Pure Country

**Pure Country** is an American musical western film directed by Christopher Cain. It stars country music singer, George Strait, the King of Country Music in his acting debut. The film spawned two standalone sequels - Pure Country 2: The Gift (2010) and Pure Country: Pure Heart (2017).

## Plot

One of the biggest stars in country music, "Dusty" Wyatt Chandler (George Strait) grows disillusioned with the hollow performances and overly produced arena shows he's contractually obligated to play. In an effort to become grounded, Chandler walks away from the spotlight and goes back to the country town of his youth. After finding work at a ranch, he falls for the owner's daughter, Lula Rogers (Lesley Ann Warren). However, his manager (Isabel Glasser) is determined to keep the show going.

## Cast

* George Strait as "Dusty" Wyatt Chandler
* Lesley Ann Warren as Lula Rogers
* Isabel Glasser as Harley Tucker
* Kyle Chandler as Buddy Jackson
* John Doe as Earl Blackstock
* Rory Calhoun as Ernest Tucker
* Molly McClure as Ivy Chandler
* James Terry McIlvain as Tim Tucker
* Toby Metcalf as J.W. Tucker
* Mark Walters as Al
* Tom Christopher as Dave - Dusty's Bodyguard
* Jeffrey R. Fontana as Eddie - Dusty's Bodyguard
* Jeff Prettyman as Bobby Lewis
* David Anthony as Dusty's Band
* Mike Daily as Dusty's Band
* Gene Elders as Dusty's Band
* Benny MacArthur as Dusty's Band
* Terry Hale as Dusty's Band
* Ronnie Huckaby as Dusty's Band
* Mike Kennedy as Dusty's Band
* Rick McRae as Dusty's Band
* Sharon Thomas as Monique James
* Julie Johnson as Waitress
* Gil Glasgow as Bartender

## Soundtrack

George Strait created an album titled "Pure Country" which was released on September 15, 1992. The songs in the soundtrack are used in the movie.

* 1. Heartland
* 2. Baby Your Baby
* 3. I Cross My Heart
* 4. When Did You Stop Loving Me
* 5. She Lays It All One The Line
* 6. Overnight Male
* 7. Last In Love
* 8. Thoughts Of A Fool
* 9. The King Of Broken Hearts
* 10. Where The Sidewalk Ends
* 11. Heartland (Main Title Sequence Version - duet with his son, George "Bubba" Strait Jr.)

## Trivia

* The main title sequence version of "Heartland" at the beginning of the film was a softer version of the song that first featured George Strait's son, Bubba singing the first half of the song before the elder Strait sang the second half of the song.
* The members of Dusty's band (minus Earl Blackstock, portrayed by John Doe) are members of George Strait's actual band, "The Ace In The Hole" Band.
* Strait insisted on doing his own roping stunts in the film despite the crew members' hesitance and discomfort. Strait is actually an avid team roper and has been hosting team roping for his south Texas friends.
* Strait almost turned down the film because was afraid the film would put his singing career in trouble, but not until he had done 250 dates a year and felt the kind of burnout Dusty had. However, it was Elvis Presley's manager, "Colonel" Tom Parker who encouraged Strait to pursue an acting career – which Strait was at first reluctant of. But with Parker's persistent nudge, he eventually caved in. Parker's friend then called Pure Country's writer, and the country singer got the role.
* The movie was filmed primarily in Texas, with filming taking place in the towns of Maypearl, Mansfield, Midlothian and Cresson. The concert scenes were filmed in Fort Worth, Texas.
* The country singer was actually not a fan of the movie's title as he believed it sounded like it was all about country when in fact, there’s so much more to that. So, he asked the production team to consider changing its name. Apparently, his wishes fell on deaf ears, and the title remained.
* The film doesn't have a kissing scene between its leads. Many fans wonder why Dusty did not kiss Harley – played by lead actress Isabel Glasser – after singing for her at the end of the film. The scene was actually rewritten to show Dusty and Harley gazing longingly at each other. According to sources, it was because of the country singer’s wife, Norma, but Strait said, "that’s not it. It just didn’t happen."
* The critics considered the movie a flop. Despite Strait's popularity, Pure Country earned only more than $15 million at the box office and didn't even crack the top five. However, it produced some of the best George Strait songs, with its soundtrack album becoming the best-selling album of his career.