Night Ranger Sister Christian

Music to our stomachs: Best of the rest of Rib Cook-off bands

The Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off runs today through Monday on Victorian Avenue in downtown Sparks. In addition to 24 cookers barbecuing an estimated 100 tons of ribs, there's a craft fair, kids playground and free live music. Admission is free. Parking can be a challenge, but there are two shuttles available today through Sunday that come and go from both Reed and Wooster high schools. Shuttles run from 5-10:30 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Details: 356-3300 or www. nuggetribcookoff.com.

While you may have missed catching the top competitive eaters down an average seven pounds of rib meat on Wednesday (the winner ate almost 10 pounds), there still are some spectacles to behold at the Nugget Rib Cook-off, which continues today through Monday on Victorian Avenue in Sparks.

At 11 a.m., the Running of the Pigs will send 20 pigs careening down a Victorian Avenue course that begins on the west end near the U.S. Bank Stage. And the rest of the weekend, of course, is filled with smoky barbecue and live music, including four headlining acts. So while you and the expected half-million visitors throughout the event gnaw on racks of ribs, down beer and lemonade and graze on roasted corn, raise a saucy fist for some music. Best thing about the music is that, unlike the ribs, it's free. Our music preview will help you decide which of the four remaining days is worth standing in the heat and food lines.

Bucky Covington at 7 p.m. on the main stage. Apparently, placing eighth in 2006's "American Idol" gets you headlining slots in festivals like the Rib Cook-off, as he's been playing the county fair and casino circuit heavily this summer. But Covington's country stylings did earn him a record deal, and his 2007 debut album went to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.

Will rib fans like him? Probably. Reno loves a good, free country show, and most people like the idea of ogling a one-time television star. Acts appearing on the U.S. Bank Stage Friday include Reno's Saddle Tramps at 11 a.m., 5 High at 2:30 p.m. and Pufferbilly at 6 p.m. Trey Stone Band plays at 7 p.m. on the Great Basin Brewing stage, and Jason King Band plays at 7 p.m. on the Cantina Los Tres Hombres stage.

Mumbo Gumbo at 7 p.m. on the main stage. The Sacramento-area Cajun party band knows how to sound like they're from New Orleans, but can also throw in other world influences that usually result in a round of rump-shaking.

Night Ranger's best song? (Hint: It's not “Sister Christian ...

A few observations:

1) The acting in the “break up” scene at the beginning of the video is pure gold.

2) The pre-chorus (one at :53, 1:55 and 3:05) is super catchy. No irony. It just is.

3) The drummer in this video — he’s also the guy that sings in front of the car and the giant paper moon — is like a fully formed Will Ferrell character . Every second he’s on screen is a joy, especially 2:24 to 2:30. My wife saw that and said, “He must not know which camera to look at.” I LOL’d.

4) 2:04: Mouthful of hair. Blech.

5) The guy at 2:50 really wants you to know he has a “flying v” guitar.

6) The parts of the video where the band is actually performing just scream “rock ‘n’ roll” don’t they? But what’s up the normal-looking, short-haired guy all the way to the left on the keys? Do you think he feels left out when he sees all his buds swinging their manes around like that? Poor dude.

7) Leather Vest’s harmony on the “dream about me” part of the chorus is totally awesome. That is the part I will be singing along to at tonight’s show (if I am there).

Bottom line is this: “Sister Christian” gets lots of love, and deservedly so. But based on “When You Close Your Eyes,” I believe that Night Ranger deserves to be remembered as more than just a One Hit Wonder . I believe the time has come for the world to know that Night Ranger did not peak with “Sister Christian.” The world should know about “When You Close Your Eyes” and the time for this revolution is now.

Maybe I should set up a booth at the show or something to try to sign people up for the cause. Will you join me?

Night Ranger plays at 8:30 tonight at Troy Field, next to McMenamins Old St. Francis School in downtown Bend. Sagebrush Rock opens at 5 p.m., followed by The Show at 7 p.m. The concert is free, but you need a ticket to get in. To find out how to get a ticket, listen to 98.3 FM The Twins radio station.