Mom always liked

them best

Dick and Tommy Smothers

are a national treasure, and they're bringing their act to Peachtree

City this weekend. Their one-of-a-kind take on the American experience

via music and comedy led the way for many acts to follow. In the

early 60s,

The Smothers Brothers turned

folk music on its ear as they injected traditional tunes with brotherly

bickering and absurdist remarks. Dick played the straight man as

he strummed his standup bass to Tommy's frustrated folkie picking

the occasional tune on his acoustic guitar. A dozen top-selling comedy

albums help to spread the word. Eventually they were awarded with

their own comedy and variety show. Soon after, it was clear that

the inmates were at last running the asylum.

The trouble-making troubadours

pushed the envelope more and more until CBS pulled the plug. The

political content of their program which began criticizing the Vietnam

war and the Nixon administration, in general, with the help of people

like Pat Paulson, cost them dearly.

cancelled, they had already secured a place in the hearts of every

malcontent in the country and continued to tour and entertain as

if nothing had ever happened. Now they are preparing to invade the

stage at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater this Friday and Saturday

at 8 p.m.

It is rumored that the Yo

Yo Man will make an appearance as well. For those who haven't

seen Tommy Smother's Zen-like control of the classic toy, this

should be an extra treat and cause widespread Yo Yo envy.

The Sonny and Cher Comedy

Hour, Laugh-In, The Carol Burnett Show, and even Comedy Central's

The Daily Show all owe a little bit of their success to these two

sharp-witted brothers.

The secret to their success

is no mystery. A unique combination of classic musical harmonies,

finely tuned comedic timing, and pure silliness play off each other

as Dick and Tommy play off one another's personalities. Whichever

way you work it, both brothers are the essential half of the other,

even if Tommy may still insist of Dick, "Mom always liked you

best!"

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