STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Did you know that Patsy Cline convinced Loretta Lynn to shave her legs? That Dolly Parton has written more than 3,000 songs? Or that Parton built Dollywood to ensure that the impoverished people of the Tennessee county where she grew up would always have a job if they needed one?
Trailblazing Women of Country stormed into The Argyros this weekend in a tribute to Women's History Month and three country music trailblazers--Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton.
Apparently, Sun Valley has been starved for a little classic country, as the show sold out nearly as soon as tickets went on sale.
And Miko Marks, CMT's 2022 Next Woman of Country, and Nashville's Kristina Train, delivered, their voices uncannily similar to the three women they were paying tribute to, according to those who saw them.
They were backed by five women on fiddle, keyboard, bass guitar, drums and bass--all of whom got together just two months ago.
Train, an American singer-songwriter who has recorded such albums as "Spilt Milk" and "Dark Black," warmed up the audience with such tunes as "Crazy." Not that the audience needed any warming up, as lively as the heads were nodding in time.
Marks, who is a powerhouse, came in behind her singing such songs as "Coal Miner's Daughter," "Jolene" and “I Will Always Love You” as she told stories of how the women of yesteryear are still impacting the women of today.
She has won a plethora of awards, including 2006 Best New Country Artist, a couple Country Songs of the Year from Independent Music Awards for her song "Freeway Bound" and Country Music Album of the Year.
At nearly two hours without an intermission, it was, certainly, one of the funnest concerts in recent memory. And there's more in store.
The Grammy-nominated Imani Winds will perform on April 13 and the Oberlin Dance Collective on April 20, while Puppy Pals Live! takes place April 21. Need another country fix? Lyle Lovett and his Large Band will perform July 11. To learn more, go to https://theargyros.org.