Kick'n Up Kountry

Little Kickers to appear in Karlstad

kicknup — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:25:00 +0000

The Karlstad Eagles Club will be hosting the last qualifying round for the Little Kickers Karaoke Contest this Friday night, April 27^th.

Registration is at 7:00 pm and the contest will begin at 8:00pm

There are three age groups as follows:

Pre- school to 8 years old, 9-13 and 14 to 18.

The children are judged on voice, stage presence and audience response; so come out this Friday night and cheer your favorite “Little Kicker” on.

There will be a first, second and third place chosen from each age group; those children will move on to a Grand Final event which will be held at the Karlstad Eagles Club on May 4^th.

On May 4^th the top “Little Kicker” will be chosen in each age group to perform on the Kick’n Up Kountry stage on June 14^th during the 2012 festival at Wagon Wheel Ridge.

Little Kicker Contest Announced

kicknup — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:39:51 +0000

Ardell Larson, President of Kick’n Up Kountry, Inc. has just announced the first location of the 2012 Little Kicker Karaoke Contest. The contest will be held at Jon’s Bar & Grill on Saturday, April 14^th. Registration will be at 7:00 PM for those that have not pre registered. Contestants that want to participate may pre register by calling the office of Kick’n Up Kountry or by printing off the application from the web site and mailing it to the Kick’n Up Kountry office. The contest will begin at 8:00 PM

This contest is the first qualifying round with three age groups as follows: Preschool to 8 years old, 9 to 13 years old, and 14 to 18 years old. There will be a first, second, and third chosen in each age group. The 3 winners in each age group will move onto a Final to be held at a location yet to be determined. The winner in each age group chosen at the Finals will perform on the Kick’n Up Kountry stage on June 14^th.

There will be more locations hosting this event announced soon.

For further information on the Kick’n Up Kountry Little Kicker Karaoke contest or for more information on becoming a host site visit the Little Kicker Karaoke page on our website or you may phone the office @ 877-542-5687

Kick’n Up Kountry Announces Christmas Party and Camping Special

kicknup — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:12:04 +0000

Kick’n Up Kountry Announces Christmas Party and Camping Special

Kick’n Up Kountry is having a Christmas party at Jon’s Bar & Grill in Halma, MN on Dec. 9^th with Karaoke by Jason beginning at 9 pm to close. The 2011 Little Kicker Winner, Maxine Regalado, and the adult Karaoke winner for 2011, Jody Kirkeide, will be there to entertain you with a few numbers in the beginning of the evening. There will be Kick’n Up Kountry ticket give-a-ways and a brand new camping special.

Kick’n Up Kountry is announcing a new camping area this year which will allow you to bring your ice fish house to camp in! There will be specials on camping for the month of December which will begin for the first time at Jon’s Bar and Grill. You will be able to buy a campsite for $80 until the end of December 2011. You are saving $30.00 a campsite plus you can enter in the fun of selecting a decorating theme! You may submit your idea for a decorating theme for all fish houses and also for all regular camping. If your idea is selected you will win free camping. So put on your thinking cap and come up with a unique idea for the decorating contest. If you are unable to attend the party you may still submit your ideas by email or by phoning the Kick’n Up Kountry office during the month of December. There will be prizes awarded at the festival for the best decorated fish house plus prizes for the best decorated campsite in all other areas as well. The theme may be different for each area so don’t be afraid to submit your idea.

Jon’s bar & Grill will also be offering prizes at the party so come out and try your luck at winning.

Kick’n Up Kountry tickets are a good suggestion for that hard to buy for person and may be purchased at the party or on line @ www.kicknupkountry.com or by phoning the Kick’n Up Kountry office @ 877-542-5687.

THE McCLYMONTS RECEIVE CMA 2011 GLOBAL COUNTRY ARTIST AWARD

kicknup — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:46:53 +0000

Performing at Kick’n Up Kountry on Sat. June 16, 2012 at 5pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 9, 2011) — The McClymonts have received the 2011 CMA Global Country Artist Award. The Australian sisters – Brooke, Samantha, and Mollie McClymont – were presented with the honor during the annual CMA International Reception held on Nov. 7 as part of festivities around “The 45th Annual CMA Awards.” The Award was presented by CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore.

