There were budget concerns, of course.

What a tremendous ambassador she is for the community. I can't think of a better one.

We spoke with her agent, explained what we envisioned for the role and waited to find out if she might be interested. Her agent came back with an offer. I don't remember exactly what it was now, but I know our budget couldn't afford it. He asked what we could offer, and we made our offer.

I came across a story online about how Marion Ross, at the age of 13, changed the spelling of her name from Marian to Marion because it would look better up in lights. She seemed to be the perfect image for the city because she had the soul of integrity and traditional values.

One of the ways to do that is to set up bigger-than-normal points of dispense.

My first performance was in second grade with my friend Rodney Fisher, and we worked up versions of 'Long Tall Texan' and 'I Want to Hold Your Hand.' It gave me a little early confidence that I could actually do this music thing.