To confront the growing fear of the nation-wide economic meltdown and the direct loss of revenue and jobs to the State of Alabama, Ronnie Gilley (CEO, Ronnie Gilley Properties/Ronnie Gilley Entertainment and developer of Country Crossing, Dothan, AL), James Stroud (President of Ronnie Gilley Entertainment and award-winning music producer) and country superstars, Tracy Lawrence (”Paint Me A Birmingham”), Marty Stuart (”Tempted” & “The Marty Stuart Show”-RFD-TV) and Darryl Worley (”Have You Forgotten”) barnstormed Alabama today and will do so again tomorrow, Wednesday, March 11, 2009, with stops in Dothan, Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville and Mobile to announce plans for a series of major entertainment complexes.

Entertainment destinations will be located in Jefferson, Macon and Houston Counties creating thousands of jobs and millions of tax dollars and charitable contributions. Gilley is outspoken about economic development and the need for new job opportunities.

“Alabama is in dire need of job opportunities. The state coffers are empty and we need to create a solid tax base for our future. Tourism is the answer and the only way to make that happen is to create destinations that people want to visit. Entertainment is the key and Alabama needs to do everything in its power to make this happen. Gilley Entertainment will partner with various electronic operators to create ”boutique” versions of Country Crossing throughout the state.” says Gilley.

The Birmingham Race Track and Victoryland in Shorter will be part of the entertainment circuit with showrooms and celebrity venues being planned.

Gilley is building the world-class entertainment destination, Country Crossing, in Dothan, Alabama. Designed to be a family-friendly resort with luxury hotels, an RV resort, bingo pavilion, celebrity themed venues and restaurants, a family entertainment center and one-of-a-kind entertainment events at the festival grounds, Country Crossing will also create thousands of jobs. [www.countrycrossingalabama.com]

Gilley launched last year’’s extremely successful BamaJam Music & Arts Festival in Enterprise. The inaugural 3-day event drew more than 200,000 music fans to Coffee County and featured more than 30 acts on three separate stages. This year’’s BamaJam Music & Arts Festival secured Verizon Wireless as title sponsor. The mega outdoor entertainment event will take place June 4 - 6, 2009 and features Grammy award-winning and platinum selling headliners including Taylor Swift, Kid Rock, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, The Black Crowes and many more. [www.bamajammusicfestival.com]

Gilley has also just announced the Jones Jam–a free music concert to be held Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan. The concert will star Country Legend and Gilley National Spokesman, George Jones, as well as Clint Black, Lee Greenwood, Aaron Tippin and others. The mini festival will start at 2 p.m. with gates opening at 12 noon.