WADDINGTON – The Waddington Concert Summer Series ends Friday, but the town-sponsored event is ending with a touch of twang.

Since they began playing together in 1972, two of the members of Classic Country, Carter Houk and Ronald R. Kirkpatrick, said they have always enjoyed country music.

“I have always liked the sound of the old country music — Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Ray Price, and Hank Williams — we play what we like,” said Mr. Houk, who plays stand-up bass and sings vocals.

For Mr. Kirkpatrick, it’s all about the lyrics.

“It’s my favorite because the words have a lot of meaning and you can relate them to your life,” he said.

The band officially formed in 2000. Mr. Kirpatrick’s son, Joshua H., joined the band in 2005 at age 14.

“I love playing with my father and Carter,” said Mr. Kirkpatrick, who, along with his father, plays lead guitar, rhythm and vocals. “They’ve been together for so long, they know how to read each other. I’ve been brought up on country music ever since I was a kid. It always tells a good story and offers good morals.”

The band has been known to throw a few songs from other genres such as rockabilly and modern country, Mr. Kirkpatrick said.

“We recently started playing Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show,” said Mr. Kirkpatrick. “I just really like the vocals and the guitar work. We came up with our own guitar and work for it, so it shines. We also sing the higher harmonies to really kick it up a notch. The audience has been requesting that one a lot lately.”

Classic Country will perform at Island View Park Pavilion from 6 to 8 p.m.

“We cover a pretty broad group of age people,” said Mr. Houk.

“We really make it fun for the whole audience,” said Mr. Kirkpatrick. “There’s guaranteed to be something for everyone, and we live to entertain.”

The Waddington Concert Series is made possible, in part, with funds from the state Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, administered in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.

The show is also sponsored by Phillips Memorial Home.

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