GOLDEN OLDIES

The arrival of Kay Starr, the Modernaires and the Horace Heidt Jr. Orchestra at Orange County’s new Performing Arts Center on Friday night provided an interesting variation on the theme of golden oldies.

The Heidt band--a sterling collection of young and old pros--stuck with a well-played program of big band hits. The Modernaires, including Paula Kelly Jr., daughter of the former lead singer, and Tom Traynor, the only member from the original group, took a few more chances, especially during an updated version of “Jukebox Saturday Night.”

The real surprise was headliner Kay Starr, sounding even better now than during her salad years in the 1950s.

Starr’s stunning performances of Kris Kristofferson’s “For the Good Times” and Billy Vera’s “If I Could Hold You One More Time” which proved that the lady may be golden, but she’ll never be an oldie.