Rudy Gatlin is ... a ... card
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.