Features Editor

Pike Countians loved country music when country wasn’t cool. Now that the traditional sounds of country are making a comeback, Pike County is a part of that revival.

Country music roots "run deep" in the South and many older folks in Pike County grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry and the legends of traditional country music.

As times changed, so did country music, however, the music of Hank Williams Sr., Loretta Lynn and the others like them has endured.

"New Country" singers might walk away with the awards for a while, but it seems that the traditional sounds of country always make a comeback, said Mike Swindall, owner of Swindall’s Park Pavilion.

"You might think it’s gone away, but traditional country music is here to stay," he said. "There will always be people who love the kind of country music people my age and older grew up listening to. Right now, there’s a revival of traditional music going on. People of all ages and all walks of life are caught up in it and we want to be a part of bringing back traditional country music in 2001."

So, Friday night from 8 p.m. until midnight, Swindall will host a country concert featuring the best of the old and some of the new.

"We have a lot of events at the park and, folks have asked us to have a country music show," Swindall said. "We’ve put together a great country music band, which is made up of musicians from several bands. The band is called Golden Country because that’s what they’ll play – all the best country music from Hank Williams to George Strait. Anyone who loves country music will enjoy this widespread concert of country music."

Doran Burton, a popular Pike County country music singer, will be a featured singer with the band.

Burton will sing top country hits of stars including Marty Robbins, Hank Sr., Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Ernest Tubb and Faron Young.

The concert will also include songs of other favorite country music artists such as Alan Jackson, Emmy Lou Harris, John Michael Montgomery, Hank Jr., Conway Twitty, Willie Nelson and Travis Tritt.

The concert will be one that any lover of country music will not want to miss.

"We have a large dance floor for those who want to dance and plenty of seating space if you just want to rock back and listen," Swindall said. "This will be a night for family enjoyment. You can bring the kids because what we will present is good country music and dancing in a clean, friendly atmosphere."

Hotdogs and hamburgers will be available for those who want supper or a midnight snack.

"You can eat before you come, but we’ll have plenty there for you if you don’t," Swindall said. "We hope to have a good crowd for our first country music concert. If we have a good response, we’ll do it again."

Swindall’s Park Pavilion is located

2.5 miles south of Troy on Highway 231. Turn left on County Road 14 and the pavilion is 300 yards on the right.

Tickets will be available at the door.