Almost Elton John lights up the night | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Kathy Manos Penn is a native of the “Big Apple,” who settled in the “Peach City” – Atlanta. A former English teacher now happily retired from a corporate career in communications, she writes a weekly column for the Dunwoody Crier and the Highlands Newspaper. Read her blogs and columns and purchase her books, “The Ink Penn: Celebrating the Magic in the Everyday” and “Lord Banjo the Royal Pooch,” on her website theinkpenn.com or Amazon.

    What's not to like about a rock 'n roll concert at an intimate venue? One that's easy to get to, with free parking, and a drinks truck offering fun mixed drinks along with wine and beer?

    On a beautiful October night, I attended "Remember When Rock Was Young," an Elton John tribute provided by Almost Elton John; a band of local musicians led by Craig A. Meyer as Elton. My inspiration for attending was to see KG Fletcher, my singing author friend who writes romance novels and is a singer in the band.

    From the get-go, it was a joyful evening. Almost Elton John (AlmostEltonJohn.com) tours all over the country, but they staged this Friday concert in their hometown at the Church of the Redeemer to benefit Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org). I got my tickets as soon as I saw the event posted on Facebook and invited my friend Beverly to go with me.

    Our evening was off to a great start when we wandered over to a tent thinking it might be where we'd find the bar but instead found a friendly crowd who invited us to partake of their hors d'oeuvres. I met Kathy from Kansas City, who'd flown in for the event and was there with her sister Sara who lives in Atlanta. Beverly connected with another friend over the topic of dogs. We drug ourselves away to stand in the drinks line, where we met Sara's daughter Carrie, who lives in Dunwoody with her family.

    The concert was marvelous, and I understand now why folks say that Craig Meyer sounds more like Elton than Elton does. If you could see his moves on stage, you'd realize he must be pretty darned fit, and the voice-oh the voice. The voice, the moves, the sparkly outfits all combine to create a spectacular show. Let's not forget his musicians: KG Fletcher is a backup singer but also has a star turn as Kiki Dee in "Don't Go Breaking My Heart." She and Courtney Loner, both dressed in black, supply not only the backup singing but the backdrop to Elton's over the top sparkle.

    As far as fundraising, the best was yet to come. The proceeds from ticket sales went to Autism Speaks, as did donations before the show, and then there was the auction. The high bid would have the opportunity to join Elton on stage while he sang a song to the winner. Bidding started at $100, and soon it was a battle between a gentleman near the front and Kathy from Kansas City. It made my heart sing to know that over $1,000 went to benefit research and treatment of those affected with Autism for that one song. Kathy was the winner, and Elton sang "Your Song," just to her. I was astonished when she joined in for the second verse. It turns out she's also a singer.

    But it didn't stop there. Before the final song of the evening, Elton invited the second highest bidder to make his donation. Once again, over $1,000 went to Autism Speaks, and two guests joined Elton on stage for another special song. Come to find out after the concert that Kathy from Kansas City was especially motivated to make the winning bid, as she is the great-aunt of a young man on the spectrum.

    What a wonderful evening. Great music, a good cause, and new friends made it an event I won't soon forget.

    Find Kathy's new book "Lord Banjo the Royal Pooch" and her collection of columns, "The Ink Penn: Celebrating the Magic in the Everyday," on Amazon and her website inkpenn119@gmail.com.