Cabin fever reliever

PALMER �” Long winter months in isolation make for what the old Sourdoughs used to call “Cabin Fever,” a mental disorder produced from lengthy indoor confinement with extreme claustrophobic like symptoms that inevitably lead to one going a bit on the koo-koo side.

In the days of the Gold Rush, entertainment was low and tensions were high, leaving many restless and at times even homicidal.

Today, in an era of options, citizens of a bustling community, such as the Mat-Su Valley, turn to their local winter entertainment scene to get them out of their houses, and heads.

Seeing a need to shake the winter blues away with musical flare, staff at the Alaska State Fair organized what many consider to be the best winter music event in the the Valley.

This week, returning after a two-year hiatus, the Miller Genuine Draft Cabin Fever Reliever Concert Series kicks off a four-month country-rock fest at the Alaska State Fair’s Raven Hall.

Headlining the concert series in January is country legend Marty Stuart, followed afterwards by local favorite Ken Peltier and his band.

Stuart’s familiar country croons and bluegrass stylings garnished him hits in the early 1990s with “Hillbilly Rock,” “Tempted,” “Burn Me Down,” and the uber-popular “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’,” a duet with country icon, Travis Tritt.

Ray Ritari, fair entertainment organizer and promoter of entertainers for 30 years, helped book Stuart and other main artists for the Cabin Fever series. He said country music is what locals asked for, and so that’s what they’re getting.

“I wanted to bring up high profile country acts,” Ritari said. “Based on records of the Alaska State Fair to what has sold well, it’s pretty clear that there’s support for country artists here in the Valley.”

Ritari noted that with the long winter months in Alaska, State Fair organizers decided that the Valley could use a major entertainment pick me up.

“I worked with Marty [Stuart] back in 1992 in Madison with his “No Hats” tour along with Travis Tritt,” Ritari said.

“He really impressed me with that show and it kind of stuck with me. He’s a fine performer and perfect for this venue at Raven Hall.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Ken Peltier was getting a little cabin fever of his own, in Prudhoe Bay, at his day job.

A storm had moved in bringing with it 60 mile per hour winds and -40 degree temperatures. Peltier was a little concerned.

“The weather is in Phase Three, which means ‘Don’t go outside,’” Peltier laughed. “Wouldn’t that be something, if I couldn’t make it down to play this weekend?”

Peltier said regardless of the weather issues, it is always an honor for him and his band to get the opportunity to play with big name acts, crediting the diligence of the Alaska State Fair staff.

“We’re the big fish of the country pool in Alaska,” he said. “It’s amazing. Last fall I got to do a show with Charlie Daniels, who is a hero of mine. Sometimes when you get to do these, it’s neat and others it’s a ‘wow.’ Saturday’s show is definitely a ‘wow’ one.”

Peltier, a loyal fan of Marty Stuart, said meeting “real” country artists that play in Alaska gives him hope for his future as a musician in his home state.

“It’s incredible to hang out with them in sound check and one-on-one,” he said. One person in particular that Peltier idolizes and has met while performing at the Alaska State Fairgrounds is Grammy Award winning country artist Billy Dean, who played the State Fair two years ago.

“Dean came to the fair as a main act and Tracy Byrd was supposed to do a show with him,” Peltier said. “Byrd ended up canceling and so they asked me to open for Billy Dean. The kicker is they asked me to play acoustically. He is an amazing acoustic guitar player.”

Peltier said since he’s taken on a full-time day job, he’s had to put his music career on hold for the time being, but he has managed to record some new music and play gigs on his time off.

“I’m taking baby steps towards being done with a new CD by the summer,” he said.

With a recent shift in the entertainment management at the Alaska State Fair, Peltier said he is proud to be a part of the State Fair’s gear change to promote more local artists.

“I’m so excited about giving Suzy and Ray more latitude for local artists like us,” he said. “I’m Alaskan, which is why I haven’t moved to Nashville. This new management is for Alaskans, so I try my best to look out for fresh new acts.”

Peltier said people coming to check out his shows starting Saturday after Marty Stuart’s show will be pleasantly surprised with the late night jam session he and his band have planned, granted he makes it out of Prudhoe Bay.

“Those who have never heard us will hear a spectrum of old and new country, with rock and blues thrown in,” he said. “Part of my job is to read the crowd on what’s necessary.”

Suzy Crosby, entertainment coordinator for the Alaska State Fair, said the goal of the Cabin Fever Reliever series is to bring people out of hibernation.

Crosby jumped on board booking acts for the Cabin Fever series in the winter of 2002. That first year, blues artists Curtis Salgado and Elvin Bishop took the stage, with unexpected lackluster ticket sales. It soon became apparent a gear shift was needed.

“It’s been predominately country since then,” she said. “Ken has been such a main stay for us at the State Fair, it just seemed a natural fit that he close the show into the evening.”

Crosby said her main challenge has been picking bands that the people will come out and support, and ones they can afford.

“We wanted something that would really brighten up the cold dark nights for the locals,” she said. “We consider this to be the best concert line up we’ve ever put together and in so doing we’re stepping out on the biggest limb. All of these shows are going to be great.”

Marty Stuart and The Ken Peltier Band take the stage at Raven Hall for the Miller Genuine Draft Cabin Fever Reliever Concert Series starting at 7:30 p.m. on Sat.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for the concerts are $30-$45 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster, Fred Meyer stores or at the door.

Blackhawk arrives Feb. 16, Billy Dean on March 15 and Heartland will play a show on April 5.