Country music icon Crystal Gayle to perform at Arcada Theatre

After her nearly 50-year career in country music, there’s still one thing that pushes legendary singer Crystal Gayle to continue performing for audiences across the world: having fun.

“We just have fun, and to me, that’s the most important part [of performing],” she said. “We play to entertain. One of the [other] things most special to me is that I get to see friends I’ve made throughout the years. Country music is known for loyal fans.”

Gayle and her six-piece band will perform at the Arcada Theatre in downtown St. Charles on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Gayle said the setlist will feature her hits, including her signature song “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” and other hits “You’ve Been Talking in Your Sleep,” “When I Dream,” “Half the Way,” and more, as well as newer music and deep album tracks.

“For me, music can heal,” the longtime Nashville resident said. “It reaches across language barriers. My music has been played all over the world. When you can put a feeling into a song, it translates.”

The Grammy®-winning singer has had 22 No. 1 country hits, six gold albums, and three platinum albums, including We Must Believe in Magic, which was the first album by a female artist in country music history to reach platinum sales.

Gayle was named Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year for two consecutive years in 1977-78, and won a Grammy® Award for Best Female Vocal Performance for “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” in 1978.

She won four American Music Awards and was named the Most Performed Country Female Artist On Radio for the decade of 1975-1985. Gayle received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in October 2009, and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2017.

Gayle is the younger sister of the late country music star Loretta Lynn. She was born in Kentucky and was raised in Indiana before moving to Nashville to get her start in the music business. After Lynn helped Gayle get signed to her first record label, Gayle quickly switched to her own label, making a name for herself apart from her famous sister.

“It didn’t take long for me to realize that I had to find a label that believed in me, not just because I was Loretta’s sister,” she said. “I began touring in the early ’70s. It was a time when country music was much different, there were so many little clubs that brought in music acts all the time. An artist could actually make a living on the road ... it was a great learning experience.”

In addition to her iconic voice and music, Gayle was also known for her nearly floor-length dark hair, which she still has today.

“I don’t know why I haven’t chopped it off yet, but it’s like another child, and something I’ve been known for,” she said with a laugh. “I always wanted to have long hair to put it in a ponytail. My mother always cut it [when I was younger], she cut it as short as a boy’s. So I just let it start growing when I was in high school. I saw someone with hair to their knees, and thought, ‘I want to grow mine that long.’”

Fans can expect to hear some new music, as Gayle said she still enjoys recording and has some projects in the works. But for now, Gayle is concentrating on her live performances, which she still loves to do.

“Country music fans are very, very loyal, and what I mean in that sense is when they love your music, they’re all in for you,” she said. “Just being out and seeing the fans and friends, I just love it. When it’s in your blood, it’s hard to quit. My sister [Lynn] said she would’ve been on stage until the end, if she could have. That was a big part of her, too. She loved being out there. It goes beyond the music.”

Ticket prices begin at $49, and can be purchased here. For more information, visit arcadalive.com.