July 28-August 3, 2005

musicpicks

Jimmie Dale Gilmore

country

Cosmic cowboys. That's what they call the long-haired guys who first asserted their right to rock and still be country. They don't come any more authentic than Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Raised in Lubbock, Texas, Gilmore — who has just turned 60 — attracted plenty of redneck attention back in the '70s when he was one of the original, unorthodox Flatlanders. Their lone recording — first pressing was 8-track only! — was a cult hit, but the band broke up with some members moving to Austin, and Gilmore to an ashram. After that, Gilmore's poetic looks (tall, lean, cheekbones of death and flowing locks) along with his tearful vibrato made him a huge hit with alt-country. Several years ago Gilmore rejoined original Flatlanders Joe Ely and Butch Hancock for some hilariously funny co-writing on their reunion CD and tour. Gilmore is an emblem of aging gracefully, with wisdom and humor.

Sun., July 31, 7 p.m., $10, with Amy Correia, Upper Merion Township Building Park, 175 W. Valley Forge Rd., King of Prussia, 610-265-1071, www.umconcerts.org.

ÑMary Armstrong