Dan "The Blog Man" Stone

What a great trip so far!  We've had two private concerts in the convention center here at the Aventura Spa Palace and they were outstanding!  Neal McCoy, Phil Vassar and Jason Michael Carroll all brought their A game as far as performances go.  I'm still deciding if the world is ready to see my performance of The Hillbilly Rap with Neal.... hmmm.  

The meet and greet went off without a hitch and you can't beat the view in the morning while we are broadcasting.  We are out on a large palapa overlooking the ocean and the resort.

Our room is next to the pool and Jason Michael Carroll has had his fill of water polo and pool volleyball.  I don't think I've seen so many people doing water aerobics at once before... maybe I should get in there! Everyone is so friendly here and we've been spoiled by the food.  And yes... you all heard right, my wife talked me into a pedicure.

Be sure to check out our Great Escape WNCY Photo Gallery and look for a tropical word of the day in each gallery for your chance to win tickets to The Brothers in the Sun Tour with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw.

If you're looking for even more photos of the Great Escape to see what your friends and family have been up to in Mexico, check out hundreds of photos being uploaded daily by Katy at Fox World Travcel.  Click Here for more photos.

You could win tickets to the Brothers In The Sun Tour! Listen for the details with The Bear live from Mexico starting Monday morning on Y100!

Check out pics and video from last year's Y100 Great Escape

We will be hiding a word inside our daily photo gallery, find each word and enter the phrase on Friday for your chance to win TWO tickets to "Brothers of the Sun" Tour featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney in Chicago. Winner will be announced On-Air on Monday February 6th. GOOD LUCK FROM YOUR #1 FOR COUNTRY AND FUN Y00!

Miranda Lambert shows off her ring at Y100's Country USA. Miranda turns up the heat with Y100 listners April 18th at The Resch Center. Here are the details on a special Y100 Pre-sale  this Thursday 1/26/12 ~ Dan

Click here for tickets

You could reveal the ACM Enertainer nominees, watch this video from Reba for details!

www.facebook.com/AcademyOfCountryMusic AND www.twitter.com/ACMAwardsCOUNTRY MUSIC FANS INVITED TO ANNOUNCE ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY& SURPRISE VIP GUESTS WILL ANNOUNCE CATEGORIES VIA VIDEO POSTS

We sent out an email to all of our Great Escape Travelers, but we wanted to be sure you receive this important information.

On Monday we received news from managements of Jake Owen and Thompson Square informing us that they would not be able to attend Great Escape this year.  As some of you already know,  Jake had a snowboarding accident last week and broke his collarbone.  The breaks (three of them) were much more severe than first thought, requiring surgery on Tuesday.  He will require extensive physical therapy and cancellation of his tour schedule for the immediate future.

The news from Thompson Square was equally disheartening.  Shawna’s father was just diagnosed with a terminal illness and the immediate prognosis is challenging to say the least.  She has chosen to return home to be with him and cancel several events including the Great Escape.  

We are very pleased to announce that Neal McCoy, two-time “entertainer of the year” and owner of three platinum and one gold record will be joining us as the headliner for our second concert.  Neal is a country music icon with 10 studio albums and 34 single records to his credit.  We’re really appreciative to Neal for adjusting his tour and travel commitments to join us in Mexico.  As a result we are moving the second concert to Tuesday, January 31^st. 

Opening for Neal McCoy is Jason Michael Carroll, owner of 5 Billboard Hot Country top forty hits including Alyssa Lies, Livin’ Our Love Song and Where I am From.  Jason has wanted to participate in Great Escape for the last several years and is so excited to finally have his opportunity.  Believe me, he is excited!!!

We thank you for understanding a situation that has affected the lives of Jake and Thompson Square beyond their control.  We ask that you keep them in your thoughts as they get through this difficult time.

With that said, in my radar shows one big party featuring Phil Vassar, Neal McCoy and Jason Michael Carroll with Y100 in Mexico in just a few days.

 Check out Neal McCoy's New Video

A coffee shop in South Carolina is getting attention because of the kindness of its customers. Two years ago, a customer left a one hundred dollar bill to pay for the drinks of other customers until it ran out, and customers have been “paying it forward” ever since. Now, a stream of customers and strangers come to the coffee shop to donate money for others to receive complimentary drinks. A waitress who works there says that no one leaves their name, just their money and a feeling of inspiration for the community. When I read this story it reminded me of this great song you've heard so many times on Y100! ~ Dan

We heard many amazing stories of hope and courage at the Country Cares For St. Jude Kids radio seminar in Memphis this weekend I hope to post videos of our meet the patients sessions and more as they become avalable. Our guest speaker this year was Marcus Luttrell, author of "Lone Survivor" The story of Navy Seal Operation Redwing and it's heros. Marcus says I'm not a hero..."you wanna see tough, talk to the kids at St. Jude"

Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott and drummer Chris Tyrrell have tied the knot!

The couple were married on Saturday in Upstate New York in front of family and close friends.

In a video posted to Lady Antebellum's official website, Chris says: "I'd like to introduce you to Mrs. Hillary Scott Tyrrell".

Hillary says:  "We got married!  We just wanted you to hear it from us first. We love you. We're so excited to be starting our life together and we just had to let you in on the exciting news."

The video contains footage of Scott in her custom Vera Wang strapless mermaid dress with hand-applied crystal and pearl beading. She's also wearing a mantilla veil with hand-cut chantilly lace applique and holding white flowers. Tyrrell is wearing a gray suit by Ermenegildo Zegna with a black shirt and a gray tie.

Watch Hillary & Chris announcement video

Hard to believe, but TRUE! Sarah Burge, known as the ‘Human Barbie’ after undergoing one plastic surgery after another, in a quest to ‘look like Barbie’ gave her 7-year-old daughter Poppy a ‘gift certificate for Liposuction’ as a Christmas ‘stocking stuffer.’ This little girl already has another voucher she received on her birthday for ‘breast enhancement‘ hat she can redeem when she turns 18 too! Call me old school, but this is crazy, what do you think?

Oddsmakers in Las Vegas say the Green Bay Packers are the favorite to win the Super Bowl.  I don't want to jinx the Packers great season but, here's what the "oddsmakers" say. GO PACK GO!

Oddsmakers at Cantor Gaming have the Packers as 9-5 favorites to win the Super Bowl while the Denver Broncos have the worst odds to win the Big Game at 120-1.

The New England Patriots are the favorite in AFC to win the Super Bowl: The Pats are being given an 18% shot.

SF 49ers are given 12-1 title odds, and the NY Giants a 20-1 shot.

Check out "Bullet" from Katy Perry does she have a chance in country?

Here are some of the most shared ads on You Tube in 2011. I still love the VW kid. What's your favorite? Happy New Year! Dan