Review: Star power surges as Strait, Jackson and Buffett team up at Texas Stadium
12:20 AM CDT on Sunday, May 30, 2004
By MARIO TARRADELL / The Dallas Morning News

IRVING – If you're going to put Alan Jackson, George Strait and Jimmy Buffett on the same bill, making it a one-of-a-kind shindig, you might as well have them sing in each other's set. You know, like good friends crashing each other's parties.

The crowning moment, of course, was during the encore of Mr. Buffett's headlining gig when he played his new single, a remake of Hank Williams' chestnut "Hey, Good Lookin' " featuring Mr. Jackson and Mr. Strait. It was a fun, laid-back and slightly off-kilter performance.

That was the tail-end scene Saturday night during the trio of superstars' sold-out music extravaganza at Texas Stadium. But it sure wasn't the only example of set hopping. These guys were doing it all through the day.

• Mr. Strait moseyed into Mr. Jackson's show to croon "Designated Drinker." Mr. Buffett also paid a visit during "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," the pair's monster hit duet.

• Mr. Jackson turned up in Mr. Strait's concert to sing "Murder on Music Row" with the Texan. Then, Mr. Buffett arrived to participate in "All My Exes Live in Texas," one of Mr. Strait's signature tunes.

• Mr. Jackson walked on the platform during Mr. Buffett's program to help the chief Parrothead out on a cover of Guy Clark's "Boats to Build." A little later, Mr. Strait came on and they sang "Sea of Heartbreak."

As for the individual shows, here's a rundown:

When Mr. Jackson launched into his cover of Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues," you could feel his pain just as you enjoyed the song. His opening stint caught the brunt of the late afternoon sun. Before long, the lanky Georgia native was drenched in perspiration. Even sitting down for his absorbing take on Hank Williams' "The Blues Man" didn't help.

But like the pro he is, Mr. Jackson never let it show. He delivered a confident set filled with staples of his 14-year career, from "Don't Rock the Jukebox" to "Where I Come From," which featured dancing from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

Mr. Strait didn't have the girls dressed in blue and white during his gig, but he proved to be solid as usual. King George never lets you down. He dipped into oldies – "The Fireman," "Unwound," "Does Fort Worth Cross Your Mind?" – and tapped into cuts from last year's Honkytonkville.

Of particular note, though, are two of Mr. Strait's best singles of the last three years. First, there's "Run," the sexiest, sultriest country ballad ever recorded. Then, "Tell Me Something Bad About Tulsa," one of those slow-burn tunes that wash all over you.

As for Mr. Buffett – in his usual T-shirt, shorts and no shoes – he and his Coral Reefer Band had a blast on that platform. He did the classics – "Cheeseburger In Paradise," "Fins," "Brown Eyed Girl," "Son of a Son of a Sailor" and "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes."

He was pumped up, especially during the encore rendition of "Margaritaville," when Mr. Jackson and Mr. Strait couldn't help but come back to the stage. By then, the crowd was in a suntanned frenzy. That's the ultimate Parrothead compliment.