|
|
Porter Wagoner When Senator Hoffmann learned of the great line-up of legendary Country Music Singers to be featured at the Country Music Legends Concert at Cole Muffler Court, she made sure that Governor Pataki issued a proclamation proclaiming the day as "Country Music Legends Day". Unable to read the proclamation himself because of scheduling commitments, Governor Pataki asked Senator Hoffmann to do so on his behalf. The concert featured Little Jimmy Dickens, Jean Shepard, Ralph Emery, John Conlee and Porter Wagoner. |
|
Senator Hoffmann and Bob Gibbons, the "Voice of the Great New York State Fair", who introduced her to read the proclamation. |
|
Radio/television star and best selling author, Ralph Emery accepted the proclamation on behalf of the performers. The two bantered at the start of the show about cows, bulls and vegetables because she Chairs the Agriculture Committee. Emery asked if she could help him "grow better tomatoes". |
Over 5,000 people crowded into Cole Muffler Court for the Legends of Country Music Show. |
|
(l-r)Marty Martel, President of Midnight Special Productions; Michael Pool; Senator Hoffmann; Ralph Emery pose backstage at Country Music Legends Day at the opening day of the New York State Fair. Marty Martel, president of Midnight Special Productions and the driving force behind the Country Legends Fest, recently sent Senator Hoffmann an email letter expressing his gratitude to the Senator for reading the proclamation and attending the Country Legends Fest show. Below is a copy of the email letter Mr. Martel sent to the Senator. Visit his Country Legends Fest web site for more information about the Country Legends Fest. Senator Hoffmann, This email is to let you know how much each artists appearing at the New York State Fair on opening day, appreciates their certificate of being part of Legends Fest Day at the fair. We especially want to thank you for participating in this acknowledgement of these great artists, and I wish to personally thank you for attending the show for the presentation, and then returning to enjoy part of the show. I sincerely hope we will return to the fair again, hopefully in 2004, and that you will once again be apart of the festivities. I have visited your websites and they are both impressive. I must tell you that you are one of the most attractive people in politics that I have been privileged to meet and I mean that as a compliment. The hat did not do you justice but the heat was a little rough. We all hope that you enjoyed the Legends Fest Show as much as we enjoyed being able to come to the fair for the country music fans and there were many. Hopefully the next time, should there be one, the Governor will be able to attend. Please extend our sincere gratitude to him for allowing August 21st, 2003 to be proclaimed Legends Fest Day and each of us sincerely thank you for being there. I will look foward to hearing from you when you might have some pictures online. New York State is fortunate to have you as one of their senators. Continued success to you and if there is anything you need in the way of country music, please do not hesitate to call me. Sincerely, Marty Martel |
Little Jimmy Dickens "The Treasure of Country Music", with Senator Hoffmann. "Tater", as he is called by his peers and friends, became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1948 and he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983. |
(l-r)Jean Shepard, the first women in country music to sell a million records; Senator Hoffmann, and Eva Hoffmann backstage at Cole Muffler Court. |
Porter Wagoner shows off his I LOVE NY t-shirt. Longtime Country DJ Fred Lewis was at the Country Music Legends Show. He shared his thoughts with Senator Hoffmann in the following e-mail; First of all it was a great pleasure and honor to be involved with the show, and then to be able to introduce the legend of all emcees, Mr Ralph Emery. Then to be able to stand on the side lines and watch the show from behind the scenes. I was able to interview John Conlee a couple of days before the show on the radio station W.S.C.P. John used to be a DJ so he was real easy to talk to. He told me he would cut some station breaks,(which are I.D.'s) and he followed thru and gave them to me at the show. John is known as the common man in country music, and that is totally how he comes across, and on top of that he is so talented. The second artist was Jean Shepard, what a lady, and what a talent. I have been playing her records since the 50's and she sings as well today as she did then. She has a way of holding her hand behind her back to keep time with the band, next time you see her you can watch for that. If you ever want to know what she thinks about Country Music, all you have to do is ask her and she will make it very clear. Little Jimmy Dickens was next, and yes he is little but what a legend of his time. He told jokes that I have heard for 40 years and still I laugh at each and every one of them. I've been a fan of his since his first recording on Capital Records, which took place at least 50 years ago. As a matter of fact he told the audience that the next song he was going to sing was on his last C.D. recorded in 1963, some people didn't get it, but to me it was Little Jimmy Dickens in true form. When he brought Raggedy Ann out on stage and recited the song, there were lot of wet eyes in the audience, that shows you are a true performer when you can reach people like that. Last, but not least Porter Wagoner, the tall slim man from West Plains Mo. He wore a I LOVE NY T-SHIRT, under his Purple Nudies Suit especially made for him, how appropriate when Senator Hoffmann saw him and for sure wanted a picture of him and her, showing his love for New York. I've been a fan of Porter's since Satisfied Mind, a #1 record for him, and then when he teamed up with Dolly Parton, there was no way of keeping them off the top of the charts. He had the longest running syndicated T.V. show of all the country shows. He is definitely a crowd pleaser, he may not be much to look at, as he will tell you, but he know how to entertain a audience. What a treat that he had Penny Dehaven as his girl singer with him, you might remember Penny with her hit of Down in the Boon Docks, in the country field. This show was a true symbol of the Grand Ole Opry, from the day the Opry was introduced in 1926. I sure hope that the Legends will continue being represented by our Fair next year. There is a lot more that I can say, but I'm sure the web page isn't that long. P.S. Sure was a privilege to meet face to face with Nancy Larraine Hoffmann, she is also a great asset to New York and Country Music. Fred Lewis W.S.C.P Radio, 101.7, & 101.3FM & 1070AM |