Country musician John Conlee performing at civic center

CLOVIS — Soon after Valentine’s Day, things will still be coming up roses in Clovis. Or rather, they’ll be coming up with “rose colored glasses,” a concession item harkening to the signature song of Grand Ole Opry regular and celebrated country musician John Conlee.

With the release last year of the third disc of a greatest hits collection spanning four years of charting music, Nashville-based Conlee performs at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Clovis Civic Center.

He spoke with The News last week to share his excitement at being back in town.

What can audiences look forward to at your concert next week?

Obviously we concentrate on the hits; we won’t get all of the ones they’ve given us. We’ll hopefully hit the favorites: “Rose Colored Glasses,” “Lady Lay Down,” “Common Man” and on and on it goes.

Ah, ‘Rose Colored Glasses,’ your breakout 1978 hit. Do you still wear them?

When I wrote the song, I started it as “love colored glasses,” and then thought of the old catch phrase; that’s the reason I changed it to “rose colored glasses,” because of familiarity with the phase. Early on I did wear a single pair of them, but realized I would probably end up breaking them or losing them.

You’ll see Kid Rock wearing them, too. It surprised us. He was at the White House a few weeks back with the president when they signed a new bill that benefits songwriters. We zoomed in and sure enough it was our (brand) glasses; he picked them up — he’s our new model! Our paths have crossed ever so briefly — we did go to the same antique store a short time back. And I love his taste in eye apparel.

I understand you worked as a mortician before breaking into the country music charts...

Six years as a mortician, right out of high school. Got my license, which I keep renewed, though I don’t practice anymore.

Everything I’ve done to make a living, various things, have all been things I was supposed to do for where I am today. I learned more about service and serving people and helping people (as a mortician) than I could have in any other way, I think.

You’ve had a long career, spanning over four decades now. Have you seen your approach to music evolve very much?

What we’ve always done from day one, and the way we still look for songs right now, is we try to put our hands on the very best songs that we can: I mean songs that have a positive message, with a distinctive melody.

So I’ve never done a concept album, I’ve never said “I’m going to do a song all about pickup trucks,” and predispose the subject matter. I’ve always looked for the best songs I can find, and that’s still the exact way we do it.

And when we find those songs, we try to produce them, not according to a certain plan. ... We let the song determine what it needs, and that’s the best way to go about it, as far as I’m concerned.

What is your take on modern country music?

It’s pretty hard to listen to for more than 15 minutes, to me. What I miss about the new music is the distinctive sound; you can’t tell who’s who without being told, and, also, the song quality is just lacking in my opinion.

There are exceptions across the board, but they’re few and far between. People may say, “Oh that’s sour grapes, that’s an old timer,” but I’m not alone.