MISSION – Pendleton holds a special place in the heart of country singer Tommy Overstreet, who will be appear in a special Mother’s Day concert Thursday at Wildhorse Resort and Casino.

Overstreet is a native of Texas but now lives in Aloha with his wife, Diane, and their two daughters.

“I met her at the rodeo finals,” Overstreet said. Diane was Miss Northwest Rodeo at the time. “Then I came up to do the Happy Canyon dance, she and her mother and some friends were there. We made a lunch date for the next day, I had lunch and fell in love.”

The couple continued a long-distance relationship for a year culminating with their marriage and Diane’s move to Nashville. They stayed in the east until Overstreet’s mother died and then made the move west to allow their daughters to be near their grandparents.

Overstreet’s career has spanned more than 30 years, during which he’s enjoyed seven No. 1 country hits. He has made 32 European tours, appeared on television and in Las Vegas and was one of the first musical talents to move to Branson, Mo.

“I like to say I’ve been gainfully unemployed since 1968,” he said.

Overstreet credits his uncle, Gene Austin, with giving him a solid basis in the music business. Austin was a well-known singer from 1926 until 1940. He made his mark by being the first artist to record “My Blue Heaven,” selling more than 8.5 million records of the now well-known standard.

It was Austin who offered the young Overstreet advice on how to find his own personal style in an era when Elvis, Sam Cook and Johnny Cash were all claiming the spotlight.

“He said ‘borrow from them, but form you’re own sound.’ That was the best advice I ever got,” Overstreet said.

In addition to performing, Overstreet has conducted seminars for young people interested in getting into the entertainment industry. He said he hopes to find a college or university setting in which to continue that focus.

“In most careers you need a college degree – in the entertainment field you need experience, it’s not a job you can fill out an application for,” Overstreet said.

Overstreet said he escaped the drug and alcohol trap that ensnared many of his contemporaries but was guilty for many years of being a workaholic. In 1979 he made 329 one-night performances, released two albums and logged more than 258,000 miles on his bus. These days he takes a more relaxed attitude, putting family before performing.

But he still enjoys performing and interacting with audiences.

“I sing a few hits and then talk, tell a few stories and get to know the people a bit,” Overstreet said. “I have fun with the people and they have fun with me.” Concert info

What: Mother’s Day concert by country singer Tommy Overstreet.

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Wildhorse Resort and Casino

Tickets: $10 at the door or in advance from at the casino.

More information: Call (800) 654-9453 or access www.wildhorseresort.com.