This past Friday & Saturday, July 30 & 31, 2004, one of the greatest Legends Fest Shows appeared at Casino Magic in Bay St. Louis, Miss. Both night were sold out at 1600 per night. You would have had to been there to witness and feel the love of these fans for these artists. The following artists appeared both nights:

Ralph Emery-Host

Kitty Wells-Johnnie Wright & Bobby Wright

Little Jimmy Dickens

Bill Anderson

Lynn Anderson

Jerry Reed

From the minute the show began with the introduction of Ralph Emery as the host to the very end of the show, the response was truly as strong as I have ever seen at any of our Legends Fest. First of all let me thank Tessa Rogers, Entertainment Director of Casino Magic, for bringing the show to her venue, and to the President of the Casino, John Jagunich for believing in Tessa's choice of this show, especially when just 30 miles east in Biloxi, there were also 2 great nights of country music on a show being taped for GAC for later airing. I do not know how their show went, but I can tell you that Casino Magic was buzzing for 3 days, with all of the above giants of country music appearing.

As always, Ralph Emery is the dean of host, and well he should be, winning an Emmy Award for hosting Nashville Now. The reception given to Ralph lets all of us know how much he is missed and how much country music is also missed from television. He knows what is necessary to host Legends Fest and make it the success that it is today, by his knowledge of each of the artists' that are part of any Legends Fest show. Ralph introduced The Rose Garden lady, Lynn Anderson, and from the minute she stepped on stage both nights, we were off and running, and we never looked back. Lynn is one country musics' most complete entertainers and she proved why, each night at Casino Magic. She was at the top of her game. She looked great, sounded awesome, and with her opening of the show, the pace of the show was set to a volume of AWESOME. From her opening song Top Of The World, then Cry, Rose Garden and closing with Rocky Top,. she held the sold out audience in the palm of her hand. Before I forget, everyone of these artists were dressed the way the show was billed, Legends Fest, the Legends of Country Music. Rhinestones and beautiful colors for everyone, the glitz of real country music. What a great show from Lynn Anderson! Thanks Lynn.

Then came one of the most exciting moments of each night, when Ralph introduced the irst Family of Country Music-The Queen of Country Music, Miss Kitty Wells, her 90 year husband Johnnie Wright of the great country award winning duo, Johnnie and Jack, and their son, Bobby Wright, member of McHale's Navy TV show and a great career of his own, with several hit records. When Miss Kitty started to sing It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels, the audience went crazy. When the 3 of them finished their set with Ashes of Love (Johnnie & Jack hit), the crowd gave them a standing ovation. In case you don't know, Johnny, (who has had 2 hip replacements), comes onstage with a roller which has a seat that he sits on during the performance. What a great evening to see Miss Kitty and the family performing. Those in attendance realize that their were witnessing a great moment and they made sure that Kitty and family knew how much they were loved. And yes she is the true QUEEN OF COUNTRY MUSIC. Kitty, Johnnie and Bobby are still touring.

The next great legend Ralph introduced has as many awards writing as he does singing. Also a 40 year member of the Grand Ole Opry, Bill Anderson and his band were what entertainment is all about. The band all dressed alike, and Bill coming out in his rhinestone suit each night, sang the songs that left this audience, already having been treated to 2 super performances, in a state of awe of what they were listening to. When Bill finished his set with his monster hit of Still, he immediately knew how much his music has meant to country music, for all of these years, and he is still doing it as awesome as ever. Oh yes, he is one of he newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, member of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and I believe a member of the disc-jockey's Hall of Fame. He is Hall of Fame and he truly exemplifies what country music is and how much he has been so much a great part of the history of our music. Super show Bill.

