Jo Dee joins Big Jake for a second interview ahead of her show in Nashville at the Washington County Fair. This time around, Jake and Jo Dee talk her faith and it's importance alongside her career choice. Would she ever do a collaborative album featuring her hits sung alongside newer country artists. Were there ever any songs that she passed on that would go on to become huge hits, you'll be shocked at the big one she passed up. And so much more!

After a widely successful 2023 concert, The Washington County Fair is proud to announce that headlining the fair concert on July 10th, is Jo Dee Messina, a country artist who has posted nine No. 1 hits, sixteen Top 40 songs, sold over five million albums worldwide, and has been honored by the ACM Awards, CMA Awards, and Grammy Awards.

Opening for Messina is Walker Montgomery, who has been chosen as an Artist to Watch by Country Now, Music Mayhem Magazine, Sounds Like Nashville, and The Boot. The Country Next pick by Country Now is a rising singer/songwriter who knows a thing or two about family tradition, but he’s an artist making his own legacy. The 21-year-old son of John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery pedigree is matched only by his country passion.

The concert will take place at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Nashville, Illinois. Gates will open at 6 PM, and the show will begin at 7 PM. Tickets (if available) and show information can be found at thewashingtoncountyfair.com!

 

It’s been a fantastic FFA Week and our FFA Chapter of The Month contest was a success yet again thanks to the local chapters and all you listeners! We got to hear about some great and well deserving chapters, but one stands above the rest. Our grand prize winner, WOODLAWN! They pulled out all the stops and sent out the signal to all students, alumni, and members of the community… and they responded big time! The Woodlawn FFA chapter is a tight-knit group. Countless stories from former members about their time recount how it not only helped them open up and meet others, but also how it set them on the path for future success in college and life after schooling. Some still connect with former classmates years and years later. The students at Woodlawn also have a positive impact on the younger kids in our area. Those children aspire to become FFA members due to the great work the Woodlawn students do throughout their community. They have done everything from collecting donations for local community banks to helping out each year with a petting zoo for the grade schoolers and various fundraising events throughout the year. And they’ve even fundraised for other FFA chapters in their time of need. All while still performing in their competitions and workshops. The Woodlawn FFA chapter may be small, but they work hard and create a welcoming environment for students to learn and grow, with a lot of community support behind them! Give it up for the Woodlawn FFA chapter, our FFA Chapter of the Month! Thanks to Landon Hutchison & Gracie Lowery for stopping by Big Jake's show.

 
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Big Jake had royalty in the house today. The 2025 Washington County Fair Queens, Little Miss Paisley Hund, Jr. Miss Maylen Kramper and Miss Washington County Fair Maci Wolf were all guests to talk about what winning means to them and how they hope to best represent their hometown.

 
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Whitney Hodge joins Big Jake's show to discuss the importance of CASA to Jefferson County as well as their upcoming Fried Chicken Dinner Fundraiser this weekend. Learn more about CASA and how you can become an advocate for foster children in Jefferson County via this interview!

 

We are in serious need of foster parents in this area! However, just because fostering may not be the right fit for you, doesn't mean there aren't other ways to help!

As of 7/31/24, there are 176 Jefferson County children in foster care. Only 92 of those children have a CASA Advocate. The #1 reason that we are not serving 100% of the children is due to a lack of volunteers.

Our volunteers spend an average of 5-10 hours per month advocating for a foster child or set of siblings. Those hours would include meeting with the child monthly, maintaining contact with the caseworker, service providers and CASA supervisor and attending court hearings and case meetings when needed. The CASA advocate is the eyes and the ears for the judge outside of the courtroom and the voice for the child in the courtroom. A New Advocate Training class will begin in October!

 
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