Headliner Randy Travis (right) performs during the 12th annual Celebrity Concert for Charity at the Fraze Pavilion, Friday, August 14, 2009.
Photo: MediaMoments.com/ Peter Wine
Kettering OH – August 15, 2009
From the moment he walked out on the stage, it was obvious that Randy Travis was feeling the love.
Despite what many are calling a down economy, K99.1FM’s Nancy Wilson was thrilled that this concert was the first sellout in 12 years for the 12th annual Celebrity Concert for Charity, which will benefit local Cystic Fybrosis research and CF families in the Dayton area through Children’s Medical Center of Dayton.
Many in the audience already knew it, and the rest found out soon that the traditional opening act was replaced at this show by celebrity performances and the finals in a karaoke contest that saw Tim Newman of Beavercreek beat out Deidra Noel of Springfield and Jenni Hoag of Fairborn to win a trip to Las Vegas. Noel and Hoag tied for second. All three got to meet Randy Travis after the show.
(from left) Karaoke contest finalists Tim Newman of Beavercreek, Deidra Noel of Springfield and Jenni Hoag of Fairborn perform during the 12th annual Celebrity Concert for Charity at the Fraze Pavilion, Friday, August 14, 2009. Newman was awarded first place by the four judge panel, giving him a trip to Las Vegas and other prizes. All three got to meet Randy Travis after the show. Photo: MediaMoments.com/ Peter Wine
As part of the opening set, Wilson and her “TV Boyz” performed “Hillbilly Rap,” which backed up what she told the audience later as she announced the high bidders in the raffle, “I hope you know how much of a difference you’re making, towards the research for Cystic Fybrosis. You know how important Dayton Children’s is to me…” asking later, “did I look silly?”
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Nancy Wilson, co-host of K99.1FM's Nancy & Kerrigan morning show performs "Hillbilly Rap" during the 12th annual Celebrity Concert for Charity at the Fraze Pavilion, Friday, August 14, 2009.
Photo: MediaMoments.com/ Peter Wine
Designed as light-hearted fun, there was an unexpected moment as Wilson diverted from the Hillbilly Rap to do a few seconds of Rapper’s Delight, causing a burst of applause from the crowd.
Later, while sitting in her seat as Travis performed, Wilson confessed that Travis was her “first country crush.” She said “the fact that people still appreciate his music, 20 years after his peak,” is part of why Travis is loved enough to enable this concert to be a sellout, even when “times are tough.”
Describing her ‘crush’ as a class act, Wilson went further to say that Travis is one of the classiest acts in country.
The night started with an opening song from Karaoke Hostess Debbie Howell, and a welcome by
Doug Fecher of Wright Patt Credit Union. Fecher explained that the reason we do this “is because we believe in Dayton, Ohio.”
Fecher introduced emcee and event founder John Condit, who said, “there will be more people in this facility tonight than ever before for the celebrity concert. Thank you Randy Travis, and thank you all for being here!”
After a reminder that he was going to keep the show on schedule, and an urging to the crowd to support the sponsors, “and let ‘em know you saw ‘em out here at the concert,” Condit pointed out several people of interest to the crowd.
After a brief history of the concert, Condit brought out Karaoke Host Tom Paul who performed his version of “Down in the Boondocks” in what could have been tux coat, with bright red shirt and tie.
WHIO radio morning show host (and voice of UD Flyers basketball) Larry Hansgen performs "Rocky Racoon" during the 12th annual Celebrity Concert for Charity at the Fraze Pavilion, Friday, August 14, 2009.
Photo: MediaMoments.com/ Peter Wine
Next, Larry Hansgen, host of the WHIO-AM morning show, and voice of UD Flyers basketball took to the stage wearing a Beatles t-shirt and performed “Rocky Racoon.”
It was the first time to attend a Randy Travis concert for Carla Leibroch of Kettering, who said that she likes a variety of music. Asked after the first few songs how she liked the show so far, she said “it’s really good.”
Leibrock says her favorite Travis song is “Forever and Ever, Amen” because “it’s always touched me.”
Not all here, though, spoke glowingly of Travis. A man who was outside the pavilion (in the merchandise and refreshment area) as Travis sang said he could do as well. Then went back to his beer.
Meanwhile, inside the pavilion, Travis, with his voice seemingly as booming as ever, sang on, and the crowd responded enthusiastically after each number.
The love coming from the stage was reflected back by Randy Travis from the beginning. During at least the first few songs, Travis would look around the audience and point, and wave as if he found a long lost cousin in the crowd. Perhaps they were people that he’d met here before. Perhaps folks he met tonight. Perhaps just someone that looked like they needed a hug, and it was the best he could do.
Brandon Harvey of Huber Heights performs a "Special Legend Tribute" during the 12th annual Celebrity Concert for Charity at the Fraze Pavilion, Friday, August 14, 2009.
Photo: MediaMoments.com/ Peter Wine
Speaking of love, Brandon Harvey of Huber Heights was on hand to offer his “Special Legend Tribute” to Michael Jackson and his music. Introduced by Condit as “an old country song… a real low key country song…” interupted by the crowd when Harvey appeared on stage obviously dressed as Jackson. Harvey’s performance included many of Jackson’s iconic moves, such as the single glove and a moonwalk that brought another burst of applause from the crowded pavilion.
And in a special presentation following remarks on behalf the Wright State University, Dr. David Hopkins was presented with a trio of balloons and a special rendition of “Happy Birthday,” though Hopkins had to correct Condit that it was not his 35th birthday, but his 39th.
All in all, it was a night of love, and appreciation, capped by a strong performance from Randy Travis, who showed that he still enjoys performing, and can still please an audience as well.
On the web:
MSlide Show - part 2 (More photos from the concert)
Our story about the final karaoke contest at Fricker's
Cystic Fybrosis, Greater Cincinnati Chapter, Dayton Office
12th annual Celebrity Concert for Charity info
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