Mr. "Rose Colored Glasses"
John Conlee Entertains
Crowd With Quality Show,
Thursday Night

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

The ones in the crowd may have been a "little long-toothed" and gray may have been coloring their hair, but John Conlee came to the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, on Thursday night, and delivered a delightful show, that featured a sting of Country and Western hits, from the late 1970's and 1980's. He opened the show with his first number 1 hit from 1979, "Lady Lay Down," and received a warm welcome from fans who remembered the song on the charts.

Soon, he had the crowd warmed-up and began the lyrics to "Busted," that he assured everyone they could relate. And, shortly members of the audience began weaving their way to stage and giving him dollars, fives, tens, and even twenties. One of the band members brought out a red bucket to hold the donations. Conlee ended the song and advised that throughout his career, on stage he and the band had collect, thus far, over $210,000.00 and that each and every dollar collected was donated to Feed the Children, a U.S. based organization, that helps hungry children in the United States. The donations to the "red bucket" continued throughout the concert!

 

 

 

 

Conlee then presented "Living That Domestic Life"............"happy children and a pretty wife, my Cocker Spaniel having puppies......our neighbors are Fred and Ruth......he wears alot of leisure suits, and she sell tupperware! I owe my soul to Mastercard, but I guess that domestic life, is suited for me!"

 

 

In one of the most moving moments of the concert, Conlee allowed that his youngest child, a son, joined the Marine Corps, after graduating from high school. "So, my family understands the sacrifices that are being made by our troops in Iraq," explained Conlee. "My son is almost through with his second tour of duty there. That was the story behind this next song!"

 

 

 

Then, the lights dimmed and a video was played as Conlee sand "For They Also Serve," as pictures of the families of American soldiers were shown on the screen. Tears were in the eyes of almost anyone in the audience, as they viewed the good-byes and the struggles of families torn by war.  "This is for those who stand and wait, for they're still in the war, wishing for their loved ones to return home....." sang Conlee.

Fans were once again "moved" by Conlee's former hit song, "The Carpenter," ........"I can still here his hammer singing......tough as a crowbar, strait as a chalk line...... square with the world.....like Noah built the ark.....he worked his hands in wood from the cradle to the coffin."

 

 

Still on a gospel note, Conlee introduced "Pass It On,".........Pass it on; Pass it down......do you leave the boy all your love or all your sin?.....we all need more than a headstone in the ground.....you can make it right or wrong....pass it on.....you can't teach your children love from the ground....pass it on.....pass it down!"

 

It was "trip down memory lane," as Conlee and his band presented "Old School," the story of high school sweethearts reunited for a dance at a high school reunion. She tells him "it could be more, give me a call, and he turns down the advances, because he's from the "Old School where hearts stay true!"

Conlee told the story of how he was raised a country boy in Brasilles, Kentucky, and still owns a farm there. He advised everyone that he continues to be a licensed undertaker, just in case that his music doesn't make him a living! He then introduced the members of his band........Steve Singer, lead guitar; Les Martin, bass; Gary Malone, drums; and Mickey G., on keyboard. Following the introductions, Conlee entered the audience and answered questions from the crowd.

 

 

When he returned to the stage, he began his 1983 hit song, "A Common Man,"......I'm just a common man....I drive a common van.....my dog don't have a pedigree....high proud people loose their sanity!"

 

 

Then, it was time for the 1978 trademark song, "Rose Colored Glasses"........these rose colored glasses that I'm looking through, show only the beauty......'cause they hide all the truth, I'll just keep hoping and believing..." Conlee explained that the song began its ascent up the charts, when a disc jockey in Houston, began playing the songs, and soon it was number one on the Country and Western Charts.

 

 

 

Conlee closed his quality show with "The American South,"......I wish I was in the land of Cotton.....Look Away, Look Away, Dixieland......Glory, Glory, Hallelujah...!"

Opening for John Conlee and his band, was Jerry Audley, who presented a great show and had the crowd ready for the Country and Western Legend, to begin his presentation.

 

 

"It's way past my bedtime, but it was well worth staying up," explained one elderly gentleman, who attended Thursday night's concert. "Maybe me and Mama can sleep late in the morning!"

 

The new Leadership Clock, installed at the Civic Center, told John Conlee
fans, that it was getting close to their bedtime, as they exited the concert, Thursday night.

 

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