By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
It was Family Night on the Madison Street Plaza Thursday as the Sweetwater All-Stars provided the sweet music for the penultimate concert of the Decatur Chamber’s 2024 season.
This one featured probably the most emotional few moments ever seen on the plaza via a song delivered to a cancer survivor surrounded by her sisters and friends.
And another family came to the forefront through Sweetwater trumpet player Brett Kelsey, sparked by a story on WZBD.com.
Linda Bixler has been a regular at the Thursday night concerts for several years, seen mostly on the dancing area in front of the stage. If you’ve been to a concert, you’ve seen Linda dancing.
That all came to a halt this year, however, as Linda began a battle with cancer.
Finally, on this next-to-last night of the concert season, she returned to the plaza, receiving a warm welcome from many people.
There were few dry eyes as All-Stars singer Lisa McDavid sang “Natural Woman” to Linda while she was surrounded by sisters Karen Sills and Candy Johnson and others. (A video is on Facebook.)
McDavid said she remembered Linda – approaching her 75th birthday – from previous Sweetwater All-Star performances in Decatur and she left the stage to sing – and to hug Linda on at least two occasions.
KELSEY CLAN: Kelsey, who’s played trumpet for the All-Stars since their existence nearly 10 years ago, is the son of the late Thelma Noll Kelsey Alexander and Ned Kelsey. His mother, a native of Pleasant Mills, had 15 siblings!
So Brett, who has never lived in Adams County, nevertheless has cousins scattered all around this area – including Janelle Young, Keith Young, Decatur Mayor Dan Rickord, Elaine Rash, Kip Massoth.
Several of his cousins attended the concert and Kelsey had them stand during a break taken by the band.
Kelsey’s story may be found on WZBD.com.
SINGER SICK: The All-Stars played for nearly three full hours, delighting another large crowd.
Bellmont High School student Jayleena Hil, 15, was scheduled to open for the All-Stars but was sidelined by illness.
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