Fans flock to Manassas to meet country singers

Halifax resident Katie Powell stood in a long, meandering line with her daughter Friday morning in anticipation of a autograph session for Kassidy, Kristyn and Kelsi Osborn the sisters known to the country music world as SHeDAISY.

“We drove in last night, and we’ve been waiting in line since 8 a.m. today,” Powell said.

Powell, 53, and her daughter, Lisa Powell, 15, were the first fans in a line at Wal-Mart in Manassas, that grew to include about 300 people by 11:30 a.m.

“We like SHeDAISY so much. We flew to Las Vegas to see them in concert on Dec. 15,” Katie Powell said. “We’ve even gone to fan fairs to see them.”

Lisa Powell, who carried a picture of her taken with the group in Las Vegas, was looking forward to it being autographed. “I’m a big fan. The group has great harmonies and they’re really sweet girls,” she said.

While they waited for the noon session, eager fans of all ages some adorned with SHeDAISY T-shirts talked about the group and carried SHeDAISY posters, compact discs and pictures.

The group debuted in 1999 with the album, “The Whole SHeBANG,” and is on a promotion tour of their new album “Knock on the Sky.” In the country music genre, it has drawn comparisons to another female group, the Dixie Chicks.

John Wierzbicki, 39, of Centreville, arrived in line at 10:15 a.m., with his camera and a picture of him and the group. “I have to get their autograph on the picture I have,” he said.

When asked why he liked the group, Wierzbicki said “they’re pretty,” and because he liked the lyrics. “I’ve been a fan for three-and-a-half years. I went to a fan fair to meet them in Nashville. Whenever I get a chance, I like to go see most country acts,” he added.

Ashburn resident Marie Clem, 41, who stood in line with her daughter, Erin Clem, 10, and Becky Himler, called the autograph session an “exciting” event. “We’ve been really getting into country music,” Marie Clem, said. “We like the excitement of good music.”

Himler, 11, said this was the first time she ever waited in line for an autograph. “I love SHeDAISY. It will be worth the wait,” she said.

At about 12:10 p.m., the group arrived at the autograph booth bearing their picture. By then, the line of fans had cut a curved swath to the store’s front doors. As the group approached the booth, most fans cheered and applauded. Groups of shoppers also gathered.

After getting her picture signed by the group, Lisa Powell was all smiles. “They were really nice to me, and I took another picture with them,” she said. “They said they remembered me and they liked my Southern accent.”

Katie Powell added it was nice to be able to meet the group again and they were “as nice as can be.”

Also admittedly happy he got an autograph was Nicholas Knight of Alexandria. Knight, 30, said the group “looked famous” and were very friendly. When asked why he liked the group he said, “Because I appreciate their music and I have a crush on Kassidy.”