THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 11, 1994 TAG: 9409090293
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS
STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
It happened so fast, I can't remember the questions he asked. The only thing I remember is that I gave intelligent answers.
Yeah, I can say that now, but when I watch it on television, I'll probably cringe: Is that what I said? Do I look like that? Couldn't they have replaced this with a commercial?
The question-and-answer session took place Sunday, after the big concert at the American Music Festival on the oceanfront. It was a table-turning affair - Billy Ray Cyrus interviewing the interviewee.
I've interviewed Mr. Achy Breaky, reviewed him several times and met him several times. In spite of one put-down review - the rest were quite upbeat - we have become fairly good friends. Brag, brag.
Billy Ray - see? First name basis - called me Thursday to tell me that part of his ABC special (to be broadcast Oct. 8) would include scenes from the wild 'n wooly Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
He asked if he could interview me for the program to discuss the event. Being the gregarious guy I am, I generously consented.
Sunday was a good day. Skies were clear, there was some wind, but BRC fans showed up en masse. Estimates have the figure at about 12,000 - not too shabby for someone not high on the charts at the moment.
No matter, his fans enjoy being with him. Billy Ray remains a powerful showbiz figure.
He pulled record crowds at all the locales featured on the ABC special: Boston; Kansas City; Huntington, W.Va.; Ames, Iowa; an Indian reservation on the rim of the Grand Canyon and, of course, The Beach.
``I've been after ABC to film at Virginia Beach,'' he said. ``I love the area, and I love the people.''
One of the nicest things about BRC - not publicized at his own request - is the great amount of time he spends with mentally and physically handicapped children and adults.
I saw that Dec. 4 at Hampton Coliseum, where a backstage room was packed with those fans.
One little girl returned for the Beach concert Sunday. Miranda Terry, 11, a sweet Hampton youngster has cerebral palsy. Her dad, Hurley, takes her anywhere, within reason, to see her idol.
He told me what happened when Miranda and Billy Ray met at the Coliseum: ``After they talked he shook her hand, then left. He had put a $100 bill in her hand.''
The money was framed and hangs in Miranda's room.
BRC had a room on the fourth floor of the Clarion Beach Resort Sunday, just a few feet from the concert stage. After the show he stepped out on the balcony, then onto a teeny ledge to cavort with his fans who happened to see him.
He is a security guard's worst nightmare. After the concert, instead of going directly to the hotel, he stepped onto the sand to talk to his fan friends.
Ashley Hubbard, a 10-year-old whose mom drove four hours from Chatham, said the trip was worthwhile. ``I took a picture of his sweat.''
Karina Morilla, a 13-year-old Virginia Beach fan, was equally enthused about the Cyrus slick: ``I saw his chest hairs and sweat.''
Vanessa Clemons of Virginia Beach, 31, skipped a dollar-earning double shift at Gibbs Billiards to see Billy Ray. ``No way was I going to work.''
Some things are more important than money. MEMO: The Billy Ray Cyrus Special will be shown Oct. 8 on ABC-TV. The time
will be announced later.
by CNB