Music makes Van Wert special

The events of the last couple weeks have made me pause to think about good ole’ Van Wert.  Two weeks ago we brought two of our favorite sons back home to play a concert in Fountain Park.  n follow-up conversations with each of these performers, they expressed sentiments I feel you as residents of Van Wert and surrounding areas should hear.

Sonny Boy Terry Jerome commented on his Facebook page the following, “Thank you everyone for coming out. Thank you Paul Hoverman and the VW County Foundation. I feel so blessed and overwhelmed by everyone’s support and goodwill. More than anything I hope the music lived up to the hype.”

He also told me that it meant so much to him to be able to return home once again and play for people who meant so much to him while growing up.

Mel Deal, who in his nearly 40 years of professional playing has performed with so many stars and professionals in the music field all over the world, stated to me in an email a comment that really took me back. He said, “The performance we just had in Fountain Park was the most memorable and meaningful one I have ever been a part of.”

Now, this is the man who just a week before had played with and directed the music for the legendary Willie Nelson!  He has been on TV’s “Hee Haw,” The Grand Ole Opry, performed with notable symphony orchestras, and backed up about everyone you can imagine.  Van Wert’s Fountain Park Summer Music Series concert, he says, is his most memorable and gratifying!

This last Friday’s band, Aftermath: Experience the Sixties, commented afterward that our audience was the best and most enjoyable they have played for, maybe ever!  Then today, I just received a phone call on my cell phone from New York. On the other end was Jeb from the Simon & Garfunkel Tribute we had last summer. They are looking at a possible performance in Barcelona, Spain, and were wondering if I could write a testimonial for them about their performance in Fountain Park last year. He said of all their performances, Van Wert still stuck in their mind as the finest audience, neatest venue, and “coolest” town they have been to (he also mentioned Balyeat’s pie).

Are you starting to become a believer?  We constantly hear compliments from performers at the Niswonger PAC about how much they enjoy playing to our crowds. I guess it’s about time for you, our audience members, to stand up and take a bow!  Thank you for being the kind of audience that performers enjoy so much.  I think you know that performers feed off their audience and receive energy back from you. So, congratulations on being such a good and appreciative audience.

(Industries around the world, are you listening?  Van Wert and its surrounding area have great people and this should be the kind of community you should consider when locating your next industry or business!)

This week brings another performer to Fountain Park who really enjoyed her time here four years ago.  Rhonda Vincent, the Queen of Bluegrass, and her band, the Rage will be piloting their Martha White tour bus into Van Wert for a 7 p.m. concert.  The good people of First Friends Church are looking forward to cooking up some delicious food for you, too!

That same evening, at 7:30 p.m., the Miss West Central Ohio Scholarship Pageant will be going on at the NPAC, hosted by Miss America 2009 Katie Stam. If you would rather be a part of a TV studio audience (it will be televised later on NBC and FOX Lima) and enjoy the pageant, tickets are available in advance at the NPAC box office or at the door Friday night. Two great choices for you this Friday night!

One last item: single show tickets for the Lennon Sisters just went on sale Tuesday at the NPAC. Don’t wait too long for this one as they are selling fast.  As part of the Community Concert Series and with Grand and Select Series sales, we are already two-thirds full and I expect this one to sell out soon. On Saturday, October 6, at 7:30 p.m., instead of watching them on PBS re-runs on “The Lawrence Welk Show,” come to the NPAC and catch them LIVE in a huge stage production you won’t want to miss!

FINÉ.