Not long ago country music critics were predicting the demise of the "hat act." singing cowboys and Grand Old Opry sopranos would soon be a thing of the past. Country music was going "pop," replacing the be-bop music that baby boomers loved in the '60s.
As it turns out, the experts were out to lunch.\In October, for instance, Salt Lake City will welcome three of the most popular performers in country music today: Randy Travis, Alan Jackson and George Strait. All are traditional, conservative, weep-and-strum buckeroos with roots running to Hank Williams, not Andy Williams.
And just for good measure, two woman with hard country reputations will be on the cards: Tammy Wynette - queen of Old Traditionalism - and Johnny Cash's darling stepdaughter Carlene Carter - the princess of New Traditionalism.
Travis and Jackson are first, headlining a triple-bill that features Wynette. The show is slated for Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Salt Palace, 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the Salt Palace ticket office, Smith'sTix outlets and dozens of Chevrolet dealerships around the state. GMC Trucks is sponsoring the tour.
As for George Strait, he and Carlene Carter will team up later in the month - Thursday, Oct. 24 - at the new Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The show will be the first country show in the new facility, so it will be interesting to listen to the acoustics and check out the sight lines in the center to see if future shows will be helped or hindered by the construction. Tickets for that show go on sale Sept. 30 at the Salt Palace and Smith'sTix.
Of all the names flocking to town, Jackson is the one that people are mentioning most. His rise to the top of the country charts has been - as the publicists say - meteoric. He literally came from out of nowhere to win major singing and songwriting honors and cut an album ("Here in the Real World") that went all the way to platinum. "Don't Rock the Jukebox," "Wanted" and "Chasin' that Neon Rainbow" followed.
His angular looks, deep voice and world-class cowboy hat almost make Jackson a symbol for country music itself, just as the saddle bronc rider has become the symbol of rodeo.
Randy Travis, who was once the new kid on the block, is now the seasoned pro, the old vet, the "elder statesman" of country. Almost all of his singles have been country classics. Arguments rage now over which one is the "classiest classic." (Many people lean toward "Forever and Ever Amen" and "Too Gone for Too Long," personally I think "He Walked on Water" is pretty good stuff).
Tammy Wynette will always be known as the "Stand by Your Man" woman, though some of her hits, such as "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" may be more important in the long run. Once known as the "Heroine of Heartbreak," Wynette's marriage to country legend George Jones made headlines for years. Now - like George himself - she considers herself stable and happy and finding new vitality in what was once a sagging career.
Finally, Strait and Carter.
Strait is the straight man, playing everything with gentlemanly Texas charm and a certain mystique. He keeps aloof, doesn't grant interviews ("We don't want to undermine the mystery," says his publicist), but for hard-hitting Texas country, he's a legend in his time.
Carter - who last appeared here at the big KKAT bash that brought about 60,000 people out to an all-day festival - showed a lot of spunk and energy that day, and a sweet, mellow soprano voice that runs smooth and deep.
In all, it's a hard country roundup in October, a heaven for traditionalists. And they'll likely all be out in force.
Call KSOP at 972-1043 for information.