Musician Glenn Frey discusses his concert at Bell Auditorium tonight to benefit Fort Discovery. The former Eagles member said Wednesday that last year's concert was small, but that he received a lot of feedback from it. JONATHAN ERNST/STAFF

Fondness for city, science center brings Frey bck

Web posted April 6, 2000

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By Steven Uhles
Staff Writer

When Glenn Frey takes the stage at Bell Auditorium tonight, he will play not only for his assembled fans but also for the countless children enriched daily by The National Science Center's Fort Discovery.

The former member of The Eagles appeared last year in a series of intimate sets at Fort Discovery's Paul S. Simon Discovery Theater. This year, organizers, working with Mr. Frey, decided to up the ante a bit.

``Last year's event was very small, but we had fantastic feedback,'' Mr. Frey said Wednesday. ``So now we find ourselves sitting at the precipice of a much larger thing.''

Mr. Frey said that both an appreciation for the work of Fort Discovery and a genuine fondness for Augusta brought him back this year.

On stage What: Glenn Frey and friends When: 9 p.m. Where: Bell Auditorium Admission: $46-$66, balcony seating. Call 822-7700

``Once you walk into Fort Discovery, you're sold,'' he said. ``I'm not unlike my kids. If you mention computers or math or physics or science, I get a little scared. This place does a lot to dispel those fears.''

An avid golf fan, Mr. Frey admitted that Augusta's links history was a strong draw; but as a musician he said it was not the only attraction for him.

``Even if there wasn't the National, Augusta gave us James Brown, and that's enough for me,'' he said. ``Also, when people ask me about coming down here, the first thing out of my mouth is how nice the people are.''

Despite the success of last year's event and the expected success of tonight's show, Mr. Frey said he probably wouldn't perform in a similar concert next year, although he would happily involve himself in the planning.

``It's nice to be associated with this event, and this concert is the next logical step,'' he said. ``I think I speak for Fort Discovery when I say I think they would like to see this become an annual event. I think the task now becomes attracting acts that will continue to attract people.''

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626.