“How many people can achieve that level of greatness and then chuck it all to go off on a dream?” That comment, overheard in Music Hall Sunday night, summed up Mike Reid, the Grammy-winning songwriter and former All-Pro defensive tackle for the Bengals, headlining the Cincinnati Pops' sports show.

        Mr. Reid has combined music and football his whole life, first appearing with the Pops in 1972 while still an active player.

        But it is music that continues to propel him into the spotlight — as he pens hits for the likes of Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Wynonna Judd and Bonnie Raitt.

        On Sunday, the singer/songwriter sat his 6-foot-3 frame down at a piano bench and held the Pops crowd spellbound for most of an hour, rescuing the show that had a lackluster start in the first half — despite the presence of Johnny Bench and Bob Trumpy.

        He was a consummate entertainer, funny and warm as he shared hit tunes, jumping out of his seat to add stories. He launched into “In This Life,” after saying, “I wrote this for Celine Dion; unfortunately, she refused to record it. So Collin Raye and Bette Midler did it.”

        He sang from the heart, whether it was his opening “Stranger in My House” (written for Ronnie Milsap) or his favorite song by Irving Berlin, “What'll I Do.”

        Mr. Reid has the uncanny ability to bang out a vamp on the piano while delivering a narrative. His hilarious spoof on country music was the intro to Hank Williams' “I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry,” where he sang in a husky but true baritone. I won't divulge the punch line, but a story about his great-grandmother, warm milk and Jim Beam led into Mr. Reid's over-the-top performance of “Freddy's Ever Ready Rag,” an exuberant mix of rag and rock 'n'roll.

        Lately, Mr. Reid has returned to his classical roots, composing musical theater, chamber music and even opera. Nashville singer Mike Eldred wowed the audience with the soaring ballad, “Bright November Morning,” from Mr. Reid's football opera, Different Fields. The two also sang an impromptu duet from Mr. Reid's musical, The Ballad of Little Jo, which opened in Chicago and is now headed to London.

        Mr. Reid connected with the audience; by the end, he had them all singing lustily along in “Glory of Love.” But, despite their cheers, the show did not go into overtime.

        Much of the first half, led by Pops maestro Erich Kunzel, seemed like filler. Hall of Famer Johnny Bench narrated “Casey at the Bat” persuasively; Mr. Trumpy, who was a bit stiff in “Freddie the Football,” was best when the text had him describing plays.

        The Pops repeats at 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: 381-3300.

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