For some reason, I thought it would be a good idea to delve into Chris Cagle’s private life at the beginning of the interview. After all, the country singer’s behind-the-scenes setbacks – vocal ailments, assault charges, paternity woes – have generated quite a few headlines over the last few years.

Cagle will kick off this year’s Puyallup Fair concerts tonight with songs from his latest album, “My Life Is Like a Country Song.” And for my preview story, I thought the country music star might give us some insight into what its like to have his most personal and embarrassing moments scrutinized, or what’s helped him get through tough times. Wherever the guy wanted to go with it.

But, nope! That train went off the tracks less than two minutes into our phone call. This is how it went down, and you can also listen to the exchange on Bring the Noise (blogs.thenewstribune.com/ej):

Just based on the album title, for starters, how is your life like a country song? And in what ways is it surprisingly not like a country song?

Man, I think the whole title came from the joke, “What happens if you play a country song backwards?” You know, you get your dog back, your horse back, your truck back, your house back and all that crap.

I was kind of trying to make a joke at kind of what’s been … (considers). I’ve had some personal things in my career that I’ve had to struggle through and try and get through. And it’s no different from anybody in life. We’ve all got our stories. I just thought that that was the perfect title of this kind of thing. My life’s been a country song. Whose hadn’t? Know what I mean?

Of course, you mention some of the stuff you’ve been through. Lines in the song remind you of that. What’s the line? “It’s all about fallin’ down and gettin’ back up” you sing in the song.

Yep.

So of all those situations your fans have read about, which ones have been the most difficult for you to deal with? And what has kind of helped you get through those?

They’re all difficult to deal with, and I just get through ’em any way I can.

(Awkward pause as I contemplate how to proceed into touchier territory.) OK, OK. … I guess 2004 was an especially rough year for you. You had some vocal problems. You had some issues with your ex-girlfriend.

Say, man! This is 2008, and I want to talk about music. If you want to talk about the past, then call somebody else. I’m out. (Cagle hangs up.)

Jeez! Temper, temper. A simple “no comment” would have worked. Then we could have gotten to my next 10 music questions.

But I guess I feel bad for the guy, and can understand him being touchy about his ex. Cagle discovered he wasn’t the biological father of her baby a couple of years ago. And a Tri-City Herald story (on Page 7) quotes Cagle as saying, “That was hard. But it was worse because there wasn’t a lot of grace within the music industry about it. I heard a lot of ‘ha-has.’ I could never understand how people could laugh at someone else’s calamity and shame. But I’ve moved past that now, too.”

Oh, well. I was planning to skip that show, anyway, and instead head over to the Emerald Queen Casino tonight to check out Al Green. The soul legend – best known for hits “Let’s Stay Together” and “Love and Happiness” – is experiencing a big resurgence in popularity thanks to an amazing new album, “Lay It Down.” The disc recently reached No. 9 on the Billboard 200, the singer’s best showing in years.

Granted, a lot of the buzz has been generated by the hip, contemporary supporting cast Green enlisted for his latest effort. The Roots’ Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson and James Poyser produced “Lay It Down” and were at the core of the studio band that made the record. The disc also features cameos by three of today’s hottest R&B singers, Anthony Hamilton, Corinne Bailey Rae and John Legend. (Hamilton is an especially obvious choice since his singing voice has drawn a few comparisons to Green’s.)

But while his collaborators help put Green’s music in a more contemporary context, don’t assume he’s going for a hip-hop makeover. Green’s honey-sweet crooning and creamy, old-school grooves recall the man’s classic ’70s period.

Tonight’s show is not to be missed. And time will tell, but don’t be surprised if you see the new disc on my year-end best albums list.

Ernest A. Jasmin: 253-274-7389