“Wow, after five months of living here in Nashville, to have picked up the CMA Global Country Artist Award is an absolute honor,” said Brooke McClymont, speaking for herself and her sisters.

Born in the small town of Grafton in New South Wales, the McClymonts have enjoyed great success in Australia. They won Best Group honors at the Country Music Awards of Australia in four of the past five years, and they earned Best Country Album honors from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in 2008 and 2010. Their second album, Wrapped Up Good, made the 2010 Top Five in national sales. The McClymonts expanded their territory to the United States by opening for Jason Aldean on his Fall 2010 tour, and in 2011 they released Wrapped Up Good in the U.S. On Nov. 23, they will perform at Tootsie’s 51st Birthday Bash at the legendary Nashville venue.

The Global Country Artist Award recognizes outstanding achievements by a Country Music artist originally signed outside of the United States – in both furthering the popularity of Country Music and bringing attention to the Country Music format in their foreign based territory.

Previous Winners of the Global Country Artist Award include:

2003 Lee Kernaghan, Australia

2004 Kasey Chambers and Slim Dusty, Australia

2005 Paul Brandt, Canada

2006 Jason McCoy, Canada

2007 Adam Harvey, Australia

2008 Troy Cassar-Daley, Australia

2009 Catherine Britt, Australia

2010 Tommy Emmanuel, Australia

(Photo: Christian Bottoroff/CMA)

Kick Off Party a Huge Success

kicknup — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:44:23 +0000

Jon’s Bar and Grill was buzzing with excitement this past weekend for the Kick’n Up Kountry Kick-Off Party that was held there to announce the artist line up for 2012. Huge prizes were awarded to the following lucky people:

1^st prize went to Dr. Jana Riley of Karlstad, MN, which consists of a pair of VIP tickets for the best seats in the house at Kick’n Up Kountry in 2012, the use of a love seat and a personal waitress for the weekend, VIP camping, and a pair of meet & greet passes to the artist of the winners’ choice. The lucky winner of 2^nd prize was awarded to Mickey Bothum of Karlstad, MN, which is a trip for two to Branson, Missouri with Bergan Travel of Thief River Falls, MN. The 3^rd prize of Custom VIP Tickets and VIP camping went to Irene Wallenberg of Lancaster, MN.

Announcements of the artists and special events coming to Wagon Wheel Ridge at Karlstad, MN on June 14^th, 15^th, and 16th took place on Friday night with Jason Rominski announcing the events, and a power ponight was filled with excitement, as well as the new band “Pick Six” performing for the first time for a packed house.

The following special events coming to Wagon Wheel Ridge in 2012 is brought to you by Mr. Glen Brazier: Chariot Races, a Lumberjack Show from WI, All Star Wrestling (back by popular demand), Lawnmower Races and Tom Knapp, the sharp shooter (also back by popular demand).

Ardell Larson, CEO of Kick’n Up Kountry who is in charge of the music part of the festival is proud to announce the following artists that will grace the stage of Kick’n Up Kountry in 2012:

Jody Kirkeide (winner of the 2011 Karaoke contest), The Ozark Jubilee Show which comes to you directly from Branson, int presentation designed by Katrice Housker. Saturday Missouri, Country Storm (a regional band), David Church, the Bellamy Brothers, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Eagle Creek ( A regional band), Australia’s #1 country music group; The McClymonts, Blackhawk, and Mark Chesnutt.

The bands providing entertainment in the Squeaky Spoke Saloon for the after-parties are: Pick Six, Eagle Creek and Smokehouse.

