Andy Williams, a 20th-century entertainment icon, made an appearance in Vero Beach Sunday, but on this day, his music had to take a back seat to his words.

Instead, the focus was on his newly released memoir entitled “Moon River and Me.”

The book traces Williams’ rise from an Iowa farm boy to an international singing legend with 18 gold and three platinum albums.

In an hour-long presentation, Williams regaled the sold-out crowd at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center with revealing anecdotes from his book and then followed the memories with bits of musical numbers, including some “Moon River,’’ that drew appreciative applause from the audience of 1,000.

Williams is 81 years old, but he appeared younger and relaxed as well in a seersucker suit, Wimbeldon T-shirt, baseball cap and tennis shoes.

Williams was joined on stage by local radio personality Hamp Elliott, who prompted the entertainer with questions about his memoir.

Williams told about how tough times got at one point during the 1950’s before he got a contract with a record label.

“Once I even ate Alpo dog food during the low times,” Williams admitted. “It was tasty.”

Audience member Lolly Mills of Vero Beach, also originally from Iowa, said she could identify with stories Williams told about growing up.

“I am excited to get to see him in person because I have always thought he had a lovely voice and was a lovely person,” Mills said. “I ordered his book two months ago and now I can’t wait to read it.”

Although Williams has been a celebrated musical artist for decades, it took urging from his son, Bobby, to convince him to turn his talents towards writing.

“My son asked me a few years ago if I was going to write my memoir,” Willaims said. “When I answered ‘yes.’ he said well, you better start soon,” he laughed.

Williams told the audience he spent one year writing every day until he finished his book.

Friends and co-workers Terri Giles and Marge Coupe, both of Vero Beach, used the book event as an occasion to celebrate Coupe’s recent birthday.

“This what I got Marge for her birthday,” said Giles. “I took a chance she would enjoy seeing Andy Williams because I know she is from his era.”

“I was surprised and happy with my gift because I have listened to his singing for years and used to watch him on television,” said Coupe. “His is real music, not that screeching stuff that we hear today where you can’t even understand the words.”

Williams’ fans can see him perform at his own theater in Branson, Missouri. He insists that he has no intention of retiring and told the audience that “age is not important, it’s what you do with your time.” The final sentence in his book reads, “The last chapter of my life is still to come.”

The book event was sponsored by the Vero Beach Book Center and Viking Press, the publisher of “Moon River and Me.”

– Sharman P. Moore