The Hanford Sentinel from Hanford, California • 6

1 Entertainment Diffie regular Joe worth seeing CRISTIE VRYHOF Special to the Sentinel George Strait autographs a poster for Las Vegas resident Ethel Shawe, left, who was 'adopted' by Hanford's Kirsten Gilson and Lesley Wilson, far right. Strait fans appear in film by George Ralph Berrett Sentinel Staff Photographer Fox Theatre Friday night. Eight hours before his sold-out show Friday in Hanford began, Joe Diffies latest single off his second album, Ships Dont Come In, was confirmed as the No. 1 country single in the nation. It was a good start for a fun night at the historic Fox Theatre, where Diffie, a new and rising star, performed an over two-hour show.

Review His concert was a rousing success that saw the audience clapping, laughing and on their feet many times throughout the night. Diffie and his band, with their overabundance of energy and style, overflowed into the crowd as just about everyone got into the excitement. It was a diverse collection of fans, ranging from a 6-month-old baby to a young lady of 83. A lot of little things showed the charisma of Diffie and his backing band, Heartbreak Highway. One running joke saw bassist Bryan Keith Bums and guitarist Lee Bogan always doing something, whether it was acting ready to goose Diffie with their guitars or begging the audience to clap louder for them, just behind Diffie.

He eventually caught on to the hijinks behind him and joined in, except at one point, Diffie went to introduce the and they werent there for once, the singer pointing to empty air behind him. Diffie himself sat at the edge of the stage, a few inches from fans in the front rows, to shake hands and hug fans who came forward, a few venturing to take pictures beside him. The music wasnt bad, either. A highlight was Ships That Dont Come In, the last song of the main set. The new hit off his Regular Joe album, Ships, earned Diffie a standing ovation.

Another highlight was the a cap-pella version of the Beatles Yesterday by Diffie, Bogan and fiddler Craig Fletcher. Despite the lack of accompaniment, their loud clear voices still echoed in perfect harmony that earned them a great Kinoss PROGRAM INFO. cORNJR OF ui AVi 584-5425 lacey bivd 1 Ai FA Rand AWAY fun with, a song he said didnt make any sense but its fun to do. The chorus? A cold Budwciscr and a sweet tatcr. Diffie encored with ZZ Tops Tush for a rousing finale.

Rounding out Heartbreak Highway was good looking single drum player James Matthew Bearden and Jim Hcffcrman on steel guitar. Hcf-ferman, a native of Bakersfield, was having a great time being back in the Valley and being glorified. No modesty here, each time Diffie turned his head Hcffcrman encouraged the audience to scream some more for the almost-local boy. Diffics regular Joe stance kept up after the show. He met with fans who stayed after the show, signing autographs and chatting.

He then closed Gene Michaels Hanford House, sitting in on the stage till 2 Reynolds TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Crew members are packing up to return to Hollywood after a three-month stmt here shooting the S14 million movie Cop and a Half, starring Burt Reynolds. The movie, directed by Henry Winkler, is about a 10-year -old boy who insists on becoming partners Joe Diffie in concert at Hanford's response from the crowd. Diffie, in a more restrained note, launched a version of Goodnight Sweetheart aimed at his 7-ycar-daughter Kara, who he said he misses when hes one the road. (Diffie has four children, Kara and three boys.) He said he hates to sing the song because it points out to him how much he misses his little sweetheart.

The show featured all the hot singles that have marked his two-year recording career, songs like Home," If You Want Me Too, New Way to Light Up an Old Flame and Is It Cold In Here. The song If The Devi! Danced in Empty Pockets, probably his best-known cut off his first album, was another song that got the audience all riled up. Diffie aired a few songs from his upcoming album, asking the audience to give their own reaction to the unheard song. He asked the audience to provide a chorus to one song he was having fii'iii rvl'SE-i y.ll Ik Hit in. ItlMH.

DAILY 12:152.15 jg, 4:45 7.00 TOM CRUSE VCOiE UDWVv FARaTd Ti. away DAILY 9 15 SISTER ACT DALY 1230 245 5 00 7 15 9 30 a ALEAGIE daily fiT? 12 00 2.30 Ol sr THEIR 01VN pg 7:45 10:10 Steve Martin Goldie Hawn tually appear in the final product is unknown, said Steve Rogers, who participated along with his wife Wendy. In their case, he noted, the best they can hope for is being among the crowd. We dont know if were going to be in it, he summed up, but just being part of it was exciting. Wilson and three of her friends, Cheryl Mcndes, Vicki Gilson and Kirsten Gilscn, were even luckier.

They went backstage and were able to chat with the reserved singer. Some people say he acts stuck up," said Wilson, but 1 thought he was a nice, down-to-earth person. He aimed to please." In fact, she continued. Strati autographed a souvenir shirt she was wearing (and has yet to figure out how to wash without losing the name). Rogers said he has good feelings about tkd movie and its impact on trail's career.

