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Get more twang for your buck Saturday

Two big names will appear at the Chasco Country Concert in New Port Richey.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN
Published March 30, 2007

Both of the headliners at the Chasco Country Concert on Saturday night are familiar names on the Billboard country singles charts.

Rodney Atkins is hitting his stride right now, with two No. 1 country singles in the last few weeks, the heart-tugging Watching You and the rompin' title track, If You're Going Through Hell. (To watch videos of both songs, go to www.rodneyatkins.com and click on "media.")

The album was certified platinum Tuesday.

Darryl Worley hit the peak four years ago in the run-up to the war in Iraq with the controversial pro-military anthem, Have You Forgotten? (Lyrics are at www.cowboylyrics.com; click on "W" and scroll down to Worley.)

His Web site says Worley is now shifting his focus "to break from the constraints of his image" and is performing "in the tradition of soulful country singing."

Indeed, his latest album, Here and Now, is packed with lovesick lyrics and drinking songs, though it does end with the rather enigmatic I Just Came Back from a War ("A place where our brothers are dying for others who don't even care anymore ...").

Traditional country is where Atkins has been from the start - humorous drinking songs (Wasted Whiskey), sentimental tunes about home and family (My Old Man, These Are My People) and introspection (The Man I Am Today).

His little-known 1997 effort, In a Heartbeat, has become a collector's item.

His 2003 album Honesty gave him his first chart maker, the thoughtful Write Me a List. His latest, If You're Going Through Hell, gave him his two No. 1 Billboard hits.

The opening act is local country favorite Wiley Fox.

If you go

Chasco Country Concert

Where: Sims Park amphitheater, New Port Richey.

When: Gates open at 5:45 p.m., show starts at 6.

Tickets: $15 and $25 in advance at the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce; $20 and $30 at the gate.

[Last modified March 29, 2007, 23:46:25]