Con Hunley wows ’em at the fair; explains from experience what’s really important in life

Con Hunley Saturday

You know I really like Con Hunley if I’m willing to go to the Tennessee Valley Fair to see him! I haven’t been to the fair since, well, the last time Con Hunley played there!

I can’t for the life of me figure out why he’s not on WIVK every time I turn on the radio. His voice is beautiful and strong. His band is tight and talented. He’s got a stage presence that is mesmerizing. And he genuinely cares about his fans and his audience. (Not to mention those blue eyes.)

If I regret that he’s not a huge star, it doesn’t seem to be bothering Con. “If you’ve got your family and your health, that’s all you really need,” he said from the stage Saturday night. Con knows from experience how valuable those two things are. He lost his brother, Tim, a member of his band, to cancer last year. And Con’s overcome issues that threatened his own health in years past. So he knows of which he speaks.

Interestingly, later on Saturday, exhausted from the crowds, lights and sounds of the fair, Alan and I stopped by the Bistro on Gay Street to hear another of our favorite singers, Maggie Longmire. She plays there on the third Saturday of every month. Maggie was on basically the same page as Con when it comes to what’s important in life.

The coincidence gave me goose bumps when Maggie performed a Mary Gauthier song that’s not on her normal play list. It’s called “No Profit in Regret.” In introducing it, Maggie said, “You shouldn’t regret anything that’s happened in the past, good or bad. Because that’s what brought you where you are today. So if you are happy where you are, that’s all that matters.”

(As for me, I wouldn’t regret it at all if Maggie and Con would perform together some time!)

Here’s a look at Con Hunley and the Tennessee Valley Fair:

Con's nephew, Stephen Hunley, opened for him. Stephen had a big weekend. He played The Square Room Friday night before opening for his uncle Saturday.

Con's got a great band.

His sister, Ruthie Akers, and his brother Kenny Hunley, right, are key band members.

"Oh Girl" from 1982 was Con Hunley's biggest hit.

Of course, being from Georgia, I love it when he plays, "Georgia on My Mind," another trademark of his.

The ladies love Con!

One fan, Justine, even drove by herself all the way from Canada to see him Saturday! Unfortunately, I didn’t get her picture.

This lady was on her feet the whole show.

She really worked it! And pretty soon, Con acknowledged her from stage.

And there was a surprise guest in the audience. Con invited his long-time friend, Congressman John J. Duncan Jr., onto the stage to sing a duet with him. Congressman Duncan was a nervous wreck prior to his performance. When he noticed a fellow on stage was performing sign language for the deaf, he leaned over and whispered, “Well, at least some people won’t hear how bad I am!”

Congressman Duncan joins Con for "You Are My Sunshine," which has become Duncan's trademark song!

Actually, Congressman Duncan was caught a little off-guard. He had rehearsed, "Silver Wings," rather than "Sunshine."

They got a little tickled, but managed to get through it!

There were other notable fans in the audience.

Barbara and Bob Griffitts. He's a long-time friend and aide to Congressman Duncan.

Former Knoxville City Councilman Larry Cox and his wife, Brenda.

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and his wife, Allison, were up in the nose-bleed section.

Here are Congressman Duncan and his wife, Lynn, in the audience.

After the show, Con signed autographs and said hello to fans.

Con and Earnestine Purkey, the former proprieter of the famous Corner Lounge where Con was a fixture back in the day.

Con signs the shirt of a fan.

The Burchetts chatted with Con after the show.

Then it was time to make our way out of the fair. I’m always just amazed by the lights, sounds, and the crowds. Surely the fair did well, this year.

Funnel cake, anyone?

Who says fair food isn't healthy? This booth sold vegetables!

A view down the midway.

Colorful prizes

Iconic ride

You've heard about it and read about it and here it is: the famous free ice water booth sponsored by Congressman Duncan - and his father before him!

And finally, we made it through the tunnel under Magnolia Avenue and to our car. We relaxed with a nightcap and a much quieter atmosphere at the Bistro at the Bijou and acoustic singer (at least last night) Maggie Longmire.

Maggie Longmire

Photo credit: Thanks so much to Lisa Starbuck who took many of the photos (all the good ones!) on this blog post. Lisa took the one of the band, Con and his siblings, the close-ups of Con and Congressman Duncan, Stephen Hunley, Con and Earnestine Purkey, Con and the Burchetts, and Con signing the fan’s shirt.