THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 18, 1994 TAG: 9409160216
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Frank Roberts
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
It happened so fast, I can't remember the questions he asked or the answers I gave. The only thing I remember is that I gave intelligent answers.
Yeah, I can say that now. But when I watch the Oct. 8 special on ABC-TV, it will probably be cringe time: Is that what I said? Do I look like that? Couldn't they have replaced this with a commercial?
The question-answer session took place last Sunday on the Fifth Street Main Stage, Virginia Beach Oceanfront, following the Sept. 3 concert-on-the-sand, where Billy Ray Cyrus was a headliner for the city's Labor Day weekend music festival.
It was a table-turning affair - Cyrus interviewing the interviewer.
I, the interviewer - usually - have conducted several question-answer sessions with Mr. Achy Breaky, reviewed him several times, met him several times.
In spite of one put-down review - the rest were quite upbeat - we have (brag, brag) become fairly good friends.
Billy Ray - see? First-name basis - called me two days before the concert to tell me that part of his ABC special will include scenes from the wild 'n' woolly Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
He asked if he could interview me for the program to discuss the goings-on. Being the gregarious guy I am, I generously consented.
I wasn't at the office for his initial call. Our editorial assistant, Shirley Brinkley, spoke to him, squealing like a love-smitten teener afterward. She was impressed when he asked her name and told her to have a good day.
That Sunday was a good day. Skies were clear, there was some wind, but BRC fans showed up en masse. Guesstimates have the figure at about 12,000 - not too shabby for someone not high on the charts at the moment.
A new Cyrus album is scheduled to be released on my birthday, Nov. 8. Talk about being close. Hopefully, a song from that effort will put him back in the Top 10.
No matter, his fans enjoy being with him. Billy Ray remains a powerful showbiz figure.
He pulled record crowds at all the locales that will be featured on the ABC special he is producing - 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.''
That is more than a public relations statement.
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 disabled children and adults.
I saw that Dec. 4 at Hampton Coliseum where a backstage room was packed with those fans.
One little girl I remember 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 not spent. It was framed and hangs in Miranda's room.
BRC had a room on the fourth floor of the Clarion following the Beach concert, a few feet from where he entertained. After the show he stepped out on the balcony, then onto a 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 endured a four-hour drive 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 sweat: ``I saw his chest hairs and sweat.''
Vanessa Clemons of Virginia Beach, a 31-year-old enthusiast, skipped a dollar-earning double shift at Gibbs Billiards on Witchduck, 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. Viewing time
will be announced later.
ILLUSTRATION: Billy Ray Cyrus
Frank's pal
by CNB