He performed in Wellston, Portsmouth and other places, then moved to California as a teenager.

Monday, March 13, 2000

He performed in Wellston, Portsmouth and other places, then moved to California as a teenager. Climbing his way up the songwriting ladder, Bare eventually scored a Grammy in 1964 for "Detroit City" and became a Grand Ol’ Opry staple in Nashville, Tenn. Now, at 64 years old, Bare is hitting the road again, coming as close to his hometown as Newport, Ky., near Cincinnati for a concert.

Then, next month, it’s out West for other performances as he travels as far as Alaska.

"It really gets tough when you’re involved with a record company," Bare said, chuckling. "They wear you out."

Actually, Bare said he has never really been off the road.

Lately, that road has included plenty of concerts and cable music specials produced in Nashville.

Last week, he co-hosted a special, renewing acquaintances with old friends like Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell and Chet Atkins.

Talking with Jerry Reed, Bare decided you cannot quit what you love to do.

"You feel bad but you get on stage and it all goes away," he said. "If you stop doing what you like to do, you die really, that’s what that’s saying."

Bare is excited to get close to home for his first concert appearance in quite some time.

"I feel more comfortable working the South than I do the North or West," he said. "I don’t know when I’ll get back to Ironton but I still have fond memories."

The concert will be 8 p.m. March 18 at the Southgate House in Newport. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 day of show.

Bare has been heralded as one of country music’s most successful, innovative and talented writer-performers.

He was one of the first country music stars to consistently score crossover hits on the pop and country charts with songs like "Detroit City," "Four Strong Winds," "500 Miles Away From Home" and "The Streets of Baltimore."

Bare also has become a staple on The Nashville Network, where he continues to be a strong advocate for up-and-coming artists who don’t quite fit the Nashville mold.

For more information about the Newport concert, contact Magus Productions at 1-513-779-9462.