Green Country country

Matt Cauthron

Some performers just have that undefinable "It," like they can't even help but be cool. When I think about "It," names like Mick Jagger and Prince come to mind, icons seemingly more famous for being cool than for their considerable musical achievements.

And somehow amid these icons of cool, beyond all reason or rational explanation, a slightly goofy looking fellow -- with a country twang in his voice and a cowboy hat pulled down over his eyes -- possesses this indefinable quality as well. Somehow, Dwight Yoakam has "It."

I never would've thought this, but I saw him perform many years ago, opening for Willie Nelson at an outdoor stage near Lawton. I was almost totally unfamiliar with him. I knew his hit song "Guitars, Cadillacs," and I had recently seen him give a superb acting performance in the Billy Bob Thornton film "Sling Blade." But from that small sample, I never would've guessed that he was in possession of "It."

He took the stage and immediately whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Women reacted as if he were the second coming of Elvis. He did this move where he held one leg up in the air and shuffled his other foot side to side and just sort of hovered around the stage -- and he did it for an entire song. It was like Chuck Berry's duck-walk, except more impressive and somehow even cooler.

I realize as I write this that the word I keep coming back to is "cool." There's really no other way to say it. Whatever slangy cultural meaning that word has acquired since it arrived on the linguistic scene, all of it applies to Dwight Yoakam. The man is just cool.

Apparently I'm not the only one who reveres Mr. Yoakam, because his show this Friday night at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa is sold out. But there's always room for hope. Check out sites like Craigslist and Stub Hub for last minute sellers and you might just get lucky.

Lady Antebellum at BOK

If you like your country music a bit more on the contemporary side (and you want an easier time finding tickets), check out Lady Antebellum on Friday, Jan. 27, at the BOK Center.

The trio has sold more than 5 million records, and their most recent release, "Own the Night," debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top 200 last month. The group has scored four No. 1 singles in its relatively short career, and is nominated for a slew of awards at this year's Country Music Awards.

Tickets start at just $25 and can be purchased here.