WHAT'S in a name? Slim Whitman was originally Otis Dewey Whitman Jnr, Conway Twitty was Harold Jenkins and Baldemar Huerta became Freddy Fender.

Sisters Loretta and Brenda Gail Webb became Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gale, the Crystal part of the name change being inspired by the Krystal Hamburger chain.

Crystal made her first big time stage appearances with big sister Loretta and singing partner Conway Twitty.

In the 70s she recorded a song for Decca records, written by Loretta, entitled I've Cried The Blue Right Out of my Eyes, reaching No 23 in the country charts.

Under the production of Allen Reynolds, successil songs were Wrong Road Again and Somebody Loves You (1975) and I'll Get Over You in 1976, which became her first number one.

Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue gave her world recognition in 1976 followed in 1978 with Talkin' In Your Sleep, Why Have You Left The One You Love For Me and Ready for the Times To Get Better.

All these may emanate from Hall One at The Sage, Gateshead, on Thursday, April 5, when she appears in concert.

Tickets: 0191-4434661 and it looks like a House Full sign nihgt. There's also a triple package of country entertainers at the Sage in May... full details in next week's column.