“Midnight Train to Georgia,” Gladys Knight’s signature tune, was a fitting finale for her March 3 concert and for the Knox Concert Series’ 66th season.

Adding to the buzz of the sold-out season’s denouement was the presence of Knight’s “Dancing with the Stars” partner, Tristan MacManus, and a Los Angeles film crew that was in Anniston to get promotional footage for her TV appearance, which begins Monday.

After the show, MacManus amiably posed for photos with concertgoers, including a group of Oxford High School student volunteers who promised to vote for the duo.

Traditionally, Knox’s grand finale concert is also “Charter Night,” when concertgoers are encouraged to subscribe to next year’s season. Board members wearing flashing blue stars circulated through the audience, wooing them with incentives of a $20 subscription discount, drawings for dinners and a gift – this year an engraved mini flashlight.

When chairman Rick Westbrook took to the stage to announce that the 2012-13 season’s opening night artist will be Ronnie Dunn (of Brooks and Dunn), sales became more brisk. Mandi King, series president, reported that 50 percent of the season was sold.

Westbrook also took the opportunity to recognize and thank the evening’s concert underwiters: Alabama Power, BB&T Bank, Drs. Clint and Shelley Ray, Buster Miles Auto Dealerships, Abernathy & Timberlake Associates, and Warren, Averett, Kimbrough and Marino CPAs.

The finale finale of the evening was a lovely reception at Anniston Country Club, where the theme song might have been “Never Can Say Goodbye,” as guests lingered in the warm glow of a good season, likeminded friends and gracious hospitality provided by club staff and manager Chip Howell.

A long buffet snaked down the middle of the ballroom. In the center was an oversized floral arrangement. Steaming trays offered an array of late-night fare that included Swedish meatballs, carved roast beef, shrimp cocktail, oysters, fried ravioli, tortellini alfredo, vegetable spring rolls and mini-desserts.

A week after the concert, on March 6, chairmen Lesa Cummings, Lee Merrill and Janice Powell entertained their charter calling committee with a coffee for volunteers, who will conclude the spring subscription offer in April.

The “coffee and pastries” affair was held at Powell’s Glenwood Terrace home, and was attended by more than a dozen of the ladies who will make reminder calls to members to take advantage of the “spring sale.”

As they enjoyed an array of homemade delicacies prepared by the hostesses, Mandi King (Knox president) thanked them and promised the coming year’s programming will be as stellar as this year’s.

In addition to Ronnie Dunn as the pops headliner, other events she announced were the musical “A Chorus Line,” Moscow Festival Ballet Gala and the China National Symphony. One more show, TBA, will round out the season.

To share your news with Small Talk, contact Annette Maddox at starsmalltalk@yahoo.com.

Save the Date

Knox Concert Series has announced its 2012-13 season:

Oct. 11: Ronnie Dunn

Jan. 19, 2013: Chinese National Orchestra

Feb. 22, 2013: Moscow Festival Ballet

March: “A Chorus Line”

April: One more to be announced!

For information, call Lee Merrill at 256-741-8262.