Corey “Bo Bo” Tibbetts was feelin’ the love at the Break-A-Leg Send Off Party at Brady’s Restaurant Jan. 12. He leaves Thursday, Jan.16 for Nashville to audition Jan. 18 in the open call for “The Voice.”

Brady’s owner Jen Mitchell, Julie Roberts, Darrell Gudroe and Tom and Patty Minerich cooked up the idea. “We talked about having this for him so everyone could come together and show their support.”

And that’s just what several hundred people did. And, said Mitchell, “It was crazy fantastic! When I called Bo Bo to tell him we were having this event for him he was a bit reluctant ... and, really, I didn’t give him a choice (about coming)!”

Laughing, Bo Bo said, “No she didn’t! I was a little nervous about it. I didn’t know what to expect. It was overwhelming in a good way. Special.”

Bo Bo performed several songs for the crowd: “Walkin’ In Memphis,” “Whipping Post,” “Budapest,” “Johnny Be Good,” “Take Me To Church,” “S.O.B” and “The Twist.”

Other karaoke singers included Bo Bo’s niece Addie Barter, Suzie Edwards, Scott Edwards, Glenn “Ginc” Burnham, Skip Morgan, and emcee Gudroe.

Unbeknownst to Bo Bo, the event was also a fundraiser. In a clever play on the show biz phrase “Break a leg,” a fisherman’s boot wrapped in bandages was transformed into a donation collector. Different businesses donated gift certificates, gift baskets and other items in one of the two raffles; the other was a cash 75/25 (the winner donated it all to the kitty). Mitchell estimated $1,400 had been raised.

A performer most of his life, a photo board with shots of Bo Bo performing in community theater shows, particularly of his role in the musical “Godspell” in the 90s, was set up in the entryway.

“It’s been amazing, the show of support and love everyone has shown me. And the generosity has been insane. I never asked for it,” he said the day after the event. “The way the community has come together means more than anything – and everyone was having a good time. It was fun. I really appreciate (Brady’s) for doing this for me.”

Bo Bo was a bit nervous over the weekend, too. Seems his audition pass didn’t arrive at the end of last week as it was supposed to. But, phew, it came Monday.

His audition time is around 2 p.m. and he’s still keeping his song selections to himself. “I don’t want any outside influences,” he explained.

So far he’s not feeling nervous about the audition, but “Every day it gets closer. I have the pass now … there’s more anticipation every day,” he said laughing heartily. “Once I’m on the plane it will sink in! I just want to go have fun and see what happens.”

And as he flies toward his date with destiny, we’ll be on that flight with him. When his name (or number) is called at 2 p.m. this Saturday and he’s walking to his place on the stage, Bo Bo knows he won’t be there alone … we’ll all be there cheering our hometown man on.

Break a leg, Bo Bo!