LANCASTER — Tears flowed from the eyes of Judy Clum and Sharon Kraft as Amett Howard dedicated his rendition of Steve Wonder's song "I Just Called to Say I Love You" to them.

Howard, a trumpet player and jazz artist, made the special an- nouncement to honor Judy and Sharon's par- ents, Bob and Betty Clum, during his perfor- mance at The Lancaster Festival on Friday night.

Bob Clum died in March, and Betty Clum was unable to make the show, Judy Clum said.

"Our parents were in love with Amett. They would get his schedule and follow him around to the Tomato Festival, Oc- tober Fest, anywhere," Sharon said. "Tonight, we are sitting in the same seats that they used to sit in when they come to see Amett play here at Lan- caster Fest," she added.

Judy Clum and Kraft said Amett always gave a copy of his new CD to her father, played at her par- ents 50th wedding an- niversary and played "Swing Low Sweet Chari- ot" at her father's funeral.

Howard's show, titled "A Tribute to the Three Louies: Armstrong, Jor- dan and Prima," included vocalist Kelly Crum Delaveris and Red Stamets.

Howard and his band played to a crowd of all ages. Dozens arrived in Lancaster's town square to feast on a variety of music for their ears and food for their stomachs.

The bandstand where Howard performed was lined with venders selling anything from fish sand- wiches to cheesecake.

Howard's perfor- mance, with its New Or- leans jazz sound and Caribbean beats, moved theClumsand many oth- er Lancaster Festivalgo- ers.

"We have been coming here for as long as The Festival has been going on, and my wife is an Ar- nett groupie," Bruce Johnson said.

Grace and Ken Norris of Pickerington said they have been coming to see Howard perform at The Lancaster Festival for three years and love the different performers that he brings with him every year.

"He used to perform here when the show was Amett Howard and the Creole Band, and we have loved coming here ever since then," Grace Norris said.

Spurred on by the mu- sic, children and adults danced the night away.

"Me and Bruce (John- son) get up and dance all the time when we come here. You can't help it," Debb Johnson said.

Others were content to stay in there seat and ap- preciate the music.

"For some of us, dance is just a spectator thing. I love listening though," Ken Norris.

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