Superstar coming to Genola bash

GENOLA — It isn't very often the tiny town of Genola gets a big-time star for the Genola Fiesta.

In fact, it's never happened before.

But this year, Earl Thomas Conley, a country superstar of the '80s and '90s, will be crooning his tunes at the Genola town fair on Thursday, June 23.

"This is the first time Genola has ventured into the big venue concerts. It's a big thing for us," said Phil Harold, Genola's public works director. "I was blown away when we went in to request the money for him to come and we got it."

"It's something new, something different for us," city recorder Tracy Wright said.

Ray Zeeman is a long-time fan of Conley's. He's impressed that Genola officials are willing to bring in the country star.

"It takes me a little to go back to the '80s," Zeeman said. "But I remember quite a few of his songs. 'Holding Her and Loving You' is probably the one I remember best."

Genola is forking over $12,500 for Conley's appearance. The town council also authorized the construction of a concrete stage for the band.

"We're so excited," Harold said.

Harold said more than 600 tickets have been sold.

Town Councilman John Roberts said he's heard from people in Salt Lake City, Manti and as far away as Cedar City who are planning to catch the country singer on the new Genola stage.

"I'm very excited," Roberts said, "particularly because all the money raised (beyond expenses) will go to the town's parks."

Roberts promised there will be plenty of signs posted for folks who don't know how to find Genola, which is approximately three miles west of Santaquin in southern Utah County.

Conley is best known for his "Smokey Mountain Memories" album, his No. 1 '82 hit "Fire and Smoke" and his left-of-center style. He wrote Conway Twitty's No. 1 hit "This Time I've Hurt Her More Than She Loves Me."

His hit "Holding Her and Loving You" won "Country Song of the Year" in 1983 as well as multiple Grammy nominations. He was the first artist to take four singles from one album to the No. 1 spot.

He defied the rules when he became the first country artist to appear on the television show "Soul Train" to sing the 1986 hit duet "Too Many Times" with Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters.

In 1991, voice problems, the stress of the lifestyle and financial woes, coupled with the death of his father, led him to take a seven-year break from the music business.

He returned in 1997 with 70 songs to share.

A new album, "Perpetual Emotion," was released in January 1998.

He'll perform for 90 minutes in Genola following a 90-minute performance by the J. Mark Bailey band.

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If you go

What: Earl Thomas Conley and the J. Mark Bailey band/Concert in the Park

Where: Genola City Park (three miles west of Santaquin)

When: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 23 (gates open at 5:30 p.m.)

Cost: $15 per person

Available through Smithstix

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E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com