Article taken from www.dalejr.com:

RANDLEMAN, N.C. (March 1, 2010) – Victory Junction kicked off their “Keeping the Dream Alive” campaign today by announcing that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will join the elite list of Victory Junction Founders, as he commits to donate $1,000,000 to build and maintain The Dale Jr. Corral and Amphitheatre at the Randleman, N.C. camp for children with serious illnesses.

Victory Junction began with a dream, Adam Petty’s Dream. His passion for helping children drove him to think of new ways to directly change the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. During a Nationwide Series practice session in 2000, tragically, Adam lost his life…but not his dream. Adam’s dream now lives on in the lives of over 13,000 children and families that have suffered from over two dozen diseases such as cancer, hemophilia, spina bifida, physical disabilities and sickle cell.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is keeping Adam’s dream alive.  On March 27, 2010, during The Dale Jr. Foundation Physical Disabilities Weekend at Victory Junction, Dale Jr. will join the Victory Junction family as a Founder and will break ground on a one-of-a-kind project, The Dale Jr. Corral and Amphitheatre.  Eighty-eight members of The JR Nation Crew, The Official Fan Club of Dale Jr., will be randomly selected to be special guests for this private ground breaking ceremony.  To become a part of the FREE JR Nation Crew fan club and be eligible to attend, go to www.dalejr.com

“There are many reasons why we wanted to get involved with Victory Junction and build this amphitheatre, and it starts with the tremendous impact the camp has on these kids.  It’s incredible how one week changes lives,” said Earnhardt Jr.  “Just as important to me is my friendship with Kyle and Pattie Petty, and the memory of my buddy, Adam Petty.  Adam and I met each other at an early age, and from that point on our lives and careers were virtually parallel.  He was as genuine as they get and a great friend.  If I can play a small part in helping Kyle and Pattie keep his dream alive, it doesn’t require a second thought.”

This unique, interactive & accessible outdoor amphitheatre will provide campers, the opportunity to sing a song, act in a play, tell a joke, play an instrument, watch a movie or even get their face pictured on an old, western “Wanted” poster along with the infamous outlaw, “Junior.”

“Pattie and I are extremely humbled by Jr.’s kindness and generosity. We’ve known Jr. since he was a kid and it means the world to us that he is honoring our son, Adam, by helping change the lives of these kids,” said Kyle Petty. ”Adam is definitely smiling.”

Victory Junction is extremely proud and humbled by the generosity and hard work of all of the individuals who not only believed in Adam’s dream, but helped make it a reality. Now it is time to keep that dream alive. You, too, can join Dale Jr. and Victory Junction in their mission to help this very deserving group of children.

Go to http://www.victoryjunction.org/ to donate toward the project and to learn about Victory Junction’s new Dream Team Challenge. Sign up as a crew chief, start your own Dream Team and join us in honoring the young man who had the vision to make us all feel our hearts race!

About The Dale Jr. Foundation
The Dale Jr. Foundation is a charity dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals with a focus on youth, the resources to improve their confidence and education, and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals. For more information, visit http://www.thedalejrfoundation.org/.

About Victory Junction
Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages six to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, N.C. with a second location opening soon in Kansas City, Kan. Victory Junction offers programs for 24 disease groups and maintains strong relationships with 30 partner hospitals. Victory Junction’s mission is to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous donors to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. For more information, visit http://www.victoryjunction.org/.

One of the best things about living in NC is that the “country” is just down the road.  We don’t have to travel hours outside the city to appreciate the beauty of God’s hand.  This video looks like it could have been shot just around the corner.  Absolutely gorgeous!

Hey Ladies…wouldn’t you love to get a message from a hot country artist on your birthday?  I know it would make my day!  Well, just go HERE and sign up for free, and Country hottie Chuck Wicks will leave you a personal message on your birthday!  Just like he did THIS lucky lady …

xoxo
-Charley

First of all, I must admit, I am a celebrity gossip junkie.  I love to read about the latest thing my favorite actresses/actors/musicians are doing/wearing/saying.  But I have a bit of disdain for those people who are “celebrities” for absolutely no reason at all.  They haven’t done anything to propel themselves to stardom – i.e. acted in a movie, had a hit song, talked on the radio (j/k!) – they’re just famous because they were born into a rich family.  Lucky them, but I’m still not sure why anyone cares what they are doing.  Especially when they pull something like this:

TMZ has confirmed with limousine manufacturer Armor Horse, that Kim Kardashian – the girlfriend of New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush – will be chauffeured around Miami next week during the Superbowl in a tank/limo hybrid featuring bulletproof windows and composite ballastic panels.
The 2009 Armor Horse Vault XXL looks like a combination between a Brinks truck, an 18-wheeler, and an ambulance.  It seats 28 people and features over six-and-a-half feet of standing room.  The price tag is a hefty $770/hr. during Superbowl week, or roughly $8,000/night.  If you want to buy it, the Armor Horse retails for $149,900 and boasts functional gun ports, two bars, seven TV’s, and various emergency escape hatches.
Why Kim Kardashian needs more protection than Colts’ star Peyton Manning, Saints’ QB Drew Brees, or even her boyfriend – all of whom will be taken to the Superbowl in a regular old charter bus with police escorts – is anybody’s guess.

