An Urban Twang

OK, I’ll admit it: The appeal of country music has always been lost on me. I don’t pine away for the Smoky Mountains or sing to Shania or karaoke to “Crazy.” In fact, this L.A. native has never once owned a pair of cowboy boots, even when they were actually in.

So you can imagine how out of place I felt upon entering Crazy Jack’s Country Bar & Grill in Burbank. Walking in from West Magnolia Boulevard, you’re suddenly surrounded by ten-gallon hats, frilly shirts, mounted animal horns and all manner of rhinestones.

“How y’all doin’?” shouts a cowboy-hatted member of the band, the Shootouts, from the stage. The crowd cheers, line dancers take their places and the band launches into a tune about heartbreak. I decide to explore a little and come upon the entrance to the men’s restroom. A huge sign there reads, “Fight Crime--Shoot Back!”

We’re not in Hollywood anymore, Toto.

Luckily, I later encounter Vicki Valentine and her friends, who help explain the appeal of a place like Crazy Jack’s. “You go to some bars and it’s snobby,” says the 38-year-old property insurance supervisor from Sunland. Not so with the C & W scene, says Valentine. “We know everybody here. We have birthday parties, we’ve got a tab. We’re even planning a little Valentine’s Day party for our friends here.”

As for me feeling out of place, it turns out that most of the urban cowboys in the bar are as Californian as can be. Owner Jack Tavares--yes, there really is a Crazy Jack--was raised right here in the Golden State.

Valentine’s country-outfitted friends include the Burbank born-and-raised Connie Tomei and Lydia Hernandez, who reports she’s “never been to Nashville.” Even the band hails from nearby Acton, leading me to wonder how many of Crazy Jack’s patrons have come by their Southern twangs honestly.

But maybe you don’t have to actually be a little bit country to enjoy this stuff, I think as my toes start tapping to the music.

And it’s hard to imagine the martini-sipping hipsters at any Hollywood bar doing what this down-home bunch did when regular singer Kathy Tally suffered a heart attack: raise $2,500 to help with medical expenses.

Unlike the too-cool-for-school attitude that prevails in much of this city, the Crazy Jack’s bunch isn’t afraid to show a little enthusiasm. “We have a blast here!” shouts Valentine above the din as she gets up for another line dance. “And I’ve met some men here--but not any real cowboys [yet].”

Darlin’, don’t give up hope.

BE THERE

Crazy Jack’s Country Bar & Grill is at 4311 W. Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank. Cocktails, dining and dancing are available from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. , seven days a week. Live music can be heard Sunday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Call (818) 845-1121for information.