Not many would have predicted that a bona-fide rock music icon would get his start on the homespun “Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” television show in the 1950s.  But Ozzie and Harriet’s younger son Ricky became a sensation after performing on the show.

It’s often forgotten just how popular Nelson was because of being overshadowed by other artists, but from 1957 to 1962 he had 30 Top-40 hits.  That’s more than any other artist at the time except Elvis Presley (who had 53) and Pat Boone (38).

In the late 1970s, Nelson made an appearance at the Solano County Fair and Change had to be there.

“I got in early and was front row center for the concert,” Chaney said. “I worked up the nerve right before intermission and asked how I could get an album I brought with me signed and I was told to go around back after the show.”

Chaney got much more than a signed album however.  Nelson motioned to his bodyguards to let her through and she joined him for ice cream and conversation.

“I felt very special and he and everyone else was nice and introduced themselves and said ‘Nice to meet you’” Chaney said.  “He may have been Ricky Nelson on stage, but offstage he was just Rick like any other normal person.”

In 1985 when Nelson died in a plane crash, Chaney “cried for a week.” Nelson still holds a special place in her heart and she snatched up a copy of the DVD “Ricky Nelson Sings” produced by the icon’s children.  She also intends to attend a concert next year featuring James Burton, guitarist for Nelson, Elvis and many others.

A NEW OBSESSION

Chaney now considers herself a huge fan of classical conductor and violinist Andre Rieu.

“At Rieu’s concerts the women wear brightly colored gowns and then men wear tuxedos but even the orchestra will swing and sway – they don’t just sit there like they are frozen,” Chaney said.  “The audience can clap, can dance can waltz – he even brought water and made people gargle.  He’s just different and I have everything he’s put out.”

Chaney isn’t alone in her obsession and while the behavior Rieu fans exhibit is similar to that of fans of pop groups there is a crucial difference: their age.

“At the encores of his concerts Rieu invites everyone on stage (actually I said to the stage) and if you’re 60 years old you are the young one,” change said.  “I call them gray-haired groupies.”

Chaney has a Rieu fan website (www.AndreRieuFans.com) and occasionally has to referee disputes between the legions of fans of the violinist.

“I had to ban a couple of women from my Website because they would literally get into arguments about who was his biggest fan and these were women in their 70s,” Chaney said.  “In my eyes his number one fan is Marjorie his wife.  That’s the way it should be.”

Still, Chaney herself shows her obsession with a license plate on her car which reads” RIEU FAN” and follows the conductor and his orchestra on tour  She’s met Rieu a number of times at his shows, but balked at the $1,600 price tag for a meet-and-greet this time around.

Chaney is always surprised when so few people have heard of the very popular musician known the world over.  (Last year in Australia nine of the top ten music DVDs sold were Rieu’s.)  She attributes it to a simple fact.

“He doesn’t get that much recognition in the press because he’s been married for 35 years and his children are normal."