JOLENE CLINE
It is wonderful to be taken by surprise!
I have known Jolene Cline for years, I watched her grown up, and I knew she sang well and at every opportunity. She was intently interested in music of a religious nature. Several years we were both on the same
bill. We did an opening or warm-up routine for a show “An Evening With Steve Bennett” who continues to be one of the finest masters of the guitar in all its guises performing today. I felt humbled and honored to be asked to “open”
for Steve Bennett, and I think Jolene must have felt the same way.
It was at a private home and was billed as a “House Concert”. Seating was provided for well over one hundred and twenty guests, and Francis Stout, our Host in who’s home we were gathered introduced Jolene
Cline to the waiting audience. Tall, statuesque, and smiling pleasantly, Jolene sang her songs and they were well received. I followed with a set of originals including one called ”Chesapeake Bay” because Steve Bennett lives at
Gloucester Point, Va. on the bay.
It was a wonderful experience for me and a good evening for all. It was the last time I sang in public and that has been two years ago, at least. We were invited back the second year, but illness
prevented me from being there. I have seen and talked with Jolene Cline every time I visit the doctor’s office in which she works. I remember asking her: “Still singing?” And she assured me she was.
Just recently, our daughter Elizabeth, who lives in Hampton, Va. , attended a Methodist Retreat at Blackstone,Va. and Jolene was Music Leader for the group. This morning Elizabeth surprised me as she handed me
two CD’s and I am listening to Jolene sing at this moment.
One is titled “A Little Bit of Heaven”. It includes ten favorite songs. The other: “It’s All About Love”. has eleven well-known songs. One the first disc she has Jeff Duffield on piano and strings, Scott Linton, drums and
Bobby Meadows on bass guitar. On the “All About Love” CD she is joined by the “Celebration Four” quartet and additional musicians, Brian Sutton on fiddle and mandolin, Brad Corbin on steel guitar. John Gates, drums and Gary
Green plays harmonica with consumate skill.
The members of the quartet are: Martin Cline (Daddy), Dick Coffman, Garold Senger and Nolan Cline.
The variety of selections and accompaniment allows Jolene to show off additional nuances of a remarkably talent. Recorded at Majors Studio, Waynesboro, Va. CD’s and cassettes are available at P.O. Box 12,
New Hope, Va. 24469. Booking information and CD’s are yours at (540) 363-5641.
How nice it is to know someone who is on the way up in the entertainment field!
Jolene Cline! I knew her when.
A.L.M. August 23, 2002 [c-483wds]
