Country Western Fans Ignore Rains
Probably the only thing not dampened by the rain last night at the Allentown Fair was the enthusiasm displayed by patrons of the two grandstand shows.
Paid attendance for the mixed bag of country and western music, headlined by former Arkansas cotton picker Charlie Rich, amounted to $54,273 - $33,499 for the first show and $20,794 for the second, the highest figure so far this year for grandstand shows.
“This is a terrific turnout, considering the weather,” said Ed Leidig, president-general manager of the fair. “In fact, this would be a good turnout even if it wasn’t raining.”
Both the 6 and 9 o’clock shows were delayed by the rains, that ranged from mild drizzles to all-out downpours. The first show got under way a half-hour late. The second show was about an hour late.
Although billed as a country music show, the styles and music ranged from pure hill-billy through rock and roll to traditional ballad.
The silvered-haired Rich, who looked somewhat like a Nashville version of Liberace as he sat at the piano, was backed by a very versatile and talented British singer, Olivia Newton-John, and a group known as Brush Arbor.
Rich, who was named best male singer of 1973 by the Country Music Association, was backed by a large group which included a brass section not exactly traditional country music backing.
After singing a couple of his hits, including his “Behind Closed Doors,” which took Album of the Year and Song of the Year awards, Rich turned over the singing to his group. Maybe it was because the shows were running so late, but he really didn’t perform all that much. Though what he did was very enthsiastically received by the somewhat damp and chilled crowd.
His style ranged from soft ballads to singing-through-the-nose hillbilly. Some country type rock and roll was thrown in where Rich swung into a couple of dance steps. He is definitely no Elvis Presley in the dancing department.
Perhaps his best showing was when he sat at the piano and sang his slower numbers. He was very easy to understand on these numbers. But, with the rain and a somewhat distorted sound system, it was very difficult to catch the faster music.
The huge amplification system was covered with plastic sheets to protect it from the rain during Rich’s portion of the show. The sophisticated equipment stopped dead several times early in the show.
But, regardless of rain, muffled amplification system, or the brevity of his performance, Rich could do no wrong as far as the crowd was concerned. It was easy to see he was the reason there was a crowd.
The performance by Olivia Newton-John was a real bonus to the show and, in the opinion of some, the best part.
Although chosen as the most promising female vocalist at the Country Music Awards recently, her music was anything but country and western.
Her singing of “Honey, You’re Driving Me Crazy!” sounded straight out of the Roaring Twenties and conjured up visions of F. Scott Fitzgerald, flappers and slickers, John Held cartoons and Stutz Bearcats.
Her backup group displayed a knowledge of music and played other than chords.
Her British articulation made her singing very easy to understand. You could actually hear and understand what she was singing. Unfortunately, this ability to understand was not among the highlights of the rest of the show.</strong>
Fair schedule
9.a.m.-4-H and Future Farmers of America swine judging, open class.
1 p.m. Allentown Romper Day. Lipizzan Stallions.
2 p.m. Potato-picking contest, goat milking at Farmerama.
6 p.m. Potato-picking finals, grange talent at Farmerama.
6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Charlie Rich, Olivia Newton-John, Brush Arbor Band Show.