I was never a huge fan of country music. Sure, I liked the crossover hits by Garth Brooks and Shania Twain and “Achy Breaky Heart,” but overall I was never a diehard fan. I was more into Elton John and Billy Joel growing up. Then in 1983, “God Bless the USA” became a crossover hit and I added Lee Greenwood to my list of favorite country singers.
In the mid-’90s, I was visiting my college friend, who was living in Chicago at the time. I remember going to an Irish Pub on St. Patrick’s Day and, while waiting for a drink, I started to chat with a fellow customer. He mentioned that his name was something Greenwood and I jokingly said, “Any relation to Lee Greenwood?” and he said, “Yeah he’s my dad.” I told him I closed my cabaret show with “God Bless the USA,” and he said, “Well, thank you for the five cents in royalties that my dad got from that.”
That being said, the Palace Theatre is proud to present Lee Greenwood on the main stage on Sept. 30. Country shows are usually sell-outs at the Palace, so make sure you get your tickets early for that show. ABC Supply Company and Jim and Barb Greetham sponsor Lee Greenwood’s show.
September also brings music and more to the May Pavilion. Dr. Al and Ingrid May are sponsoring a classical concert featuring an ensemble from the Central Ohio Symphony out of Delaware. “Mainly Mozart Moments” will be presented at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 11.
For lovers of James Taylor, Jimmy Buffet, and sing-along classic rock, Parsons and Polk, a Cleveland-area guitar/vocal duo, will be performing in the May Pavilion at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 24, sponsored by Mike and Kelly Andrews. I went to college and performed at Cedar Point with Dan Polk, so he may even pull me up on stage for a duet or two, for old-time’s sake.
So, whether you like country, classical or classic rock, you will find a home at the Palace Theatre in September. Our box office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday except Wednesday. Visit our website at marionpalace.org.
Kirk Detweiler is the executive director of the Marion Palace Theatre. For more information about theatre events and activities, go to marionpalace.org.
