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[Publicity photo]
Country fans, such as these at last year's Jam, spend a day or the whole weekend at the music festival. Among the acts scheduled to perform this weekend: Tanya Tucker, the Bellamy Brothers and country legend Loretta Lynn.
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How do you like the Jam now?
By JORGE SANCHEZ
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 2, 2000
Toby Keith, the featured act Sunday night at Rock Crusher Canyon, likes a little rock with his country. And that's led to seven chart-topping hits since his debut album in 1993.
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CRYSTAL RIVER -- Toby Keith says he has a simple formula for selecting songs to perform.
"I just try to play all the No. 1's, maybe some No. 2's, and a couple of 5's," he said, referring to the spots he often has reached in the country music charts.
His 1993 debut shined with Should Have Been a Cowboy, which he said the Dallas Cowboys played "every time they scored a touchdown back then." The title song from November 1999's How Do You Like Me Now? hit the top spot in the country music charts, making a total of seven No. 1's for Keith.
[Photo by Matthew Barnes]
Singer/Songwriter Toby Keith is scheduled to perform at Rock Crusher Canyon on Sunday. He was booked at the Jam three years ago but canceled.
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Keith, the featured act Sunday night at the Crystal River Jam, says being a singer-songwriter helps define his country/rock sound.
"We have the steel guitars and fiddles, but we also have three guitar players, so we can do country and also rock when it comes time to party a little," he said.
It's no surprise that he lists Merle Haggard as an influence, but he also cites Jimmy Buffett and Billy Joel.
"Buffett's music is great, he could have been country, but he's terrific at doing what he does. It's not strange to me to consider him as an influence," he said.
And You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like That from Keith's new CD has some piano sections that definitely bring Joel to mind.
Keith was booked at the Jam three years ago, but he had to cancel.
"I don't know what happened. Something fell through. That's why we're doing this now; I've been wanting to come back because so many people were disappointed," he said.
The Jam's Saturday night headliner, country legend Loretta Lynn, can be seen on the CMT video channel with her latest hit I've Got Country in My Genes from her September CD Still Country. The video has cameos by many younger stars and long-time friends who worship the queen of county music, such as Earl Scruggs, Reba McIntyre, Jon Anderson and Crystal Gayle.
The Jam kicks off Friday with a dance party at the Garden Pavilion. Saturday and Sunday, the festival will move to the larger Rock Crusher Canyon Amphitheater.
 PREVIEW
The Crystal River Jam is Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Rock Crusher Canyon Amphitheater, 275 S Rock Crusher Road, Crystal River. One-day tickets are $40, three-day tickets are $60. VIP tickets also available. Parking is $5. Food and beverage vendors on site. No coolers. Call (877) 722-2696 or visit the Web site, http://www.rockcrushercanyon.com.
When they jam in Crystal River
Here is the schedule for the Crystal River Jam at the Garden Pavilion. Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday and Sunday.
Friday
7 p.m.: Whitnee Bohms
9: The Derailers
Saturday
1 p.m.: Norman Lee
2:15: Porter Wagoner
3:45: BR5-49
5:15: Craig Morgan
6:30: River Road
7:45: The Bellamy Brothers
9:15: Loretta Lynn
Sunday
1 p.m.: Morgo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive
2:15: Tanya Tucker
3:45: The Kentucky Headhunters
5:15: Gary Allan
7: Toby Keith
Back to Weekend
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