Rudy Gatlin is ... a
... card
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July 22, 2011 |
 I
was surprised on Wednesday, July 13, to get a
call at work from Katrina Tsang, who introduced
herself in a southern drawl as a publicist of
some kind.
"Wanted to let you know that legendary country
group Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers are
headed to Bonners Ferry for a show on August 6
in downtown Bonners Ferry," she said. "I wanted
to offer you a phone interview with the Gatlins
in support of the upcoming show. Let me know if
you are interested and I'll be glad to set
something up. Thanks!"
I knew that, already had it listed in the events
column; August 6:
Gatlin Brothers to perform at Mountain Fest II: Begins
at 1 p.m. at the Boundary County Fairgrounds
with children's activities, presentations by
ventriloquist and comedian Mark Thompson and
feat of strength by the Strength Team.
Culminates with a concert by country music
giants the Gatlin Brothers. The event is free
and open to the public, to find out more, call
(208) 267-7777.
I knew the Gatlin Brothers were a big deal, but
I thought I'd done my duty just by letting folks
know they were coming. And then Katrina called,
and even sent a follow up email.
In internet parlance, my initial reaction to
what she offered, an interview with a Gatlin
Brother, was OMG! In actual fact, I said, "s su
... sure!"
I grew up listening to country music, thanks to
my Dad, and from my earliest days on, the Gatlin
Brothers were there ... on the radio, on TV.
When I worked for KBFI, I played their songs,
often by request.
Right on time Thursday morning, the phone rang
... "Planning and zoning, can I help you?"
"Uh, this is Rudy Gatlin, did I get the right
number?"
"S su ... sure! OMG! It's Rudy Gatlin!"
"You sure I got the right number?" he asked.
"This is Bonners Ferry ... uh, Indiana?"
"Yes sir, you got the right number, but I'm in
Idaho!"
"Oh man! I read that wrong!" he replied.
"Honest, I did go to school and even college,
but it was in Texas, so I'm still not sure if
that counts!"
Have to forgive him the mistake. The youngest of
the three Gatlin brothers, he's been performing
since age two and a half, cutting records,
writing hit songs and touring now for more than
56 years with a band of brothers who are all
country music legends.
He ran through the essentials, all they've
written and all they've been doing lately. Quick
recap of what the did in the past, replete with
the legendary names of people they worked with;
good friend Johnny Cash and his wife, June ...
June's family, the Carters. Kris Kristofferson
and Rita Coolidge. And all the names,
accomplishments and people he mentioned were but
a by line; side notes in passing.
He was grateful to hear that it's much cooler
here right now than it is in Texas, of how he
and his brothers, Southern born though the are,
have always loved the Pacific northwest.
"That's close to Indiana, in'nit?" he asked,
tongue firmly in cheek.
"No sir, Rudy," I said, "it's right next to
Iowa," I said.
"Iowa? Izzat someplace close to Bonners Ferry?!"
In internet parlance, ROFL LMAO.
Having only heard them in harmony before through
their many hit records, I can't speak for his
brothers. But after my interview, if Rudy gets
three words in edgewise during this concert, all
of us who attend are going to have a hard time
deciding whether to tap our feet, dance, listen
or laugh.
With the whole Gatlin crew on stage, I have this
feeling we'll all be doing all of the above,
along with a lot of cheering, clapping and
having fun. |
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