Performing before a near sell out audience of nearly 1,000 people, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band belted out country hits on the Fox Theatre�s stage.



The Dirt Band, a multi-platinum country act best known for the songs �Fishin� in the Dark� and �Mr. Bojangles� was brought to Hutchinson, along with songwriter Matraca Berg, by Jack and Jay Manske of Manske and Associates. The Manskes, who are currently restoring the Wiley Building next door, wanted to host a benefit concert for the theater as a way to say thanks for being a good neighbor during the renovation.



�We really appreciated the Fox�s cooperation and patience as we�re involved in all of this,� Jack Manske said. �We�re very glad to have the Fox as a neighbor and so pleased with the turnout tonight.�



The Manskes are longtime friends to the band and paid the expenses to host the concert, allowing the Fox to raise money for its operations budget. The Dirt Band is a personal favorite of Jack�s. For the Mankses it seemed like a natural fit to bring in the band to play at the Fox.



Before the Dirt Band took the stage, Mary Hemmings, the Fox�s interim executive director, announced the concert had raised $44,000 for the theater.



�I can�t tell you how much that helps our budget,� Hemmings said.



�There wouldn�t be a show without them,� said Josh Davies, the newly appointed director of theater operations, who will take over for Hemmings in September.



Both Hemmings and Davies were very excited by the evening�s turnout. Davies said based on the number of people in attendance, the demand for special events such as this concert may point to things to come in the future.



�It�s going to take businesses to step up and sponsor them,� he said. �We really need support for these to be feasible, but I think the community�s interest is there.�



Davies said there are some things possibly in the works, but could not comment on any future special event concerts to come.



About an hour before the show more than 20 people eagerly awaited the doors to open. Once inside, longtime friends Fred Hilton and Beth Lawson began to reminisce about how the Fox has changed over the years. This was Hilton�s first time back in the theater since he graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1965.



When Lawson learned the Dirt Band was coming she called Hilton, who now lives in Kansas City, to invite him down for the show. Their conversation turned into a friendly argument when discussing the location of the original snack bar. Both had strong opinions on where exactly it was. They agreed to disagree after an attendant sided with Lawson.



�I come here every opportunity I have,� Lawson said. �I�m here for movies, live stage shows. It�s great.�



A wide variety of both young and old, cowboy hats and ball caps were present in the near-sellout theater that seats 1,222.



Libby and Matt Gertken said they decided to attend because they both grew up listening to the band�s music with their parents.



�They wrote the new testament of bluegrass,� Matt said.



The couple grew up in Hutchinson and now live in Austin, Texas. Now back for a visit, they jumped at the chance to hear live music in Hutchinson.



�It�s good for the city,� Matt said.