Roanoke did it up. Roanoke did it right.
The threat of rain Thursday night didn’t remotely dampen the mood as singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow rocked a sellout crowd for the grand opening of the recently renovated Elmwood Park amphitheater.
Ever since Roanoke mayor David Bowers made the announcement about Crow’s appearance in early April, word spread quickly of the nine-time Grammy Award winner coming to The Star City. It was her first appearance in Roanoke.
The concert sold out quickly, with 4,300 tickets purchased to see the multi-talented Crow, who has sold more than 50 million albums around the world.
Crow, 52, was born on February 11, 1962 in Kennett, Missouri. She majored in music education in college and taught elementary school in St. Louis before making the move to Los Angeles that launched her career.
She got her start by singing jingles for clients like McDonalds.
“That 45 minutes of work was equal to what I made in two years of teaching,” Crow noted of her unique introduction to show business.
Talent and good looks led to more opportunities and Crow eventually sang backup for stars like Rod Stewart, Sting and Don Henley before becoming a star in her own right.
Thursday night, she had the Elmwood amphitheater in the palm of her hands.
“Roanoke is like old friends,” Crow told the crowd between songs.
She said her musical entourage had spent the day in Roanoke and enjoyed every minute. “We went to the children’s museums and had butterflies land on our hand. Band members noted they had eaten at Wildflour Cafe and taken in the Mill Mountain star.
Her 90 minute concert featured 20 of her top hits including Easy, Give It 2 Me, First Cut is the Deepest, All I Wanna Do, Shotgun and Strong Enuff.
Crow has endured a number of career ups and downs, including a well-publicized engagement and breakup with Lance Armstrong, a courageous battle with breast cancer and the adoption of her son which she calls her greatest pleasure. The boy appeared briefly on stage Thursday night. “One of my crew members and cheap labor,” Crow said with a laugh as her son ran across the Elmwood stage.
Both Crow and the Elmwood amphitheater came away with rave reviews.
Bill Turner
