THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 11, 1995 TAG: 9511110539
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B01 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BELVIDERE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
Wolfman Jack was in the business of making listeners happy.
That's how his family remembered him Friday, as they unveiled plans for an ambitious blues park and museum to honor the legendary disc jockey, who died July 1 at his estate in this small Perquimans County community.
Slated to open next summer, the park will feature a 5,000 to 7,500-seat amphitheatre and a Hall of Fame museum that will pay tribute to the legends of the music world, all told from the Wolfman's perspective.
Wolfman's son, 32-year-old concert producer Tod Smith, and Los Angeles-based promoter Steve Baldwin began talking about the idea of a blues park shortly after the Wolfman's death. Smith said Friday he thinks a huge amphitheater will not only survive but thrive in this rural community.
``The Wolf loved all kinds of music, not just the nostalgia groups of rock n' roll,'' Smith said. ``The Hall of Fame will feature Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley. But blues was his first love. And he loved country music, too. This is going to tell the story of all these types of music through his eyes. This will focus on Wolfman and his view of this.''
Baldwin, who has helped promote championship boxing and tennis matches as well as concerts, says Belvidere is the perfect place for the blues park, which could seat about 25 times the population of this town of about 300 people.
Smith said he has already met with Chamber of Commerce and government officials in Perquimans County.
``We're going to involve the community in this,'' Smith said. ``This is our home, and we wouldn't do anything or bring anyone in here who would damage the community. I have to protect my mother. We want to give something back to this community.''
Sandra Williams Smith, manager of the Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce, is upbeat about the planned park, which will cost an estimated $300,000.
``We're excited,'' she said. ``Tod has met with the chamber and with the board of commissioners twice, and has done a lot to answer some of the concerns. There are still some things that need to be worked out. But I think it can be done.''
Smith said the family will do all it can to ease concerns about noise and traffic.
``We want this to be a family-oriented park,'' he said. ``We don't want to do anything to disturb the situation we have here.''
Wolfman's widow, Belvidere native Lou Smith, said her late husband would like the idea.
``I think he would love it,'' she said. ``When we came back here from Beverly Hills, Wolfman wanted to have a recording studio set up here so that local acts who wanted to get a foot in the door would have a chance. There are a lot of acts that never get a chance to be heard because they're not in L.A. or New York. This is our chance to say thank you.''
She added that the new park would provide much-needed jobs for the area.
``People will feel his presence,'' Smith said. ``The things that Wolfman loved will be here.''
The park will feature festival seating and a New Orleans-style stage. The entire complex will be on 30 acres of this 80-acre estate.
But beyond the music, there will be the memory of the Wolfman.
Born Robert Weston Smith in Brooklyn, Wolfman Jack began his radio career in 1960 at WYOU (now WAFX) in Newport News, and later was known as Daddy Jules on WTID in Norfolk. He was best known as host of the NBC television show, ``The Midnight Special,'' and for his role in the George Lucas film ``American Graffiti.''
His soulful sandpaper voice was an inspiration to a generation of disc jockeys. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
DREW C. WILSON photos/The Virginian-Pilot
Wolfman Jack's son Tod Smith, left, his widow, Lou Smith, and
daughter Joy Jack have proposed building a music park and Hall of
Fame museum in Belvidere, N.C. The complex would help promote local
acts.
[Color Drawing]
The Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce is upbeat about the
planned park, which will cost an estimated $300,000 and provide jobs
for the area.
by CNB