Humberson helping Kansas to 'carry on'
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

Staff Photo by Benjamin Sharp Jerry Humberson, manager of Collins Music Center in Wharton, practices the songs he will play tonight during a concert by the classic rock band Kansas.

As a bass clarinet player with the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra, Burr resident Jerry Humberson was overjoyed to hear his musical group will back the classic rock band Kansas tonight in a Stafford Centre performance.

But he was a bit surprised to learn he won't be playing his chosen instrument; he'll be on the keys instead.

Humberson said the orchestra's director asked him about a week ago to handle the keyboard duties for tonight's show. Though that's not his usual role with the group, Humberson was more than willing to take it on.

"I said I definitely want to play."

Settling in behind the keys is actually quite familiar to Humberson. The manager of Collins Music Center of Wharton, he is well known for conducting piano lessons and for dazzling crowds with his skills as a pianist.

In some ways, Humberson is more at home behind a keyboard than anywhere else. He's been playing since the third grade and attended Wharton County Junior College as a piano major. But over the years, Humberson's musical prowess has expanded beyond the confines of a single instrument. In addition to piano and clarinet, Humberson is also adept at saxophone and flute.

Just over a decade ago, the 53-yearold's love of music led him to the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra. The volunteer group practices once a week and performs about six concerts each year.

Tonight will be the first time Humberson has backed a famous band as a member of the orchestra. And it will be the first time he's handled the keys, also.

"I've never played piano with the symphony yet. It's my debut," Humberson said, smiling.

Preparing for the performance has required Humberson to not only practice well known Kansas favorites like Dust in the Wind and Carry On Wayward Son, but to also fine-tune his sound.

"I had to have a certain sound available for the band," he said.

Humberson isn't the only Wharton County resident who will be participating in tonight's concert. Others include Coleman Locke, who plays tuba for the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra; and Michelle Rodriguez, who plays French horn. Tonight's show is billed as the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Kansas's hit song, Point Of Know Return. The band - from Topeka, Kan. - is was known for several "progressive rock" hits in the 1970s and has continued to tour over the years.

The show begins at 9 p.m. tonight at the Stafford Centre, which is located off Cash Road in Stafford. For information, call 281-208-6900 or visit: www. staffordcentre.com

Humberson is thrilled to be a participant in the performance.

"I'm really looking forward to it. It's exciting," he said.