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The Walker Center, on the campus of Wilkes Community College, will present Ronnie Milsap on Friday, September 5, at 8 p.m. This performance is sponsored by Carolina West Wireless.

Born in Robbinsville, North Carolina, at the edge of the Smoky Mountains, he was enveloped in his early years by country - the region was crucial to such history-makers as Jimmie Rodgers, Chet Atkins and Dolly Parton. Milsap subsequently received classical training at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, although he notoriously frustrated his teachers by banging out Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard rock 'n' roll on the keyboard when he was supposed to be practicing Mozart and Beethoven. He attended college in the Atlanta area.

Milsap grew a large fan base with his hybrid style of country blended with pop, rock and R&B elements. Milsap helped establish the boundaries for what country could be - then pushed them farther in a way that connected fiercely with the public.

Milsap emulated James Taylor in his vocal approach to "(There's) No Gettin' Over Me," a No. 1 record in country and pop; hooked into the instructions he got playing piano on Elvis Presley sessions to build the sound of "Smoky Mountain Rain," another major crossover hit; and recorded an entire album of songs made famous by late Country Music Hall of Famer Jim Reeves.

He compiled 40 No. 1 country hits and accrued eight gold albums; his "Greatest Hits" made him one of the first acts in any genre to obtain double-platinum status after the Recording Industry of America introduced the multi-platinum honor in 1984.

The industry responded as positively to Milsap as the public did. He won six Grammys; eight Country Music Association awards, including Entertainer of the Year; and four more Academy of Country Music trophies, including the lifetime honor, the Pioneer Award.

Milsap set the standard for thinking outside of country's proverbi
al box. Time would prove Milsap's artistic judgment to be correct. Even resistant radio stations eventually added his rockin' 1983 single "Stranger in My House" to playlists; "Stranger" won a Best Country Song Grammy for songwriter Mike Reid, and music fans - most of whom care little about creative boxes - responded enthusiastically.

Milsap clearly influenced the direction of modern country music. What current country artists are doing today in redefining country is nothing new. They're simply carrying on a master plan Milsap laid down years ago.

A limited number of tickets are available for this performance. For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact the Walker Center Box Office at 336-838-6260 or [email protected].