Delta Dawn certainly shone
 

By MIKELLE SASAKAMOOSE
Staff reporter
Mar 29 2006

But Tanya Tucker deserved a far larger crowd in Kamloops

TNT didn't exactly explode at Interior Savings Centre on Friday night.
But despite the fact Tanya Tucker wasn't her awesome younger self, she was still pretty good.
A bout with bronchitis cancelled an earlier show in Saskatchewan, and though the sickness was still lingering, it was barely noticeable.
Growing up on a ranch, I've always been a huge country music fan.
I spent my younger days wishing my name was Crystal Gale and that I was married to George Strait, while practising Conway Twitty's Tight Fittin' Jeans in front of the bathroom mirror.
(Secret: I still do!)
And I have always been a huge fan of the biggest bad girl in country music.
Through the good times and bad, Tucker has pulled through.
She broke down more barriers in the industry than any Faith Hill or Trisha Yearwood ever imagined.
So, I must say that I was disappointed to see the less- than-flattering turnout at her concert in the Tournament Capital.
Only half of the 5,000-seat Interior Savings Centre was used for the concert, with less than a quarter of those seats being filled.
Tucker opened with Winnipeg singer Alana Levandoski, who reminded me of Norah Jones with a guitar.
Nice voice, but super boring!
The second opening act, on the other hand, was awesome.
Up from Oklahoma, Thomas Martinez and his five-piece guitar band had a lot of energy, great stage presence and even better tunes.
I was so impressed, I brought home a CD.
If I had to compare, I'd say their style was Kenny Chesney/Tobey Keith-ish - very young country, if you know what I mean.
Tucker's set consisted mostly of oldies like Jamestown Ferry, San Antonio Stroll and Strong Enough to Bend since she hasn't had a hit in almost a decade.
And, for the most part, the crowd politely acknowledged the country legend - with the exception of a few good timers.
It's sad, though.
Her stage presence is tired and, as much as I love her old songs, they are just that - old.
At one point she brought her children on stage and had her 16-year-old daughter, Presley, sing a song.
There appears to be some potential, but no replacement material.
So, maybe Tucker wasn't the innovative, carefree, daring musician and all-around cowgirl we used to know.
But, c'mon, she's Tanya Tucker and she deserves a little respect.
And I still love her in the same vein I love Waylon, Willie and the boys.