pay our electric bill so that we could pay
to get in the fair’... Me and Jim just kind of
looked at each other. And then that night on
the bus we brought that up, and we talked
about literally the importance and what
we do... I think it’s just real, real important
to truly understand the conclusion that we
came to that night.”
Raybon says, “That night it became different,
because we realized that people had to
make exceptions even in their own lives. You
know some people have to get baby sitters,
this couple didnt pay their light bill. Some
people take off a half a day work, some
people take off a whole day work to get to
where the show is, and from that point on
we’ve never ever tried to take for granted
people coming to see us.”
Raybon says that for most shows,
Shenandoah is contracted to play for
INSIGHT
90 minutes, and while they usually play
longer, he recognizes the importance those
90 minutes can hold for their fans. “If we
literally can capture them, and we literally
can occupy their head space for 90 minutes
and take them as far away from the care and
concern they’ve got on their heart or what’s
rattling around in their mind. And for that
90 minutes if we can capture them and get
them involved. I mean singing along hoopin’
and hollerin’ and I mean really having a big
time... when we’ve really done our job is at
the end of the night that they left and that
they’re truly proud that they came.”
Shenandoah’s performance at the Alabama
and Friends Benefit Concert is sure to deliver
on Raybon’s promise to entertain. “We truly
love doing what we do,” Raybon says. “What’s
that old saying? Don’t tell me you love me,
show me you love me. I really do believe that
that applies.” ✽
September 2018 11