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Despite a power outage, which left much of the northern end of the county, including Smokies Stadium, in the dark until just minutes before the start of the Last of the Breed Concert with Willie Nelson, Ray Price and Merle Haggard, the show went off without a hitch. Around 5,800 fans crowded in to see the legends perform.
The show was a huge success,” said Allen Newton, executive director of the Sevier County Economic Development Council, which organized the concert. “It went off flawlessly.” They did a great job,” Newton said of the Sevierville County Electric System. “We couldn’t have asked for anything more. There are many things that we as a staff and the Smokies staff can control. When the power goes out, that’s out of our hands.”
Bob Stahlke, spokesman for the Sevierville Police Department, said the event was quiet for law enforcement. Officers set up a command post in the press box to spot the few people who misbehaved during the event. Most of those who got out of hand were simply intoxicated, though Stahlke said police were on the lookout for illegal substance use as well.
Officers already stationed at traffic lights along Highway 66 to help ease traffic flow were sent reinforcements as they had to direct cars when the power went out.
Brad and Ineda Cawthorne drove from Crossville to see Nelson for the third time together. The concert was a chance for Ineda Cawthorne to show off her “Marry Me Willie” shirt.
“Brad only agreed to marry me if I said we could go see Willie on our wedding night,” she said. “So we went that night to see him at the Grand Ole Opry. We like Merle, but we’re really here for Willie.”
The musicians didn’t disappoint, with each playing their own sets and teaming up on several songs. Nelson and Haggard even paired up to sing “Pancho and Lefty,” a duet they took to the top of the charts.