left her Pocahontas, Illinois home and began singing in taverns and honky-tonks. By the time she was 20, Gretchen was singing in two of the most popular bands in the St. Louis area. She is currently in the studio with producers Mark Wright and Joe Scaife and co-producer John Rich completing her debut album for Epic Records that will hit stores in summer 2004.

Story Behind the Song:
"Redneck Woman" - "I wanted to give a little high-five to the women from small town America. The women I grew up around are strong and proud of who they are. This is for them."

Desert Island Albums:
Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits, AC/DC's Back In Black and The Essential Charlie Daniels

Memorable Career Moment:
One night about 1:00 a.m., Gretchen and John Rich found a side door of the Ryman Auditorium open. The snuck in and found a guitar on an empty stage. I jumped up on the stage and began singing Patsy Cline's 'If You've Got Leaving On Your Mind.' I felt I had an audience in there. It was totally empty and nothing but wood pews. It was like I was singing to a room full of ghosts. The security guard let me finish the song before kicking us out."    For more info on Gretchen Wilson - click here.

For More Information Call 1-800- PCBEACH (1-800-722-3224)

Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau and Visitors Information Center