FANS TURN OUT TO GREET ALL-4-ONE

Clusters of two and three stood by the windows in Club Jeremiah and looked down over Water Street. Where are they? they asked.

There was no certain look to the crowd, besides the looks of anticipation they all shared. Sixth-graders stood next to college students, who stood next to 40somethings. There were guys and girls, mothers and fathers present, and they all had something in common.

Everyone was waiting to meet All-4-One.

Approximately 35 fans were on hand to meet and greet the Grammy award-winning singing group at an autograph-signing session at Jeremiah's restaurant Saturday. The fans brought cameras, roses, T-shirts, CDs, and even noisemakers to the party.

"We got these (noisemakers) from Katie," said Delious, one of the group members, as he idly twirled it. Katie Richardson, 12, lives in Cape Girardeau. She gave Delious, Jamie Jones, Tony Borowiak, and Alfred Nevarez noisemakers that said "Love Katie" because she said they were nice people who deserved something in return for their autograph.

"I wanted to give them something because they're giving everybody their autograph," she said.

Even though the group, which performed at the Show Me Center Saturday night, was late, none of their fans seemed to mind. For many, it was the first time they would meet the boys in the band. Any band.

"We've never actually met anyone famous before," said Jennifer Cox, 16, and her sister Jessica, 12, of Sikeston. They said they were looking forward to meeting the group because "they sound good."

According to many of the female fans, and several of the moms in the crowd, the group members "looked good" too. At least three moms were heard to say "They are cute!" as their daughters waited in line for autographs.

Merchandiser and keyboardist Jeff Mullen said the look and the sound of the group had wholesome appeal to parents. "Their wholesome image is real," Mullen said, "and they have a wholesome show that any parent would allow their child to attend. The guys just like to have fun."

Shanda and Shonda Mitchell, 13, of Cape Girardeau, and Jamie Johnston, 17, of De Soto were given concert tickets for their birthdays. They all said the trip to the conert was a good present, but the opportunity to meet the group was an added bonus.

The Cape Girardeau concert was the second in a two-week tour of small cities for the group. They are promoting their album "And the Music Speaks," which will be released next spring.