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by Sue Orsen We drove south through April showers, visiting eight states and many late greats. Sunshine and good fortune led us to halls and walls of fame that featured, among others, the late great Merle Haggard and the late great Mother Angelica, both of whom died shortly before we arrived. That was not our good fortune, but perhaps theirs. It's not coincidental that Sirius XM radio in my car is keyed in for immediate touch access to classic country music on Willie's Roadhouse, the Catholic faith channel of EWTN, and the mellow mesmerizing voice of Elvis Radio. Elvis died long ago at age 42. Mother Angelica died on Easter Sunday, March 27th, 2016, three weeks before her 93rd birthday. Merle Haggard died on April 6th, 2016, the day of his 79th birthday. We left Victoria on Friday, April 8th, as the grass was greening. We had tickets to a Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard Concert on April 9th. We didn't plan to see Mother Angelica, who had been incapacitated for several years, but being at the home of a living saint had crossed my mind. As for Elvis, he seems to be alive wherever we go. *** The Willie Nelson sans Merle Haggard Concert at the Peabody Auditorium in St. Louis started at 7:30 p.m. A motley crew of musicians entertained as we awaited Willie's arrival. At 9:30 p.m. lights went out and the stage was undressed as though the concert was over. We assumed Willie was also to be a no-show, since he most likely was in California that day for the funeral of his friend. We learned, however, that although many in the audience were leaving their seats, they were not leaving the building. They were simply refilling their refreshments, the alcoholic variety, being sold in the lobby. We were surprised it was allowed at the concert. About a half hour later still, Willie walked onto the stage to an uproar and standing ovation, including from us. Country stars have their audience. It was now 10 p.m. Willie's only personal words to his captive audience were, "Hi. How are ya?" In other words, we didn't get to connect with him. It was a stage of loud dueling guitars, a fiddle, a harmonica, and drums. Willie "talked" rather than sang half the lyrics -- whether from lack of energy, lack of effort, or a new tactic, I don't know. He's better on Sirius XM. Willie's last piece was, "I'll Fly Away." Then he took off his mic, walked to the edge of the stage, and autographed paraphernalia that was thrust in his direction from fans. We caught a cab at 11:30 p.m. to the Drury, happy to be "back home" before midnight. After Sunday morning Mass, brunch, and a delightful visit with our friend Father Bernardine Hahn at the St. Anthony of Padua Friary, we left for Nashville. A fun part of Nashville was Music Row, where budding musicians sang their hearts out to anyone who would listen, but my favorite place was the Country Music Hall of Fame. This museum was like walking through my childhood, and I again got to watch and hear Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, then through my college years when I liked Eddy Arnold and Glenn Campbell, and up through my adult life with Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, and the list goes on. Seems from our travels that much of the world leans with me, with them, the late greats.
The rest of the story is in the paper edition of the Gazette. Click here for the entire array of trip photos in Sue’s Album. |
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May 2016 |
