D&D

My word.

Tuesday night I took brother Jay to the Station Inn—LOVE the Station Inn—for the Doyle and Debbie Show.

Now the Station Inn never disappoints when it comes to good music and a good time, and thank the Lordy they have resisted all change as the gulch around them has gone from dank overpasses and train tracks to upscale condos and yuppie restaurants. It brings to mind that old Warner Bros. cartoon where Bugs wins out against the developers and there is this one rabbit hole amidst major urbanization.

But I digress. I was looking something "event" like I could take my brother to as a fraternal good time and belated birthday present. I found The Doyle and Debbie Show on the Nashville Scene's calendar.

Hoo doggie they did not disappoint.

Now the show did not get me to that level of breathless laughter I had hoped for, but there was good music and plenty of the funny. And my brother was shaking with laughter by the end of it. (I think I have been spoiled by Kiki and Herb. In fact, as the show began I thought this was basically a well done old-country version of Kiki and Herb. Doyle is a washed up fictional singing star desperate to reclaim his glory.)

From their website:

The Doyle and Debbie Show is sublime parody, simultaneously lampooning and idolizing country music's tradition of iconic duos and their subsequent battle of the sexes. Bruce Arntson and Jenny Littleton wield the vocals of vintage country stars and the acting chops of Broadway veterans, taking audiences on a freewheeling joyride through a wickedly funny script and slew of equally hilarious original songs. Over the past two years, Doyle and Debbie have developed a rabid cult following in Nashville, many of whom have seen the show over a dozen times—everyone from theater-going professionals to college students who wouldn't be caught dead in a theater or a country bar.

Seriously. If y'all can, y'all go.

I bought a CD, and some of their selections can be found online. While the mood is slightly struck with their opening number "Whine Whine Twang Twang (How do you like my singing?)," the show doesn't really begin until the heartfelt number, ("Written by my third wife and second Debbie") "When You're Screwing Other Women (Think of Me)." Other hits include "I Ain't No Homo (but Man You Sure Look Good to Me)," "God Loves America Best," "Barefoot and Pregnant" and "Fat Women in Trailers."

Not listed on their CD, but available on YouTube is the bit of country greatness that is "Blue Stretch Pants."

At the county fair,
I met a good old girl
as I stood in line
for the Tilt-A-Whirl.
She wore blue stretch pants
and around the back:
she looked like two little cartoon honeydew melons dancing in a Kroger sack.

Favorite line: like airbags on impact!

Enjoy! (Music starts at 1:35)



See also, the ABC's of Love:


And finally: Doyle and Debbie on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.