The first entertainer Nelson booked into the new venue was Anne Murray. "We stuck our necks out when we booked her, because we didn't know how it would turn out," Nelson said. However, Murray loved playing in the small amphitheater, and she was a big hit with the opening-night audience. That gave Nelson the courage to book other acts.

Nelson is currently in the process of booking the 2005 season. So far, Charlie Daniels and the Lovin' Spoonful have been signed. "I should have the schedule finalized in another (two) weeks," she said.

The majority of the amphitheater's patrons are from Davis County, she said. "We get people from Weber and Salt Lake, but most of the people are local."

Thomas said that Davis County residents have taken the amphitheater to heart. "They feel like it's their own."

Nelson added that she is already taking calls from people who want to know who'll be appearing this summer. "They say, who do 'we' have coming?"

The Kenley Centennial Amphitheater is located at 403 N. Wasatch Drive, Layton. Concert and ticket information can be accessed on the Web at www.davisarts.org.

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E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com