Published 12/11/06 in The Times-Herald

By W. WINSTON SKINNER
winston@newnan.com

Newnan native Alan Jackson has seen his work selected for four Grammy Award nominations and recently took part in groundbreaking for a development in Florida.

The well-known country singer, whose mother and sisters still live in Coweta County, took part in groundbreaking for La Borgata, a development at Panama City Beach on Nov. 30. Jackson has endorsed the project.

Jackson also learned he has been nominated for four Grammy Awards — Best Country Song, "Like Red on a Rose," Melanie Castleman and Robert Lee Castleman, songwriters; Best Country Album, "Like Red on a Rose;" Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, "Like Red on a Rose," Brandon Bell, Terry Christian and Gary Paczosa, engineers; and Best Southern, Country Or Bluegrass Gospel Album, "Precious Memories."

La Borgata is an exquisite community development project that will be constructed by Ronnie Gilley Properties, LLC (RGP) of Enterprise, Ala.

Jackson, who is the official celebrity endorser for the project, was joined by Ronnie Gilley, president and chief executive officer of the company; for the ceremonies. Also taking part were Mayor Gail Oberst, Debi Knight of the Beach Chamber of Commerce and Mike McCann, president of SunSouth Bank in Dothan, Ala.

The Ronnie Gilley Properties staff, a number of city officials and affiliated real estate agents, as well as fans and neighbors looked on as the group of dignitaries officially unveiled the site plans for the luxury residential, family-oriented development.

Knight acted as master of ceremonies for the event. As part of the festivities, Jackson offered welcoming gift items to attendees — in a public prize drawing — including an autographed guitar and a jean shirt and CDs to the project VIP's.

La Borgata is located between Destin and Panama City in walking distance of the white sandy beaches of the Emerald Coast. The project is situated on a 14.5-acre site just south of Highway 98 in Panama City Beach.

The blueprint for the site features 189 spacious, luxury town homes and condominiums. Most have three or four bathrooms, although there are some two-bedroom condominiums and studio units located above the retail shops..

Jackson and his family will own a three-bedroom condominium. Construction on his personal home-away-from-home is scheduled to begin this summer with an early 2008 completion date anticipated. La Borgata will be completed in its entirety by Fall 2008.

"La Borgata is a small decoration to the flourishing future of Panama City Beach," Ronnie Gilley said.

In a statement on his website, Jackson reflected on his Grammy nominations. "It always feels good to be included in some of the best music in the business, especially with my wife and daughters' voices on the gospel album and the chance to step out a little on 'Like Red on a Rose,'" he stated.

"Precious Memories," which has been certified platinum, was the result of suggestions by Jackson's mother, Ruth Jackson, and his mother-in-law, Nell Jackson, that he make a gospel recording.

The 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards will air live from Los Angeles on Feb. 11 on CBS.