It was in 1994 when John Devlin was introduced to the music of Elton John because that was the year the “Lion King” was released by Disney.
The superstar performer composed five songs for the blockbuster animated film, and Devlin, the music director for the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, fell in love with the performer’s music at first listen.
That is why he is very excited for this weekend’s “Sunday Funday Concert” at Oglebay’s Anne Kuchinka Amphitheatre.
“The show is free, and it will be a little over two hours. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and we’re going to celebrate five decades of Elton John,” Devlin said. “It’s going to be a blast, and I know impersonator Craig Myer is bringing with him many, many costumes to depict Elton John throughout his career. It’s going to be the full orchestra, and Craig has three back-up singers.
“Craig will play the piano, but he also has a full band behind him, and also the orchestra, and he has one heck of a voice,” he said. “I grew up during the 1990s, so for me my favorite Elton John songs are from the Lion King because that movie was my introduction to Elton John’s music. I also love his Broadway numbers, and the other pieces he has done for Disney. That’s what I am looking forward to the most.”
Showtime
The Anne Kuchinka Amphitheatre rests behind the Oglebay Mansion, and along with the performers there will be six different food trucks, children’s activities, and beverage concessions.
The Sunday Funday Concert Series began on May 30 with Eli and the Mojo Kings. Billy the Kid and the Regulators, Hoard and Jones, the Joseph Sisters, The Gage Joseph Band, and Crandall Creek are a few of the other bands that have performed on Oglebay’s historic stage.
“The people in our organization have been busy all summer getting ready for the concert we have this Sunday at Oglebay,” Devlin explained. “The members of our orchestra have been busy playing all over the country performing in festivals, but they are ready to reunite this Labor Day weekend for ‘Music Under the Stars.’
“It usually the traditional end of Oglebay’s Summer Concert Series, but because of weather there is one more next Sunday,” he said. “So, this Sunday at 7:30 p.m., we will perform a show called, ‘Remember When Rock Was Young.’ It’s an Elton John tribute, and my dear friend Craig is bringing his entire band and all of his back-up singers to here in Wheeling.”
As part of Oglebay’s Labor Day Celebration, a fireworks show will begin immediately after the tribute to Elton John is over. Next Sunday, Sept. 12, Tongue & Cheek will complete the series beginning at. 7 p.m.
“This Sunday will make it two performances in a row for us because we performed our annual Fourth of July show at Heritage Port this summer,” Devlin said. “We have found that the three best things we can offer our audience is really good music, really good food during our Sound Bite series, and big fireworks. Oglebay never disappoints; that’s for sure.
“Now, if we have bad weather, I know the show will move to Wilson Lodge, but if there are some people out there who are unable to make it to Oglebay, the performance will be broadcast on My Ohio Valley and on wtrf.com for free,” he explained. “So, that means everyone can check us out at 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening no matter where you are in the world.”
Sound Check
The Anne Kunchinka Amphitheatre is a large facility that can host as many as 2,500 attendees, and the stage is 75 feet wide and 40 feet deep. Every inch will be needed, too, because as many as 50 orchestra members will be performing along with Myer and his tribute band.
If rain is an issue, the show will move to the Glessner Auditorium inside Wilson Lodge. But inclement weather is only one concern Devlin possesses when it comes to this particular performance.
“One of the main things that some folks may not realize is that we amplify every single musician in the orchestra individually for a show like that because hearing acoustic sound is impossible when you are playing outdoors,” Devlin explained. “So, that’s a big challenge for us to get that all set up, but Bill Graham is our amazing sound guy, and he does an amazing job every time. Plus, we only have one rehearsal for a show like this.
“We will meet early Sunday afternoon at Oglebay, and then again during the evening for the show, so getting all of that fine-tuned and locked in is very important especially since we are broadcasting it into people’s homes,” he continued. “It’s a big challenge, but we have many, many talented people involved, and that is why it’s all worth the hard work.”
