Kelley and Callie came home Tuesday and started the best party in town.
A sellout crowd packed Albert Taylor Hall to the gills Tuesday night as Emporia cheered on two of its own: Branson, Mo. singer Callie Agler Chambliss and rhythm-and-blues recording star Kelley Hunt.
“It’s full in there — you might as well save yourself some steps,” one audience member told some others, steering them away from the ground-floor seating and toward the stairs to the balcony.
Inside, a charged-up crowd seemed ready to applaud for anything: the organizers, the university president, an empty spotlight appearing on stage.
“My wife and I have been fans of (Hunt) for a long time,” said Jim Schmidtlein of Topeka as he waited in the balcony. “She’s just full of energy.”
So was 12-year-old Brady Carl, who didn’t seem to mind the upper-level seating one bit.
“I want to hear some good music,” said Brady, who was attending his first concert. “It’s cool being up here where you can just look out and see everybody. You go ‘Hi, yes, look, it’s me up here!’”
Finally it was time to lower the lights and kick up the sound. Armed with glittering jeans, a brilliant smile and a big, bold voice, Chambliss warmed up the crowd with a number of country favorites: Martina McBride’s “Independence Day,” Faith Hill’s “It Matters to Me” and Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats.” That last was requested by Chambliss’s brother, Creig Agler — perhaps because of the chorus about how “I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel drive. ...”
“It’s so good to be back home,” Chambliss said. “I’m a little nervous ... but it’s good to come home.
“I can’t believe we have a Walgreen’s in Emporia!” she added, joining the audience in a laugh. “We’ve hit the big time! And a Popeye’s!”
Then it was Hunt’s turn. And “energy” didn’t begin to define her or her band as they powered into the ironically-named “Waking Up Slow” and kept on going from there. One joyful number in particular, about a better world waiting “On the Other Side,” refused to hold back — after urging the world to “Jump right up and let the good times roll,” Hunt and her musicians led the charge in a series of solos that wandered out on a number of musical limbs before returning safely home.
“I’m not done yet,” Hunt said after the song, drawing a chuckle.
At times, it seemed as though Hunt had four hands — two on the keyboard and two waving in the air at any given time. But the tempo grew a little more relaxed as her thoughts and songs turned toward Emporia — at which point she slipped off her “comfortable boots.”
“Since I’m performing here tonight, I thought ruby slippers might be better,” she said, holding up the shining shoes to applause.
Some of her memories went back to two frustrating years on the clarinet, which her father Milie Wade finally proposed trading in for a guitar on her 16th birthday. (“Way to go, Milie!” an audience member shouted.) Others musically recalled favorite places such as Rose’s Grocery Store — the crowd applauded at the first mention of the name — or simply the natural landmarks of her home.
“So take me back to the Cottonwood River and lead me on to where the Flint Hills roll,” she sang gently to a quiet concert hall. “I want to go there and see that sunrise so red and golden, I want to rest my soul in the heartland.”
Some of the songs came from her still-unreleased fourth album, expected to be out this fall. Another song, “It Might Just Take Love,” will be the theme for the independent feature film “Bunker Hill” to be released next year. The song was co-written with her sister, Stacey Wade Schneider.
The evening ended on as high a note as it started. In fact, it ended on an encore. Hunt was called out once more where she tore into a hilarious and fun boogie-woogie dedicated to her one-time piano teacher, “The Queen of the 88s.”
A homecoming, of course, also literally means a chance to come home. Hunt came together with her family for barbecue ribs (and will end up taking home about two slabs). Chambliss reveled in the chance for some quiet evenings with her own family. the first time she’s been home in a year.
“That’s all she wanted coming here,” said her dad, Bobbie Agler. “She said ‘I need some family time.’”
For both singers and for the crowd, it was one heck of a welcome back.
“We easily got five times our $10 worth,” one audience member said afterward.
b3bill (anonymous) says...
Way to go Emporia, and Happy 150th!
Inviting Kelley Hunt to be part of your celebration was a perfect choice. Her song "The Queen of the 88s" is in honor of well-known Emporia musician and teacher, Mary Burke Norton. Having taking lessons myself from Mary Burke for over 7 years, I have to say Kelley's song is a wonderful tribute to a top-notch musician. Mary Burke was a major contributor to Emporia's music history her whole life, as she played for countless weddings, receptions, church services, shows, etc. She inspired her students to develop their individual interests and perfection in music, as Kelley has so wonderfully done. Mary Burke would be so proud.
Thank you Kelley for sharing your music, and all the best. Come visit Emporia again anytime and bring us some more music.
July 4, 2007 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cagler (anonymous) says...
Way to go sis! I'm so proud of you!
July 5, 2007 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
It was great to see/hear from Callie as well. She has such a beautiful voice and energy - it had been too long since I had the opportunity to see her perform. What a great evening. Thank you for coming back to share with Emporia.
July 5, 2007 at 8:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )