VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE; SIU ARENA CONCERTS HAVE CRAWN LARGE CROWDS SINCE IT WAS BUILT IN '64

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Variety is the spice of life -- if you're interested in musical entertainment.

"We do a variety because the market varies," said Michelle Suarez, deputy director at SIU Arena in Carbondale.

Concerts at the Southern Illinois University Arena have been drawing crowds from Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri and Western Kentucky since it was built in 1964.

This weekend will be no different with the diverse sounds of Christian rock and country music echoing through SIU Arena.

DC Talk, a three-member Christian rock group, will perform at 7:30 tonight at the arena.

Toby McKeehan, Kevin Smith and Michael Tait met in college and formed DC Talk about eight years ago. The unique name originally stood for "Decent Christian Talk," said Cheryl Anteau, a spokesperson with True Artists management.

The group's third album, "Free At Last," went platinum and also earned them a Grammy award.

But their new release, "Jesus Freak," doesn't resemble other albums; it combines rock, soul and hip hop with the sounds of raw guitars and harmonicas.

"You can't stay in the same place indefinitely," said Michael Tait in a prepared statement. "You've got to keep stretching, keep exploring, keep creating. I think the three of us will keep evolving until we dissolve."

Christafari, a reggae group, and GRITS will also perform with DC Talk. Tickets cost $16.

On Friday, Diamond Rio will perform at 8 p.m. with Perfect Stranger.

Diamond Rio was named "Vocal Group of the Year" in 1991 and 1992 by the Academy of Country Music. For three consecutive years they also have been the Country Music Association's vocal group of the year.

The six members of the group met while performing in the Tennessee River Boys band at Opryland.

The members of Diamond Rio are Marty Roe, lead vocals; Gene Johnson, mandolin and vocals; Jimmy Olander, lead guitar; Brian Prout, drums; Dan Truman, keyboards; and Dana Williams, bass guitar and vocals.

In 1991 and 1992, the band was voted "Best Group of the Year" by the Academy of Country Music.

It was also nominated for five Grammy Awards by the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences.

The group's debut single, "Meet in the Middle," reached No. 1 on all charts in 1991. And the hits keep coming.

Their latest single, "Finish What We Started," is from the "Love A Little Stronger" album.

Since entering the music scene in 1991, the band has had nine hit singles. Some of the songs include "Norma Jean Riley," "Nowhere Bound," "Love A Little Stronger," and "Bubba Hyde."

Perfect Stranger is a relatively new band in country music. The group released its first top-five hit "You Have the Right To Remain Silent" this summer.

The album of the same title was originally released on an independent label. But when it became popular, the group signed with Curb Records.

Tickets for both concerts can be purchased by calling 618-453-5341. DC Talk tickets are $16 and Diamond Rio tickets are $13.50.

Suarez said neither show is sold out but tickets have been selling quickly.

"Fortunately, we have been having a good streak," she said, adding that the arena is also used for basketball games, summer sports camps and trade shows throughout the year.

If you're not interested in concerts, come to Tuna, Texas, where country music can be heard blaring from the radio because Patsy Cline never dies.

Actors Brent Briscoe and Greg Currie portray the town's two dozen residents in the play "Greater Tuna."

It can be seen Oct. 19 at 8 p.m., as part of the 30th anniversary celebration series at Shryock Auditorium.

Tuna is the third smallest town in Texas where celebrity murders, scandals and UFO sightings are the talk of the town.

Tickets for the play are $14.50 and $12.50. They can be purchased by calling 618-453-2787.

The Celebrity Series is supported by the Illinois Arts Councils in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.