Up to this point our audiences did not have time to take a breath. They all realized that they were a part of a great country music event, and they savored every moment of seeing and hearing these great legends who are still at the top of their game, both singing and entertaining. Is there a lesson here to be learned by the new country artists of today. I wish all new artists could have been able to be a part of this show and see how it is really done. The show continues, and Ralph Emery knows that the young man he is about to introduce is one of country musics' greatest treasures and one of its greatest entertainers. Ralph introduces Grand OIe Opry and Hall of Fame legend, Little Jimmy Dickens. The crowd ooh's and aah's when Jimmy comes onstage in his beautiful blue rhinestone suit, and starts singing. They know they are watching one of the greatest of the greats. Before he left the stage each night, he had a sold out audience laughing so hard from his timed jokes, and listening so intently to his timeless music, and hearing one of country music great ballad singers. Many times during this show, I truly felt bad that there was not more time for each of these legends to perform a little longer, but with so many legends a part of this show, the time constraints would not allow more time, but Little Jimmy Dickens left them wondering if it could get any better, and when he walked off stage he knew how much he meant to country music, because he had just given evidence of what it is to be a treasure to his fans, and all of our country music industry. Flash bulbs were going off like firecrackers all night long, and especially when the fans saw Jimmy's rhinestone loaded suit. You never cease to amaze me Mr. Dickens. The Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame are so lucky to have you as their ambassador for country music. Thank you Tater for an especially great evening of entertainment.

Well, the show was not completed yet. There was a change in bands, so Ralph had time to talk with the audience and tell some of his great jokes, which kept them laughing, especially with his Social Security and Viagra jokes. He knows what is happening every minute of every show, and there are no dead spots when Ralph Emery is hosting any country music show. His knowledge of our music is considered to be the highest level of the entire industry. There are times when I introduce him that I call him The Moses of Country Music. I don't think he always likes that, but my friends, Ralph Emery is like Moses to country music. He has meant so much to so many for so long, from his early days as a disc-jockey to his hosting of Nashville Now, and then On The Record. I wonder out loud where country music could be today if Ralph would host another television variety show.

At this time of the show, the stage has gone completely dark, with the exception of the spotlight on Ralph entertaining the fans. Ralph knows what is going to take place, but the audience does not. Ralph does not waste any time in introducing the final artist of this already great evening. With the sound of the guitar telling him it is time, he tells the audience, Ladies and Gentlemen, this young man is considered the greatest guitar player of all time by his peers and one of country musics' great entertainers, please make welcome Jerry Reed. With that, Jerry is already seated on stage with his band and they start his show with Amos Moses. Then it is not stop for Jerry and the audience. His guitar rendition of Star & Stripes, brought the crowd to its' feet, then he had them rolling in the aisles with his great hit record of When Your Hot Your Hot, which if you have never seen Jerry and the band perform this song, then I cannot tell you how funny it is, and when he finished his show with East Bound and Down, the lights in the house went up, and they were all standing. They knew that they had just been entertained by a movie star, a TV star, a recording star, and as Ralph said, considered to be the greatest guitar player of all time. Jerry Reed left the stage as happy as I ever seen him.

That completes the show, and then the artists' went to the back of the venue to meet their fans, sign autographs and sell their merchandise, and they were there until each and every person had left the showroom.

I can tell you that backstage is probably one of the greatest times of all. These artists don't see each other for long periods of time, so they catch up with stories of the past, new jokes, having a bite to eat together, enjoying their time together. Reed and Dickens set time to go fishing together. I just sit there in amazement and listen to stories of Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Chet Atkins, and on and on. I feel so honored and privileged that they have let me into their special world. I must tell you this because it is one of the most important aspects of these legends. Most of them went throughout the casino both days, either to eat, play blackjack or the slots, and just mingle. There were no security guards with them, and they took every handshake, and spoke with each of the fans that either stopped to say hello, get an autograph, or just say hello. I wish that there was more of that done in today's country music. I can tell you the fans were in an excitement mode from the time they arrived at the casino, until they checked out.

I want to make sure that I pay compliments to Bill Andersons' great band, the Po Folks Band. Les Singer, leader of the band, Cotton Payne, Mike Toppins, James Freeze, Ziggy Johnson, and Kenzie Wenz were a major part of the reason why this show was such a success. Without a great band like this, no show is successful. It was just like a mini-Grand Ole Opry. The band made each artists comfortable by making their music just like their original record. My hats off to this great band, and I know how proud their boss man Bill Anderson is of his band. Thanks for an awesome job.

Once again, thanks to Tessa Rogers and her staff at Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Ms., for having the Legends of Country Music at their showroom. Thanks for the 10 Star hospitality and the great production people and just everyone at Casino Magic.

Marty Martel, Pres., MSP Inc.