Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 2, 1993 TAG: 9302020266
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KATHLEEN WILSON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
THIS NIGHT WAS REALLY ON THE ROPES
It had been billed as one of this area's very best parties. More than 1,600 were expected to attend the Musicmakers Ball to enjoy everything from big band to rock and country.So when the parking lot at the Roanoke Civic Center was jam-packed, it didn't surprise me.
And when the crowd milling around outside the arena was wearing denim and buying popcorn, I just figured this was one of those casual, fun-for-all-ages things.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered two men wearing skin-tight lime-green leotards yelling, "Shut yo' mouth!" to the audience.
Yes, a funny thing happened on the way to the ball. I wound up at World Championship Wrestling.
I stayed long enough to watch the bout between the green-clad Wrecking Crew and a couple of guys who looked a whole lot like what I guess Billy Ray Cyrus looks like without many clothes on.
"I've been a wrestling fan since I was 3 years old," said Shirley Tanner, who's now 33.
Up close, you can see these guys are trying hard not to smile. Believing in all that pro wrestling hoopla is a phase of childhood I missed.
Bruno Samartino, a former pro wrestling icon, went to my church when I was about 6.
Watching him on Sundays with his own children took away some of the belief that he could really pummel anyone.
But at the Roanoke Civic Center, one little blonde girl sitting in her father's lap looked like she believe in what was going on in that ring as much as she believes Santa will show up on Dec. 24 while she's asleep.
"Way to go, wimp!" she screamed.
\ Things were really hopping when I finally found the Musicmaker's Ball at the Salem Civic Center.
Joe Finley, who has been with the musician's Local 165 since 1952, received an award for more than 40 years with the union.
Though the first official get-together started in 1954, this event was named the Musicmakers Ball in 1969.
"The wives started complaining that they couldn't go out with their husbands over Christmas because they were working, so bands took turns playing for each other," Joe explained.
Joe told me he was 35 years old, which means he was playing the sax for some five years before he was born.
"I can't tell you my real age," he whispered with a wink. "Because if I tell you how old I am, you'll know how old my wife is, too. And she wouldn't like that."
There were a surprising number of people here who don't seem to have any professional ties to the music union. People who just turned out for the great music and a good time.
Acacia Craighead, 10, and Siobhain McCray, 12, were down from Stuarts Draft for this affair.
What did they play, I wanted to know.
"Volleyball," said Siobhain with a devilish grin. The kid's a comedian.
Denise Gabriel and Deb Soloman were part of a five-table contingent who never seems to miss this party.
Were they musicians? No.
Were they married to musicians? No.
Were they looking for musicians to date?
"My husband wouldn't like that," explained Denise, who explained she was just there for the party.
It was Cheryl Ann Robinson's first visit to the Musicmakers Ball. And though she's a deejay at WROV-FM, Cheryl Ann hardly knew anyone who played an instrument.
"It's like being at a big wedding and not knowing who the bride is," she shouted above the big band music of Glenn Miller.
\ THE PARTY LINE: If you'd like to invite Mingling columnist Kathleen Wilson to a party or social gathering, call her at 981-3434; when asked for the mailbox, dial MING (6464) and press the # key. Then leave a message as directed. Or write her in care of the Features Department, Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491.