Eddie Money Draws Biggest Fair Crowd in 25 Years

Eddie Money looks a guy who spent too many nights in a barroom drinking whiskey and smoking cigarettes.

But he looked that way in his heyday in the 1980s, too. So what if that was “three rehabs ago?,” as he joked Sunday, closing down the Dundalk Heritage Fair on the main stage. By all local accounts, the 62-year-old rocker still delivers a show.

“I thought he sounded real good,” said Bob Minnick, a Dundalk-native waiting in front of a very long line for autographs afterwards. “I heard someone who put it best. He said he sounded like Eddie Money. I liked that.”

Bob Fogle, entertainment coordinator for the Heritage Fair, said the crowd was the biggest for a musical performer since Marie Osmond in 1987.

Opening with “No Control,” the singer-songwriter-saxophone player followed with “Baby, Hold On,” a hit from his first album, “Eddie Money,” in 1977.  Money, a native-new Yorker who apparently has family in Maryland  – he twice shouted out to an aunt and uncle he said were in attendance – reminded the audience several times “that we’ve been in this together a long time.”

Money also gave shout outs to the “ladies of the 80s” in attendance who made up much of his fan base then – and now. He showed he has a little wiggle left as well, briefly lifting his jacket and showing his backside to the crowd.

“I’m going to attack him,” said Dee Brothers, 42, just before the show. “I want him to sign my chest afterwards,” she continued, pointing to a spot just below her clavicle. Amazingly, she said this was her first concert.

“I lived a sheltered life and then I had kids. But they’re all grown now,” Brothers said. “I told my husband, if he sees the police pulling someone away, don’t worry about bail – get the autograph first.”

Brooke Lawrence, 41, band manager for Dean Crawford and Dunns River Band, which performed before Money, said she wouldn’t miss the last act of the fair.

“The first concert I saw him, I was 17,” Lawrence said. “I saw him at Merriweather once and in Washington, once. I’d say he looks good for his age. The music is timeless.”

Dressed in black, high top sneakers, jeans, black shirt and a pin-striped jacket – which he quickly ditched in the humidity – Money continued with his hits, including “Walk on Water,” and “I Wanna Go Back.” He also sang a ballad, “One More Soldier,” which he dedicated to U.S. servicemen in Iraq and Afghanistan, pointing to the huge flag hanging over the crowd and Monday's July 4 celebration.

The still shaggy-haired crooner looked to be enjoying himself on stage as much as the audience loved seeing him during the 75-minute set. Money grabbed his saxophone on numerous occasions through the night, and kept coming with hits like, “Two Tickets To Paradise,” “You Really Got A Hold On Me,”  “I Think I’m In Love,” and “Take Me Home Tonight,” (with the crowd subbing for Ronnie Spector), getting everyone to their feet several times.

His two-song encore included, “Everybody Rock ‘n’ Roll,” and the 1982-classic “Shakin’,” the song everyone seemed to be waiting for.

“I saw him before, years ago at Merriweather Post,” said Tara Sams, 42, attending with her girlfriend, Missy Ritter, 44. “’Shakin’ is my favorite. I've lived here 15-20 years, but this is the first time I’ve come to the fair.

"I wanted to see Eddie Money.”