1 think its going to introduce a lot of people to George StraiL 1 dont think hed stick his neck out (acting) if he couldnt do iL" Strait did not actually sing or play during the filming, said Rogers. Instead, he lip-synced to taped music that will appear on the soundtrack to the movie. Both Wilson and Rogers said the experience only made them bigger Strait fans, each having already been enthusiastic supporters of the handsome hat even before his widely remembered show 1985 at the Fox Theatre. The seven, which includes Tim Amaral, have one final scene of their own. When the movie comes to the Valley, they all plan to attend the premiere together, wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the name Dusty.

a.m. Warming up for the show was the Slim Chance Band.the house band at the Marco Polo in Visalia. Their closing number, a cover of Billy Ray Cyrus Achy Brcaky Heart," got the audience in the mood to have some fun once Diffie took the stage. The show, produced by Blue Shadows Productions and Gene Michaels Hanford House, sold out 1,055 scats a few days before the show. In the Fox, an old movie theater turned into a hall for musical concerts, you cant get a bad scat.

Blue Shadows has more country on tap later in the year, with Doug Stone appearing Sept. 18, Riders in the Sky Oct. 2 and Tanya Tucker in two shows Oct. 15. Those who missed Diffie in Hanford can sec him Aug.

14 at Paso Robles Mid-State Fair. wraps film with a police officer, played by Reynolds, after witncssuig amurder. The crew filmed a final scene early Friday and then began breaking down their movie production headquarters at a former high school. Final sound production and editing of die film will be done on the Pacific Coast. SHOWS-' I For complete listings look in Sundays TV Times HE SKNTINF.L STAFF George Strait fans already, seven Kings County people had their faith in the country star reinforced last month when they were invited to be extras in his first feature film.

The seven were part of a select group of Strait fan club members sent postcards asking if they would appear as unpaid extras for scenes of the film Pure Country to be filmed at the Las Vegas Mirage Hotel. Fans had to provide their own transportation to Vegas and lodging, but folks came from as far Wisconsin and Kansas to take pan, (The original mailing, following a similar search in Texas, was aimed at the West.) Lesley Wilson, one of the seven, explained that in the film Strait plays a fictional country star named Dusty Chandler who has tired of the rigmarole of louring and recording and wants to go back to the simple life. Others the film are Lesley Ann Warren and old-time action flick acior Rory Calhoun. TTie Vegas scenes show him singing to his girlfriend, who is sitting among the fans at a cabaret-style show by ChandlerS trait. Although the action will be only one scene in the movie, assuming it doesnt end up on the cutung room floor, it took two days to film.

For two days, June 19 and 20, filming started at 2 a.m. and ended at 2 p.m. The hours were dictated by the Mirage, which still needed the auditorium for its normal use. It took forever, said Wilson, several hours on one scene. We all learned one simple word, and thats Cut.

Who among the extras will ac (CARPET, viNYL AA I Custom Window Treatments FLOOR COVERINGS INTERIORS 1 1 629 N. Irwin St 585-8504 ARTISTS METRO 4 CINEMAS iV 5841577 CRYROOWS AVAILABLE IN CINEMAS I. II. Ill C- Tl Gibson Danny Glover NO PASSES BOOMERANG 1 LETHAL WEAPON 3 DAILY (R) I I DAILY (R) 11:45 2-15 4-45 7 15 9 45 VI 2:00 2:30 5:00 7 30 1 0 00 Z' Michael baton NO PASSES A BATMAN RETURNS UNL I DAILY (PG-13) I 1 12 40 3 30 6 30 9 30 12:10 i ALL BEFORE 5 30PM EVERYDAY -OttC PRIME Time TONIGHT lifcl20r6FF I Wr.vr- vcr Rpiri I Zoroit f.vfl. nk923-4320PBl ZIZZL CRACK HOTLINE Are you interested in keeping our community safe and clean of dangerous.

life-threatening drugs and drug peddlers? If you are aware of anyone connected to the use, purchase or sale of illegal drugs, you can report these activities anonymously by calling the SECRET WITNESS NUMBER 584-7022 A REWARD IS OFFERED UPON ARREST AND CONVICTION RECEPTION The Tulare Kir.g) Regional Aru Council would lite 10 invite you to MEET THE ARIISTS at a special reception on Monday, July 6, 1972 from 4 30 m. to 6 00 in Ihe Board of Supervisors BinlJng al tie Kings County Government Center, 1400 Ucey Boulevard, Hanford This 1992 KINGS COUNTY EMPLOYEE INVITATIONAL art exhibit IS a first ever in Kings Counl) V. orks creeled by the employees vary from oil paintings lo shadow boxes and from needle point lo wood carvings, inciuoir.g photography, charcoal paintings pencil drones and more FentireJ nriisis 'oclu DENNIS LEHMAN DENIS EYMIL CAROL SCHILLING ROSE MART1NFZ NORMA FARRAII ALICE QUEZADA DAVID LAWIIORNE LEE LANDIS PATTI TILL JUDY DILLON TAMMIE PICK VIRGINIA LLE JOHNSON Come and see this evening exhibit' The exhibit be showing through October, t992. The Tulare Ki igs Kcgicn.il Arls Count 1 (TKRAC) is a non profit organization Its purpose is to encourage and enha nr cultural and artistic development and awareness througheut Tulare and Kings Cou Hies Enr regirdmg othais pr irrams o'tired by Tt'IOV' -ell (209) 6251120 ''X.