WANT TO GO?

Ribfest

WHEN: 4-10:30 p.m. today; 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4-11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Lot beside Shoney's on Kanawha Boulevard

TICKETS: Adults $5, children $2 (prices for admission only)

INFO: www.charlestonwvribfest.com

NOTE: Matt Stillwell performs at 9 p.m. Friday and Gary Puckett at 9 p.m. Saturday.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In 1969, the White House hosted Prince Charles and Princess Anne of Britain. It was a gala affair. For the entertainment, the White House asked the young royals what musical act they'd like to see. The 19 year-old Princess wanted Gary Puckett and the Union Gap. Prince Charles wanted The Guess Who.

Gary Puckett, best known for songs that include "Young Girl" and "Lady Willpower," performs at 9 p.m. Saturday at Charleston's Ribfest, which runs today through Sunday. Puckett says it was surprising that Prince Charles would like a band like The Guess Who, best known for "American Woman" and "No Sugar Tonight." The Guess Who was kind of rockin.' Prince Charles isn't and never has been.

Still, Puckett says, it was a great experience. 

"They decided to bring the Marine Corps horn band in to augment me," he says. "There were fireworks, and I closed that particular show. It was exciting as all get out. It was an awesome feeling as well as an awesome show."

Puckett says his visit to the White House is a great memory. He met President Nixon, as well as a long line of other political figures. The Secret Service let him wander through the White House. The experience was authentically American.

A lot has changed in the past 40 years. Puckett got older, of course. He's 66, but he hasn't slowed down too much. When he's not home taking care of his lawn and working on landscape projects, he still gets out to play. He loves the shows. The traveling, though, isn't so much fun these days.

"If I could delete that part of it, I would," he says, "but playing in our own country, seeing the people; that's the part I still love."

Performing helps keep his voice in shape, but he supplements it with voice exercises. He compares his vocal chords to a muscle. "You've got to use it or lose it."

Puckett says he's been luckier than some. A lot of his peers -- other musicians of his generation -- aren't working as much this summer. With the economy, the world political situation and escalating costs, there are fewer jobs for guys like him.

"We're doing great," he says. "Others, not as much."

Late last winter, he went to Australia for a few weeks in February and March. He doesn't make that kind of a trip very often -- maybe once every 10 years or so -- but he found a good promoter. He did half a dozen dates in Sydney, the Gold Coast and Perth. The crowds were amazing.

Still active and still engaged, Puckett says he's working on a couple of projects that could find their way to television.

"They're still sort of in the conceptual stage," he says, "but there could be something later."

In the meantime, he's looking forward to coming to West Virginia and meeting a few fans.   

Reach Bill Lynch at ly...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5195.