Please Come to My ’80s Country Music Festival
When I was at Telluride, I posed this question to my friend and fellow festivarian: “If you could book your own festival, who would you get?” Almost instantly, she decided on a ’80s country music theme, and I was immediately interested. Since we were just sitting around waiting for a band to start, we decided to go ahead and build the schedule. Here’s what we came up with:
On Saturday at noon, we’d have “80’s Ladies,” hosted by Barbara Mandrell, with special appearances from K.T. Oslin, Sylvia and maybe the Judds, if they’d agree to an early set. Ronnie Milsap and Crystal Gayle would take the afternoon slots. (We originally thought of Don Williams, but he’s retired.) In the evening, we’d get Randy Owen to sing, but stay within the 1980s parameters for all those Alabama classics. Reba McEntire and George Strait would be the headliners - but they couldn’t go past 1990. To me, that’s some of the best country music that’s ever been recorded.
Sunday afternoon would begin with the either the Bellamy Brothers or the Oak Ridge Boys. Anne Murray would go on next, because her voice is always so calm, just right for a lazy afternoon. Randy Travis would hold the early evening position, making way for long, back-to-back sets by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. No one in between, how could we be wrong?
All this reminds me of a line from “The Weekend,” that Steve Wariner ’80s classic: “You fell in love for the weekend but I’ll be in love for the rest of my life.” Or at least in love with this music. But since it’s not a reality (yet), here’s a playlist that will get me by.
“Somebody’s Knockin’,” Terri Gibbs
“If You Ever Changed Your Mind,” Crystal Gayle
“The Last One to Know,” Reba McEntire
“It Ain’t Cool to Be Crazy About You,” George Strait
“Redneck Girl,” Bellamy Brothers
“Could I Have This Dance,” Anne Murray
“Diggin’ Up Bones,” Randy Travis
“Islands in the Stream,” Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
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PatsyJean says:
Where do I get my ticket?!
Danny says:
Yes, those tickets would be worth something! But whatever the cost I would be there!
Chase says:
Sounds great but Barbara Mandrell would HAVE TO sing “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool”. That is the country music anthem of the 1980’s and possibly all time.
Bernie says:
Count me in! Too bad this is just someone’s “dream” concert!
Jennifer says:
I was born in 1980 and the soundtrack to my childhood - 80s country - is my favorite music ever. I would DEFINITELY go to your 80s country music festival. :) I hope you caught the George Strait tour when Ronnie Milsap was the opening act. Fun times!
J.R. Journey says:
I am there! I would totally love a festival like this …
Oh and the Steve Wariner line is ‘you had some fun for the weekend, but I’ll be in love for the rest of my life’
Craig Shelburne says:
You are right about that lyric! I “learned” it that way as a kid, and still sing it like that… But hey, it’s my festival… Just kidding, thanks for noticing that.