Fans, friends, and family filled Longtown’s Plumb Theatre Friday night, April 25, to give keyboard specialist Cookie Eller a spirited 80th birthday celebration.

The youngest audience member ever in attendance was present— Cookie’s 4-day-old great, great grandchild.

One of the highlights of the festive evening was a duet by the newborn’s two older sisters who sang, “Let Me Tell You about My Jesus.” Also a song or two by a 3-year-old great grandson, and many other “Happy birthday, Nanna” throughout the evening.

“They’re wonderful,” Cookie exclaimed. “I know they’re mine, but I speak the truth.” The audience seemed to fully agree.

Friday nights are gospel night at the Plumb, and this birthday night was no exception. Cookie sat almost center stage at her sequin-decorated keyboard in front of a red sequined backdrop, accompanying many singers lifting their voices for the Almighty.

When Plumb owner Paul Maloy bellowed out one of his originals that should have—and maybe did—hit the gospel charts, the audience responded with three claps every time he sang, “When the devil comes knocking (clap, clap, clap) let Jesus through the door.”

Plumb audiences always seem to feel a sense of togetherness with the performers on stage. Many audience members joined in singing “Jesus got ahold of my life and he won’t let me go” and others with remarkable lyrics.

The showstopper was a solo by Cookie which used to bring a particular woman to her feet to clap her hands and sing it with her.

That woman, who is recovering in a nursing home now, attributes her progress to Cookie, who still frequently sings “Feel the Joy” to her over the telephone.

When Cookie began this song, the already peppy audience perked up and kept the cheer as she concluded singing, “I feel the joy of the Lord falling fresh on me. I feel the joy of the Lord delivering me. I feel the joy of the Holy Ghost all over me. I have been loosed; I’ve been set free. So, pardon me a moment while I have a jubilee, For the joy of the Holy Ghost is all over me.”

Jubilee was in full force Friday night at the Plumb. What a joyful birthday celebration!