It was truly remarkable (06/05/08)

It was, by any standard, a pretty remarkable moment.

Here was a guy who had spent a life in show business, appearing on-stage for the final performance of his career; and he was appearing before an audience loaded with old friends, family members, and loyal fans.

It doesn't get much better than that.

And yet it does.

Because instead of just basking in the moment, taking the applause as his due, Jack Imel had delivered a dynamite performance. He'd brought laughs, he'd brought music, and he'd brought more than a little nostalgia.

And he had delivered them all with a characteristic sense of humility that could not have been more engaging.

Most of his humor was of the self-deprecating variety, and no one could doubt his sincerity when he talked about how blessed he had been in his years with The Lawrence Welk Show and its extended family of performers.

The stereotype tells us that professional show biz types are self-absorbed, egocentric jerks. And there are probably more than enough of those to go around.

But Jack Imel reminded us this week that there are also professional entertainers who are simply good people, nice guys, the sort who are still married to their high school sweetheart more than 50 years later.

The applause this week for Jack's finale was for the great show he put on. But it was also for the person he is and the life he has lived.

He has been a tireless ambassador for this community, and he has made us proud every step of the way.

On a moving and sentimental evening, the community was able to say thank you. The applause was loud and long. The curtain calls were well-deserved.

And when the show was over and all voices were raised in singing "God Bless America" as a coda or capstone or benediction for the event, it truly was a remarkable moment. - J.R.

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