THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, May 22, 1995 TAG: 9505220062
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER O'DONNEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
The city's annual three-day Jubilee ended on a strong note Sunday night when Willie Nelson, one of country music's most prolific and charismatic entertainers, took the stage.
Nelson, the event's headline entertainment, drew a huge crowd, possibly the biggest since the event began 13 years ago.
``I've been to all the Jubilees,'' said Steve Manning, one of the event's vendors. ``But I've never seen a crowd like this. Willie really brought them in.''
Many in the crowd came from out of state to attend the free concert.
``I came just to see Nelson,'' said Bill Kerwood of Pensacola, Fla. Kerwood attended the concert with his mother and sister, both area residents.
Jubilee organizers were not surprised to see so many fans from outside the area.
``We had people calling from several states asking for directions to Chesapeake and information on where to stay,'' said Steve Best, public relations coordinator of the event.
But most of the fans came from Chesapeake and neighboring cities. Some arrived early with blankets, lawn chairs and coolers to claim their spots in front of the main stage.
Sharon Edwards of Virginia Beach, along with 10 friends, sat for hours in the sun to get a good view of the legendary country singer.
``We've been waiting for this concert ever since we heard about it,'' Edwards said. ``We just can't believe we're seeing Willie Nelson for free.''
Nelson was a few minutes late when he walked out on stage.
Wearing his standard concert apparel, a sleeveless black T-shirt, jeans and a red bandana, he went unnoticed for several seconds. Then, without a word to the audience, he opened with one of his signature songs, ``Whiskey River,'' followed by ``Stay a Little Longer,'' ``Good-Hearted Woman,'' and ``Crazy,'' a song he wrote, but which Patsy Cline made famous.
The crowd greeted him with cheers, whistles and chants of ``We love you, Willie.''
Although some fans came to hear his latest hits from the ``Across the Borderline'' CD, most were waiting for old favorites.
``He better play `Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,' '' said Dorothy Wessling, a long-time fan. ``I've been listening to Willie sing since the early '60s. My aunt used to play in the same bar he did. She didn't make it, but he sure did.''
The audience was a mix of young and old, and the concert proved to be a family event for many.
Joyce Burd brought her 12-year-old daughter, Sarah, and they managed to secure front-row spots.
``I've been a fan since I was born,'' Sarah said. ``We used to live in Houston, and Willie is also from Texas.''
Her mother added that she wanted to see Nelson partly out of gratitude.
``My family are farmers, and I really appreciate all he's done with Farm Aid,'' she said of Nelson's nonprofit fund-raising campaign to distribute educational, legal and emergency help to farmers. Nelson is president and chairman of the organization.
But some fans came just to see a legendary performer sing his greatest hits.
``He's always been around,'' said Dave Dewitt of Chesapeake. ``He's a legend, and you just have to see him once.'' MEMO: [For related photos and column, see page B1 for this date.]
KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE JUBLIEE by CNB