When an airplane carrying country music star Miranda Lambert had to make an emergency landing June 3 at the North Central West Virginia Airport, it proved to be a good experience for more than just airport staff and those that happened to know she was in town for a few hours. It also proved to be a good experience for Lambert and, because of that, the airport, Bridgeport and Clarksburg, and even the entire state of West Virginia has gotten positive publicity it couldn’t buy.

 

It all started the next day when NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock said there was a state and national media blitz. The cherry on the blitz was contact from national news magazine show Inside Edition that interviewed Lambert about her visit, which included flattering comments about the airport, the hospitality and more. There was also a brief interview with Rock and his two children Bella and Branner.

 

“We actually did that interview through Facetime and modern technology,” said Rock. “I was amazed how many people recognized that video and our home. I was getting calls from all over the country from friends that saw it. The publicity from that was all positive and I have the staff here that treats everyone positive when they come through to thank for it.”

 

Of course, it didn’t end there. Lambert recently released a short, behind-the-scenes look at the release of her new album Platinum. Although the video has music, interviews and more, the end of it shows her stop at the NCWV Airport. Footage shows her with airport staff, including getting permission to cross the runway. Lambert certainly appears to be enjoying her short visit in Bridgeport prior to being taken to Nashville later that day.

 

“Miranda Lambert is appreciated by young and old alike for her talent and after personally meeting her I know why. She’s just a down-to-earth, super sweet country girl,” said Rock. “I’m glad she enjoyed her time here and how our employees, the airport employees, treat people is important no matter who it is. This just happened to be Miranda Lambert.”

 

And she just happened to think enough of her visit to include it in her video release promoting her new album.

 

“When you get exposure of this facility that’s so positive out to people beyond this area, it’s good for the airport,” said Rock. “It’s good for all of West Virginia because for a lot of people the first exposure they’ll get of our state is at this airport and they got to see a sample of the hospitality they’ll be greeted with. “

 

Editor’s Note:Below is the video that features parts of Lambert’s stay in Bridgeport. Please note the video contains mild profanity. The second video clip is from Inside Edition. In the top video still, Lambert sits by as clearance is given to take her across the runway. Bottom photo is or Rock and Lambert with Rock's two children Branner and Bella.