Fortune, Williamses bring music to the Augusta Medical Center

FISHERSVILLE __ Genevieve King, 93, tapped her fingers to "This Land is My Land" while her daughter, Sue Brittle, patted along in rhythm Friday afternoon. She had braided her mother's hair, and it looked neat against the pillow in the reclining chair.

This was no ordinary day at Augusta Medical Center.

Jimmy Fortune and Robin and Linda Williams brought their guitars and a banjo to the hospital lobby to perform, just hours before kicking off the 4th annual Fortune-Williams Music Festival in Staunton. This weekend's performances will include the titled musicians as well as the music of dozens of others and a Sunday show by Garrison Keillor of radio show and feature film "Prairie Home Companion."

"We really want you to feel the love of what will be going on this weekend," Fortune told the crowd of patients, visitors and staff.

Tapping hands and feet returned the feeling as music filled the lobby's atrium and spirits danced.

"This makes you forget about your aches and pains," Brittle said.

And then two volunteers dressed in pink smocks danced ‹ really danced.

Gloria McCrann just couldn't help herself when the trio played "Country Roads Take Me Home." She was on her feet and grabbing Ellen Huffman before the first refrain and they twirled behind the Information Desk.

"We were going to go out there on the floor, but we were afraid we'd get fired," McCrann grinned.

Cameron Michael Marsh wasn't quite dancing yet, but the 3-day-old seemed to enjoy the music as he made the trip home from the hospital. His mother, Amanda Evans of Waynesboro, gave birth on Tuesday. While waiting for Cameron's dad, Adam Marsh, to bring the car around, she held her newborn and they listened to "Amazing Grace."