Peanut Fest's country fans to get taste of Cracker

By Frank Roberts

Correspondent

SUFFOLK

For dyed-in-the-wool country music fans, a double feature of Little Texas and Restless Heart is a treat as both groups have performed at the Suffolk Peanut Festival.

As for Cracker, this will be the group's first appearance in Suffolk.

Cracker

Th e guys are down-to-earth with their music and comedy, sometimes way down.

"We've stepped out on a limb," said Linda B. Stevens, the festival's executive director. "I've heard they mellowed somewhat and that they put on an outstanding show. They've promised not to use any foul language."

Yet, they do have a mix of satire and rock. "There's an irony in what we do," said band member David Lowery. "It's a blessing and a curse, mostly a blessing.

"We sing about the way we see the world. People who tend to understand us stay with us, but some people in the United States don't get our kind of humor."

It is tongue-in-cheek humor. But goofiness is a Cracker's trademark. During their 17 years, the band has garnered eight gold records and has played in 21 countries.

Little Texas

This rockin' country group got off to a blazin' start in 1988 and has since kept up the heat. Their first album, "First Time For Everything," doled out five singles that landed on Billboard's country charts.

Their 1993 album, "Big Time" sold more than three million copies and spawned three Top 5 singles.

"It's been 20 years of Little Texas," said member Duane Propes.

"People are bombarded with videos, but they want to get out more and see shows. That's a lot of fun for everybody," he said.

As for Sunday's show, Propes said, "we'll be doing a lot of hits - a slew of stuff. We're more high energy now than we ever were before. You can compare it to a Van Halen show."

Not bad for a group where the average age is 41.

"We'll keep going till we just can't anymore," Propes promised. "I'll keep going as long as my knees hold out."

Restless Heart

Here is a band that did almost as well on the adult contemporary charts as on the country charts.

They have been at it since 1984, with their biggest successes in the '80s and '90s when they charted 15 Top 10 singles, including six No. 1 hits.

From 1996 to 2002, they were on the inactive list. When they got back together, they cut "Still Restless."

Restless Heart attributes its success to the times.

"Radio and fans were so glad to see us," said member Larry Stewart. "We were lucky and had some really good songs. We have a history and a fan base."

As with other artists that had their greatest successes in decades past, radio is of little help, "except for classic radio or major stations that play oldies but goodies," he said. "Anyway, we don't have to stress over anything. We enjoy playing, singing and making people smile."

Frank Roberts, FRoberts73@yahoo.com