I have no words…

xoxo
-Charley

As the year comes to an end, everyone loves to make lists of the best/worst/etc.  I thought I’d join in the fun!  Here are a few of my favorite things from 2009:

Favorite Country Albums
Keith Urban – Defying Gravity
Eric Church – Carolina

Favorite Concerts
Kenny Chesney (twice!)
Bon Jovi
Taylor Swift

Favorite New Country Acts
(There’s a lot of these! And they may not be “new” but they were new to me this year)
Love & Theft
Gloriana
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
Justin Moore
Matt Stillwell

Favorite Guests in the Wolf’s Den
Phil Vassar
Chris Young
Billy Currington
(what can I say, I like when the Country boys come to visit!)

Honorable Mention Events
Danny Gokey singing Happy Birthday to me
Working on the “Extreme Home Makeover” house
Chris Young’s album release party in Burlington
Justin Moore’s concert on the baseball field in Wallburg
Meeting 50 Cent when he came to our sister station

2009 was an awesome year and I feel so lucky to be a part of all the great things that happen with The Wolf!!  Thank you listeners so much for letting us do what we do and being a part of the Wolf family!!  I can’t wait for 2010

xoxo
-Charley

Nothing makes you feel all warm & fuzzy inside in the wintertime quite like hot apple cider!!  Here is a yummy, easy recipe that your friends and family will enjoy!  *thanks to my friend, Mendy, for sharing it!*
xoxo
-Charley

Red Hot Apple Cider

2/3 Cup Red Cinnamon Candies (Red Hots)
8 Cups (1/2 gallon) Apple Cider

Combine in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.  Stir mixture constantly (or candies will stick to the bottom) until candies are melted.
Add thin apple slices, if desired, and serve warm in large mugs.
**Adult twist: stir in 1 Cup Apple Brandy (or to taste) before serving.

What a great way to generate breast cancer awareness!  And I’ll bet work morale was boosted quite a bit while they were doing this too…they all look like they are having so much fun!

xoxo
-Charley

“Suun-ny days, sweepin the…clouds a-way, on my way to where the air is sweeeet”

Who doesn’t know how to finish that song?  It’s as American as Apple Pie, and today, November 10th, Sesame Street celebrates 40 years on the air teaching ABC’s, 123’s, manners, tolerance, and much much more to kids (and adults, too).  Sesame Street debuted into the world less than a month before I did, on November 10th, 1969, so I feel an extra special kinship with the show – we’ve grown up together!  Changing with the times, adding new characters and saying goodbye to old ones, learning new things every day, and hopefully making the world a little bit happier.  Yup, that’s Sesame Street and me, too.  So Happy Birthday, Old Friend!  May we both continue to have sunny days & sweep the clouds away for many many years to come!!

xoxo
-Charley

ABC is all about some country music this coming week.  First, on Tuesday, November 10th, Robin Roberts from Good Morning America (who was once a country radio dj, by the way) hosts In The Spotlight With Robin Roberts: Bright Lights, Big Stars, All Access Nashville (whew! Long title!).  The show will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at country music, and will travel to the homes of Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, and more.

Then, of course, on Wednesday, November 11th, it’s “Country’s Biggest Night”, the CMA AWARDS!!  Hosted by Carrie Underwood (who has at least 9 costume changes lined up) and Brad Paisley (I’m sure he has considerably less), the awards show will feature performances from some of the hottest acts in country music today.  Now, personally, I don’t really care who wins what award, but I LOVE watching the live performances!  There’s always a few surprises, and with Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney/Dave Matthews, Kid Rock/Jamey Johnson, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, and tons more set to perform, it is a music lovers’ dream!

Now if I could only convince the big bossman that we need a live reporter (i.e. ME) from the event….

xoxo
-Charley

I lovelovelove Miranda Lambert – her spunk, talent, “real girl” attitude, and the fact that she’s dating Blake Shelton   She seems like someone I would definitely hang around with (and would definitely not want to make mad at me! ha).  Check out her new album, Revolution, and the first single/video, “White Liar”.

**Jamey Johnson fans: pay attention to the preacher in the video!

xoxo
-Charley