Posted on Sun, May. 30, 2004


Concert draws crowd in grass skirts, starched shirts

By Shirley Jinkins

Star-Telegram Staff Writer


IRVING - George Strait best summed up Saturday's cross-cultural, country-Caribbean concert at Texas Stadium.

"There's a fine line between parrotheads and rednecks," he observed before kicking off his sundown set, customary Strait-style, country-swing that was sandwiched between Alan Jackson's straw-hat music and Jimmy Buffett's island chic.

How true. On the extreme end of the spectrum were the parrotheads in their grass skirts, coconut shell bras (on guys and girls) and outrageous headgear. A few conservative men in pressed jeans and buttoned-up western shirts were among them, but most of the crowd wore a comfortable melange of Hawaiian shirts and flower leis right along with their jeans and cowboy hats.

Jackson's opening set was as lighthearted as his Hawaiian shirt of palm trees and bucking broncs. It was time for Summertime Blues and Chattahoochie, augmented by a chorus line of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

George Strait, looking pretty relaxed, joined Jackson for their Designated Drinker duet, then later Jimmy Buffett really got the crowd going when he and Jackson sang the party anthem, It's Five O'Clock Somewhere.

Strait also had guests during his part of the show. Jackson emoted with him on Murder on Music Row and Buffett joined in on the best-ever version of All My Exes Live In Texas.

It's been a long time since we've seen Strait so early in the concert rotation (he's a born closer), but his newer material including Cowboys Like Us and Desperately, played just as well before dark.

Buffett came on alone with his guitar ("the original Coral Reefer band," he laughed) after a couple of dancers twirled to The Banana Boat Song. The early part of his concert included Gypsies in the Palace and Changes in Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes, plus material from his upcoming album License To Chill.

Jackson and Buffett performed a great version of Guy Clark's Boats To Build, a natural for Buffett's island-inspired set list.

The entire evening was a rare treat, indeed -- the chance to see old favorites break out of their well-crafted personas and mix it up a little bit with their complementary music.