By WILLIAM KERNS
A-J Entertainment Editor

In case you missed earlier reports, it was confirmed that country musicians Marty Stuart and Connie Smith were married on July 8 in Pine Ridge, S.D.

That means that the Panhandle-South Plains Fair stumbled into booking what many are calling the Grand Ole Opry's ''new first couple'' - but the two will not be performing together. In fact, Smith will headline the 1997 fair's opening night performance, and Stuart will close the fair eight nights later.

Grand Ole Opry members Connie Smith and Stonewall Jackson will perform at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sept. 20 at the Fair Park Coliseum on the Panhandle-South Plains Fairgrounds. Featured guests Bobby Bare and Stella Parton will open each show. Reserved-seat tickets are priced at $10.

Country recording artist Marty Stuart will headline concerts at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the Fair Park Coliseum on the Panhandle-South Plains Fairgrounds. Reserved-seat tickets are priced at $10. Smith, 55, has been married three previous times and has a very long string of hits to her credit, beginning with ''Once a Day'' in 1964.

Stuart, 38, is divorced from Cindy Cash, the daughter of country legend Johnny Cash. He is known for flashy stage shows and is also remembered for his duet hits with Travis Tritt, including ''The Whiskey Ain't Workin'°'' and ''Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best.''

Among the other confirmed concerts at this year's fair:

•Petra will perform concerts of contemporary Christian music at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sept. 21. Reserved-seat tickets are priced at $10.

•Standup comedian and country recording act Bill Engvall will headline performances at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sept. 23. Reserved-seat tickets are priced at $10.

•Hispanic recording artists and father-and-son act Roberto and Bobby Pulido will perform concerts at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sept. 24. Reserved-seat tickets are priced at $10.

•Country recording act Diamond Rio will headline concerts at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sept. 26. Reserved-seat tickets are priced at $10.

Copyright Lubbock Avalanche-Journal 1997