GIN 'N' JUICE AND THE CABLE GUY?


March 01, 2012 | Fairfield Daily Republic
Gin ‘n’ juice and the Cable Guy?
by Kelvin Wade

When I saw the headline that rapper Snoop Dogg and comedian Larry the Cable Guy were headlining this year’s Dixon May Fair, I thought for a moment, “what eclectic booking!”

After all, legendary rock band Van Halen is touring with legendary R&B band Kool and the Gang. But no, they will not be performing together. I guess that would be like holding the BET Awards at a NASCAR event.

Now it’s true that it will most likely be a “Spare the Air” day when Snoop performs at the fair. Contact highs will come free with fair admission. Snoop Dogg is a connoisseur of the chronic, having been busted multiple times for possession of marijuana, with the latest this past January in Texas when his tour bus was searched.

I can see where some fairgoers would be horrified by the inclusion of a rap artist like Snoop. To them, the thought of Snoop Dogg in Dixon is like Occupy Oakland attending a silent candlelight vigil. They fear young thugs taking over the fair and causing mayhem. I can just see some potential fairgoers scratching May 9 off their calendars.

I have to believe the organizers are confident there will be enough law enforcement and security personnel to handle any nonsense from those who might use the concert as an excuse to make trouble.

But the reality is while Snoop Dogg may come with a lot of baggage, the audience will skew older and whiter than most people expect. This isn’t a young gangsta rapper sipping gin ‘n’ juice anymore. Snoop has gone mainstream, hosting Wrestlemania XXIV, having a reality show featuring his wife and kids and guest starring in many movies and TV shows, including the soap opera “One Life To Live.” Snoop was on “The Price is Right” earlier this year, raising money for charity, and has performed at Camp Pendleton and other places to support our troops. When he’s not touring, he’s coaching high school football and Little League in Southern California.

Back in the day, if someone had said Snoop Dogg would end up on a soap opera, who would’ve believed it? I’m hoping his mainstream appeal actually turns off young knuckleheads so they won’t go see him. It only takes a few idiots to ruin the event and make it so we only see Air Supply at regional fairs.

Not that there’s anything wrong with Air Supply. They performed at the Solano County Fair last year. Great group. But I like the fact that the Dixon May Fair pulled a move that no one saw coming by securing the Doggfather to bring his laid-back syncopated mic skills to the area. This year’s Solano County Fair has announced Tower of Power so far as musical entertainment. I’ve seen ToP and they’re an awesome live band, but they’re here in the area in some capacity every year. I’d like to see the envelope pushed at the Solano County Fair.

Larry the Cable Guy is one of the most popular comedians in the country, with three gold albums, movies, a TV series and he voices “Mater” in the “Cars” movie franchise. He’s a significant comedy “get” for this year’s fair.

Still, it would’ve been interesting to have him perform with Snoop Dogg. It would be comedy gold.

I hope regional fairs continue reaching for top-tier talent. Fo’ shizzle, Git-R-Done. Sorry, I had to do it. Peace.

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ADDITIONAL NOTES: I really hope the show goes off without a hitch. If there are problems, you won't see another hip hop act a the fair for a loooooooooong time. And just having Snoop and Larry the Cable Guy hold a conversation on stage would be hilarious. They'd need a translator. But that pairing is not to be. Still, should be a great May Fair this year!

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