THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 19, 1995 TAG: 9501190042
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
MERLE HAGGARD sings about the workin' man. Jesse Hunter sings about the workin' woman, particularly truck stop waitresses - specifically ``Long Legged Hannah From Butte, Montana.''
The video version went No. 1 on Country Music Television and on the dance charts.
The single singer dated the actress portraying the waitress for awhile - nothing serious, he vows.
``I don't know how some of my friends do it,'' Hunter said during an interview from his Nashville home. ``They hold a family, keep it going and still have so much energy.''
He promises an energy-filled show tonight at Country Legends in the Virginia Beach club's first venture into name acts.
``The show's very energetic. I move more than most people. I hit strong,'' the 35-year-old singer said. ``I'm very visual and very emotional. I don't believe in holding back.''
He does believe in patience.
``I've been at it 16 years. When I first got my bus, I'd pull up in a restaurant parking lot and people would say, `Who's bus is that?' I'd say, `Jesse Hunter's.' They'd ask me, `What do you play?' ''
He plays guitar, ``tons of harmonica'' and does plenty of writing.
He wrote and co-wrote seven of the nine songs on his album, ``A Man Like Me.''
The man is now busy writing for his next release. He will be in the studio next month.
``I like songs that help show what I can really do. My preference is a good three-quarter-time waltz,'' Hunter said. ``Two of my favorite songs are `Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You' and `Amanda.' They're classics and good waltzes.''
The latter song was popularized by several singers, including Waylon Jennings, who, Hunter said, ``taught me to not take myself seriously. You can't. I'm fortunate to be doing something I enjoy doing. But it's a great responsibility. Much of my next five years will be devoted solely to my music. I have to set my priorities.''
Horses were atop the priority list. ``I was on a horse before I could walk. They've always been a very big part of my life,'' said Hunter, who shows and trains horses and has won more than 100 awards as a horseman on various circuits.
The Memphis circuit is where the singer got his professional music start.
``In the clubs I played in, we'd have to compete against R&B and rock 'n' roll bands,'' Hunter said. ``We had to put an edge on what we were doing so we could survive.
``Even though my heart is still very traditional country, when I get ready to sing or perform, it comes out with a lot of drive to it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by JIM McGUIRE, BNA Entertainment
Jesse Hunter will be the first big-name act to perform at Country
Legends nightclub in Virginia Beach.
CONCERT FACTS
Who: Jesse Hunter with opening act Midnight Ryder
When: 9 tonight
Where: Country Legends, 1479 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach
How much: $4.97 in advance, $6 at the door, available from
Ticketmaster
Call: 428-0139
by CNB