THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 4, 1996 TAG: 9610020115
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 69 lines
The Virginia Country Music Association will recognize local country talent, pay homage to the founder of the Grand Ole Opry and bring in classic country performer/songwriter ``Whispering'' Bill Anderson on Monday.
All of that has Greenbrier resident Keith Ward excited.
Ward is an avid country music fan who has been president of the VCMA for eight years. He's up for its presidency again this year and currently is chairman of Monday's 18th annual George D. Hay Awards Show and Concert, taking place in Norfolk.
The show is named for the founder of the Grand Ole Opry, who came to Hampton Roads to live because his daughter was a professor at Old Dominion University. He died here and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk.
Each year, the VCMA honors the memory of Hay by holding a ceremony at his grave, Ward said. The tradition will continue with a service late Monday morning conducted by the Rev. Lamar Sentell of the Cavalry Temple in Norfolk. Ward said even Anderson plans to be at Hay's graveside for the service.
Later that night, the mood will turn from somber to struttin' when the society honors his memory once again by doing what Hay loved best, enjoying some real country music at the hands of longtime country crooner/songwriter Anderson and laud some of the area's local talent.
``It's just like those Nashville awards,'' Ward said. ``But we honor local talent, and I think our awards are prettier. We're here to promote the organization, country music and honor Mr. Hay - that's what it's all about.''
After the awards, Ward said the VCMA will present Anderson with an honorary lifetime membership and then let him and The Po Folks Band do their thing.
``We're right fortunate to get him, let me tell you,'' Ward said. ``He's a class act.''
Anderson, who's been hosting the Nashville Network's game show ``Fandango'' and co-producing TNN's ``You Can Be A Star,'' was cited in Billboard magazine's 100th anniversary issue as either performing or writing four of the all- time top 20 songs in country music history. He wrote ``City Lights'' for Ray Price and ``Once A Day'' for Connie Smith and performed ``Still'' and ``Mama Sang a Song.''
In addition, the South Carolina native has written such hit tunes as Vince Gill's ``Which Bridge to Cross (Which Bridge to Burn),'' Steve Wariner's ``Tips of My Fingers,'' Lefty Frizzell's ``Saginaw, Michigan'' and the late Roger Miller's ``When Two World Collide.''
Along with his performing and writing abilities Anderson is also a network soap opera star, spokesman for a nationwide chain restaurant and best-selling author. But he's returned to his song-writing duties and has churned out recent hits for a host of current country stars.
``In the past we've had people like Ray Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Johnnie PayCheck, Jimmy Dickens and Hank Thompson, just to name a few,'' Ward said. ``Our aim is to promote and support local talent and country music in general.''
Ward, who has won the association's Pioneer Award for his work in promoting country music, said he's no musician himself.
``Unfortunately I don't play it,'' he said. ``But I do love it. That's for sure.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
AT A GLANCE
What: The Virginia Country Music Association's annual George D.
Hay Awards Show, featuring ``Whispering'' Bill Anderson and The Po'
Folks Band and The John Nelson Band.
When: Monday. Doors open at 6. Awards presentation at 7 and the
concert begins at 8 p.m.
Where: The Banque, 1849 E. Little Creek Road, Norfolk.
Cost: Tickets are $15 and can be obtained at all Ticketmaster
outlets. A buffet dinner will be available for an extra charge.
Call: 547-4332. by CNB