By Shirley Jinkins
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

IRVING

George Strait best summed up Saturday's cross-cultural, country-Caribbean concert at Texas Stadium.

"There's a fine line between parrotheads and rednecks," he observed before kicking off his sundown set, customary Strait-style, country-swing that was sandwiched between Alan Jackson's straw-hat music and Jimmy Buffett's island chic.

How true. On the extreme end of the spectrum were the parrotheads in their grass skirts, coconut shell bras (on guys and girls) and outrageous headgear. A few conservative men in pressed jeans and buttoned-up western shirts were among them, but most of the crowd wore a comfortable melange of Hawaiian shirts and flower leis right along with their jeans and cowboy hats.

Jackson's opening set was as lighthearted as his Hawaiian shirt of palm trees and bucking broncs. It was time for Summertime Blues and Chattahoochie, augmented by a chorus line of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

George Strait, looking pretty relaxed, joined Jackson for their Designated Drinker duet, then later Jimmy Buffett really got the crowd going when he and Jackson sang the party anthem, It's Five O'Clock Somewhere.

Strait also had guests during his part of the show. Jackson emoted with him on Murder on Music Row and Buffett joined in on the best-ever version of All My Exes Live In Texas.

It's been a long time since we've seen Strait so early in the concert rotation (he's a born closer), but his newer material including Cowboys Like Us and Desperately, played just as well before dark.

Buffett came on alone with his guitar ("the original Coral Reefer band," he laughed) after a couple of dancers twirled to The Banana Boat Song. The early part of his concert included Gypsies in the Palace and Changes in Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes, plus material from his upcoming album License To Chill.

Jackson and Buffett performed a great version of Guy Clark's Boats To Build, a natural for Buffett's island-inspired set list.

The entire evening was a rare treat, indeed -- the chance to see old favorites break out of their well-crafted personas and mix it up a little bit with their complementary music.

The trio took its final bow with the ultimate summer song, "Margaritaville," before Buffett returned for one last round. Though the moon could be seen shining through the roof of Texas stadium, it sure felt like a hot summer day.

Set List:

ALAN JACKSON

"Gone Country"
"I Don't Even Know Your Name"
"Dallas"
"Livin' on Love"
"Little Bitty"
"Too Much of a Good Thing Is a Good Thing"
"Drive"
"Remember When"
"Don't Rock the Jukebox"
"Designated Drinker"
"Texas Women"
"Summertime Blues"
"The Blues Man"
"Pop a Top"
"Seven Bridges Road"
"It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"
"Chattahoochee"
"Where I Come From"

GEORGE STRAIT

"Honk if You Honky Tonk"
"Check Yes or No"
"I Can Still Make Cheyenne"
"Stars on the Water"
"Run"
"There Stands the Glass"
"Murder on Music Row"
"Amarillo by Morning"
"Blue Clear Sky"
"Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind"
"She'll Leave You With a Smile"
"Take Me Back to Tulsa"
"Milkcow Blues"
"The Fireman"
"All My Ex's Live in Texas"
"Tell Me Something Bad About Tulsa"
"Cowboys Like Us"
"Desperately"
"The Best Day"
"Unwound"

JIMMY BUFFETT

"Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes"
"Great Filling Station Holdup"
"Pencil Thin Mustache"
"License to Chill"
"Son of a Son of a Sailor"
"Gypsies in the Palace"
"Boats to Build"
"Cheeseburger in Paradise"
"The Pascagoula Run"
"Why Don't We Get Drunk"
"Brown Eyed Girl"
"Sea of Heartbreak"
"Come Monday"
"Volcano"
"Mexico"
"A Pirate Looks at Forty"
"Fins"
"One Particular Harbour"

Encore:

"Hey, Good Lookin'"
"Margaritaville"

Second Encore:

"Northeast Texas Women"