Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 21, 1993 TAG: 9308230261
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOE KENNEDY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
If enough of the county-mandated limit of 4,000 tickets is sold to cover expenses, and the day goes smoothly, Bernard's Landing will consider a slate of two or three concerts per year in the nostalgia or jazz veins, says Joe Baraty, the development's general manager.
He'd like to show county officials that he and his staff can accommodate even larger crowds at a ``safe, squeaky clean event.'' And he'd like to bring in bands such as the Duke Ellington Orchestra or even - best case - someone like saxophonist Kenny G.
The point is to provide what might be called adult entertainment in the good sense - acts that will draw a 35 and up crowd that not only will behave but also will add to the community's exposure.
``There's been an ongoing concern as to what Bernard's Landing should be,'' says Baraty. Mostly residential with space for small business meetings, the resident-owned community wants to increase its resort and convention image - and facilities.
``I've been trying to lay the groundwork to open the doors a little bit,'' Baraty says. The new business focus could be the ticket to future prosperity, he says.
The acts on the first bill seem safe enough. Both hark back to the early days of rhythm and blues, when black vocal groups first burst into the mainstream of rock 'n' roll - often with hits that were as beautiful as any pop music ever made. Imitators and spinoff groups have proliferated
under the same names, but the Drifters, at least, have a genuine tie to the originals. Bill Pinkney, 68, sang bass with the Drifters when they formed in 1953 under the leadership of Clyde McPhatter. His own Drifters have been performing for years.
This incarnation of the Platters is led by Bernard Purdie of Newport News, who says he joined the original Platters in 1957 and stayed three years before starting his own Platters. His group, which is not to be confused with the one that appeared recently at the Radisson Patrick Henry Hotel in Roanoke, had never recorded until recently, he said, but performs about 30 weeks per year, including a stint not long ago in Branson, Mo., the country music hot spot.
Lately, he said, he and the group completed recordings for an album of old Platters hits, though they may not issue it under that name.
The Smith Mountain Lake performance will be ``the best show you've ever seen in your life,'' he promised. ``We're singers. We're not dancers. We're singers.'' Tickets to the concert are $10 in advance and $12.50 at the
gate. For children ages 6 to 12 they are $5. They may be ordered by calling (800) 572-2048.
No coolers will be allowed on the site. Lawn chairs and beach blankets are recommended. Beverages will be sold, and the food will be catered by Jimmy's Barbecue. Proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit the Roanoke/Pskov Sister City Group.
The gates will open at 2 on May 30, with music to start around 3, according to promoter Sherman Helms. The headliners should begin singing around 5 p.m. The concert is supposed to be over by 8 p.m.
Baraty shares one fear with county officials who haven't forgotten the controversial Johnny Paycheck-Willie Nelson concert at Franklin County Speedway in 1980 - that something might go wrong. And he's not just talking about the weather.
That's why he has chosen groups with appeal to older listeners.
``I'd rather have 3,000 of the right kind [of people] than 15,000 of the wrong kind.''
He also said he has meticulously adhered to the county's requirements for everything from security personnel to Porta-Johns.
``Everything is based on how the first concert does.''
by CNB