The Third Time was the Charm!

I have a tremendous admiration and respect for those often unsung heroes of non-profit and charitable organizations, the fundraisers. They are often the fuel that makes the engine run, through their often tireless efforts to raise additional funds that enable an agency to provide needed services, many of which are not covered by grant awards.

During the past dozen or more years, I've been fortunate to be one of those fundraisers and count myself lucky to have been in the company of a great many generous individuals, sponsors and underwriters who believe in giving back to the community. While some may speak about the so-called "New England frugality", I have found just the opposite to be the case. The majority of New Hampshire residents have a generosity in spirit and an eagerness to help and assist others.

Last week I did my 30th fundraising event and it only served to reinforce in me all of the reasons why this path has been a genuine pleasure to trod.

Guy & Ralna made their return to “The Granite State” on May 12, 2013 in a concert at Concord’s beautiful Capitol Center for the Arts. Previously they had packed the theatre with appearances in 2006 and 2007. They were welcomed back with an audience that thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the nearly 90 minute performance.

The concert had originally been scheduled for September, 2014 and due to scheduling conflicts had to be postponed twice. The third time proved to be the charm and the famed singing pair more than made the waiting worthwhile.

To anyone who has only seen Guy & Ralna on television or as part of a show featuring a number of Welk greats, spending an hour and a half with the pair is a revelation and a show that was, in the words of an audience member, “better than most of the shows we’ve seen in Vegas”.

Backed by an eleven piece orchestra that sounded like there were 30 musicians, Guy & Ralna provided a non-stop musical tour with songs from every decade from the 40’s through the 80’s, without missing a beat. The banter and obvious on-stage warmth the pair exuded has not waned a bit in the more than four decades in which they have been performing together and has probably deepened with the passage of time. They were fresh, funny, utterly beguiling, and quite moving at times. As for their talent, there are few vocalists performing today who are able to wrap themselves around a song and bring more feeling to a lyric than Guy & Ralna.

Another happy attendee noted that “Guy & Ralna are a class act” and that “nobody can sing a Patsy Cline song like Ralna”, who stopped the show with her poignant and powerful rendition of the classic, “Crazy”. Her vocal expertise is such that no matter what type of song she is singing, she makes you feel that you are hearing it for the first time.

Guy Hovis showed his considerable skill as a guitarist and also rendered amazing impersonations of a number of popular singers including Hank Williams, Frankie Laine, Elvis Presley and a flawless Johnny Mathis as well as a spot on take on Jim Nabors.  His vocal range is impressive and Guy’s comic timing is perfect and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when he sang “My Mother’s Eyes”. “Let The Eagle Soar”, which has become one of his trademark numbers, left the audience breathless.

The show ran the gamut from Big Band, Rock n Roll, the Beatles, Country Western, Gospel and all those timeless numbers from the Great American Songbook.  No matter what the song was, Guy & Ralna effortlessly made it their own. Their duets and rich harmony certainly place them among the best singing pairs in musical history.

Ralna’s voice soared with the beautiful, “How Great Thou Art” as she expressed the beauty of this song with a performance that was unforgettable. At its conclusion the audience could not contain themselves and rose, as one, in a prolonged and well-deserved standing ovation.

Guy & Ralna wrapped the show with outstanding renditions of two beloved songs – “Let There Be Peace on Earth” and “God Bless America”. At the conclusion the audience stood and yelled their appreciation with screams of “bravo” and “more”. No one wanted it to end.

I have worked with many performers over the years, bringing them to New Hampshire for benefits to help worthy charities and organizations. Never have I witnessed the genuine love and affection of an audience the way I did while sitting amongst the crowd who enjoyed Guy & Ralna.  I was in awe of the show I watched and the talent displayed on the stage.  After an exhausting but exhilarating performance, they remained until every single person who wanted an autograph or wished to have a picture taken had their wish granted.

Later that evening we all enjoyed a delicious dinner at Concord's Makris Lobster and Steak House and Guy & Ralna recounted their visits to our city through the years and the affection they feel for residents of the Capital City.

As for me, I recalled the lyrics to a song I wrote as a youngster the year Concord marked its Bicentennial Celebration in 1965.

"By the river's shining shore, sits the city we adore, Concord, you have conquered me"