One thing the above article fails to make clear is that these annual concerts were done completely free. Over all the years they did them, the Statlers made not one penny off them -- not directly, anyway. There was no admission charge. Doing that probably cost them.
The community benefited, though. People would come from all over the country, and local non-profits would piggy-back and pick up a dime or two. So would the motels, restaurants, and everybody else.
I will forever regret that I did not live here then, nor did I ever attend one of these concerts. I know the park. I sometimes take my dog walking there. It's a nice park. Family. Putting 50,000 peple in there would be a lot.
I don't know of any other group of their stature that has done something like that. Maybe one time, but not annually like they did.
The impact they had around here is enormous. Roads are named after them. In Waynesboro, we have Lew DeWitt Drive.
Good music, decent people. Very decent.