More information and schedules will be coming soon on the Kick’n Up Kountry website at: www.kicknupkountry.com

Kick’n Up Kountry Schedules Kick-Off Party

kicknup — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 15:39:58 +0000

Kick’n Up Kountry & Jon’s Bar & Grill in Halma, MN will be hosting a “kick-off” party on Fri. October 14^th and Sat. October 15^th. The highlight of the weekend is the announcement of the acts that will be gracing the stage at the Kick’n Up Kountry music festival on June 14^th, 15^th & 16^th, 2012 at Wagon Wheel Ridge in Karlstad, MN. Karaoke by Jason Rominski will be on Friday night and Josh Whitlow with his new band “Pick Six” will be the entertainment for Saturday night.

Kick’n Up Kountry is offering huge prizes that will be given away at the kick-off party. Individuals who purchase any kind of KUK ticket on Oct. 14^th or Oct. 15^th at the party, will get their name in a drawing for the following prizes:

1^st Prize includes: The best seats in the house at the KUK festival for two people! A comfortable love seat for two will be reserved in the VIP section for the lucky winner, along with their very own personal waitress service for the weekend!! Prize also includes free camping and meet & greet passes to the artist of their choice.

2^nd Prize includes: A trip for two, to Branson, Missouri with Bergan Travel of Thief River Falls, MN. The trip is scheduled to leave TRF on Nov. 14^th and return on Nov. 19^th. Highlights of the trip are as follows:

Daniel O’Donell Show, Andy Williams Christmas Show, Showboat Branson Belle Show & Dinner cruise, The Presley’s, Titanic Museum, Six Brothers (Chosen Branson’s #1 Entertainers for two years in a row), Stone Hill Winery tour, Branson Christmas Port of Lights Tour, Bass Pro Shop, Terry Redlin Studio, Precious Moments Museum/Chapel and shopping.

The escorted package inclu des: Deluxe motor coach transportation, 5-nights hotel accommodations, all shows and attractions listed above, three dinners in Branson, deluxe continental breakfast every morning, city tour including Branson Landing, Branson’s accommodations at Marriott’s Residence Inn w/ 1-bedroom condominiums. The total prize value is $1,638. *This trip is transferable if the winner is unable to attend.

3^rd Prize Includes: One free VIP campsite for the weekend at Kick’n Up Kountry.

Drawing for these extraordinary prizes will be held on Saturday October 15^th at 11p.m. at Jon’s Bar and Grill in Halma, MN. Must be present to win.

Kick’n Up Kountry’s jail was a big success!

kicknup — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 17:01:56 +0000

Kick’n Up Kountry’s jail was a big success!

Kick’n Up Kountry reports that their Jailbird project at Moose Fest was a huge success. Lots of people spent a short time in jail to help raise money for the Hopes, Dreams, & Smiles Fund that brings children with a life threatening illness to Kick’n Up Kountry. Some people paid to put someone in jail, some paid to keep them in longer, and some paid to bail their friends out of the jail. There was a lot of laughs and the total amount raised was $678.70 as one little boy paid .70 to get his friend out of jail.

J.R. Christiansen was the young man along with the other grandchildren of Geraldine Hultgren that raised the most money for the cause to get their grandmother out of jail. He raised $73.00 and was the lucky winner of the VIP Custom ticket to Kick’n Up Kountry 2012.

[[Show as slideshow]]

Kick’n Up Kountry is looking for Jailbirds!

kicknup — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:46:03 +0000

Kick’n Up Kountry is looking for jailbirds to take part in a fun event at Moose Fest in Karlstad on August 13^th. The Kick’n Cops will be roaming the streets looking for willing people to go into the make shift jail that will be on main street. The person will then use their cell phone to make calls to raise bail. The event is being planned to raise funds for the Hopes, Dreams, & Smiles fund that brings children with a life threatening illness to Kick’n Up Kountry. The only requirements for a child to attend is that they must be suffering from a life threatening illness and be a country music fan. Each child whose dream is granted receives a weekend to remember that includes VIP tickets for their parents and a sibling to attend the festival, an overnight stay in a hotel, special seating at the festival, an autograph and picture taking session with the artists and a limo ride to and from the event. This special time gives the child that is suffering from the illness time to get away from thinking of chemo treatments and hospital stays. The estimated retail value of each dream meeting is $2000 per family.

In 2004, the inception of what is now known as the Hopes, Dreams, & Smiles got its’ start.

The first “dream meeting” was with Brittany Wells and Neal McCoy. Since then, the founder of Kick’n Up Kountry, Ardell Larson has worked diligently to make this foundation a reality by formally organizing in 2007, assembling a board of directors and establishing a permanent fund with the NW Minnesota Foundation in Bemidji, MN. Since then, many “dream meetings” with the country music stars who have graced the stage of Kick’n Up Kountry have taken place and the smiles and hopes have carried on long past the festivals.

If anyone would like to surrender to be a jailbird you can gather pledges ahead of time so your time in jail will be minimal. The Kick’n Cops are making this legal and they say that the person that raises the most money will win VIP tickets for the 2012 festival. You may also recommend someone to be a jailbird just to make it more fun. If you recommend someone and they raise the most money, you will win VIP tickets also.

To recommend someone or to surrender to be a jailbird you may call 1-877-542-5687 or 218-754-2861. Hope to see you all at Karlstad’s Moose Fest on August 13^th!

…And the band played on

kicknup — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:44:38 +0000

Although no actual numbers were available on Monday morning, Kick’n Up Country promoter Ardell Larson said she was very happy with the results of the Kick’n Up Country event and the crowds that attended. It was the event’s first shot at holding the festival at a permanent site about one mile west of Karlstad, and as things fell together over the weekend, the site seemed an almost perfect fit. With the stage located at the bottom of the slope on Wagon Wheel Ridge, the crowd simply sat down in lawn chairs to take in the concerts, and there was not a bad seat “in the house”. “My first impression is that it was very successful,” Ardell stated on Monday following the big show. “We were just overwhelmed with all of the support we received during the show, and with all of the positive comments. Everybody involved stepped up to the plate to make it all work.” Although many in the crowd were local, there were still very many who came some distance to take in the shows. And by Saturday night, when Diamond Rio took to the stage, the crowd had grown quite large. “I was in my trailer and looked out at the crowd,” Ardell said, “and could see the arms waving in the air, and everyone getting into the swing of the concert.” Ardell said they will now try to build on the apparent success of this first year on the site, tweaking and polishing to make things even better as the festival matures. “We heard a lot of good comments,” she stated, “in fact we didn’t hear anything negative. Usually there are a few negatives out there, but we haven’t heard any yet.” She said she was visiting with Timmy Lee Goffee following his tribute to Johnny Cash, and asked if he could think of something they might do to make the show better. “Ma’am,” he replied, “I’m just as happy as I can be. It’s just perfect.” Despite those encouraging words, Ardell said they will be starting to work soon on the 2012 Kick’n Up Kountry, and doing whatever they can to make it even better next year.

Dan Nordine
Managing Editor North Star News
PO Box 158
Karlstad, MN 56732
EMAIL: dan@wiktel.com
218-436-2157

PROGRESS CONTINUES ON WAGON WHEEL RIDGE

kicknup — Mon, 23 May 2011 22:12:24 +0000

Polish up your dancing shoes, as the Squeaky Spoke Saloon is nearing completion. Festival dates are drawing closer and with each passing day you will see many changes as you drive by the new permanent home of Kick’n Up Kountry. The after parties (which will take place after the national acts are through entertaining on the main stage) will be held in the newly constructed 50′ X 104′ structure, which will nicely accommodate the huge crowd expected to attend.

The new saloon will be hosting three dances during the music festival on the nights of June 16^th through the 18^th. You may dance and be entertained by the Whiskey 7 Band on Thursday, Shell Shock on Friday, and Smokehouse will close out the event on the Saturday.

Tickets are being sold at the following businesses in the area for the Kick’n Up Kountry festival:

Karlstad:

Karlstad Korner
Supermarket Foods

Lancaster:

Glad’s Store

Hallock:

Kittson County Enterprise

Thief River Falls:

Thief River Falls Radio