Friday - 22 Jan/16

The storm came in right on schedule at 10 a.m. with a tremendously loud clap of thunder.

The rain was a deluge falling at the rate of over 8" an hour. The good news is that it rode through so fast we only were exposed to that rate for a few minutes then it levelled off. There was a small tornado touchdown in an uninhabited area near the coast posing no real problems.

The TV coverage, by the minute, was right on track - by the minute.

We just relaxed today. Charlotte made a great spaghetti sauce for an early supper...mmm good!

The early supper was because we were going to the Orange Blossom Opry for the Gary Lewis and the Playboys concert. With 8 Gold Singles, 17 Top 40 Hits, 4 Gold Albums, and 45 Million records sold worldwide, The increased interest in the 60's has made Gary Lewis and the Playboys one of the hottest acts once again. He was the first and only artist during the 1960's to have his first seven releases reach Billboard magazine's Top 10 on the Hot 100 chart. They even knocked the Beatles off the top of the charts and took the 1965 Cash Box "Magazine's Male Vocalist of the Year" beating out both Elvis and Frank Sinatra.

Luckily, the group flew out just ahead of the "Storm of the Century". An upcoming act scheduled here had to be cancelled as the group not only couldn't get out of Nashville - their appearance tonight in Nashville at the original "Opry" (Ryman Auditorium) was cancelled due to the weather.

The Opry Band opened show at 7:30 p.m.

The Opry Band members are all excellent musicians with a wide range of instruments and songs to match. They have all opened or played with a "Who's Who" of the music entertainment scene. Their half hour, filled with a wide variety of classics, was thoroughly enjoyable and went by too fast.

Gary Lewis and The Playboys did not disappoint.  They played many of their top hits "This Diamond Ring, Count Me In, Save Your Heart For Me, Everybody Loves A Clown, She's Just My Style, Sure Gonna Miss Her" and several Rock 'n Roll classics from the 60's. Gary's easy manner and rapport with the audience made the evening fly by. They even played a new song (internet release only) "You Can't Go Back" which was written by Gary Lewis and guitarist Nick Rather.

The Opry is an excellent venue. The small size sure beats being in "nose-bleed" seats in large arenas. The sound is great and even the seats at the back seem close. We are looking forward to next week's concert here (The Drifters).

Of special note: Jerry Lewis, Gary's father, is playing tonight at a venue in The Villages. I bet they get together tonight!

Second note: Our grandson, Marty (with mom and dad in-tow), is playing in a hockey tournament in Lake Placid, NY. He is a goalie. He took 2nd in the skills and his team has a tie and a win so far. Next game at 6:10 a.m. in the Olympic Arena. Good Luck, Guys!

That's it for today.