Don McLean plays Harkness

Despite his rich and long-running body of work, every article ever written about singer-songwriter Don McLean includes a reference to his most famous song. You know: the one about, ah, Buddy Holly.

As great as (that song) is - and, yes, we've all driven our Chevys to various levees whilst listening to it - we feel the rest of McLean's catalog is slighted, so we're not going to even mention (that song) by its name.

Now, McLean sings Wednesday as part of the August Nights at Harkness ... Music the Way It Was series in Waterford. You'll hear the Biggie, of course, but anticipate such McLean treasures as "Castles in the Air," "Dreidel," "If We Try" and, of course, "Vincent (Starry Starry Night)," which is almost as iconic as that Other Tune.

Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez open, and the Meadows Brothers with special guest Molly Bowers are the evening's Youth Performers.

- RICK KOSTER

August Nights at Harkness ... Music the Way It Was presents Don McLean, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, gates open at 4 p.m. for picnicking, Harkness Memorial State Park, 275 Great Neck Road, Waterford; $24 advance, $30 at the gate, $20 group rate for 10 or more, VIP packages available; (860) 434-1882, bringourmusicback.org.