No cowboy (or cowgirl) hats. Not a one. That's one thing that set apart K102's Class of '09.

About 1,700 country fans showed up Wednesday at Mystic Lake Casino open to the mystery of five brand-new country groups, only one of which has a Top 10 hit.

"Ninety percent of what you'll hear tonight is unfamiliar," K102 programmer Gregg Swedberg said in a mid-show interview. "We could have gone with Zac Brown and Gloriana, but they're on other tours."

Instead, K102 went with Love & Theft, Trailer Choir and three other newbies, all of whom seemed comfortable and confident onstage. K102, Minnesota's top country radio station, staged similar shows in 2002,'04 and '06, when a teenager who hadn't yet released an album, Taylor Swift, won over fans.

No one in the Class of '09 may have Taylor-like potential, but all showed promise.

Jypsi

The skinny: Three sisters and a brother from Galena, Ill.

The review: With two fiddlers and a mandolinist, they had a traditional-sounding foundation, but their look and sensibilities were more modern pop/rock. "Lipstick," their best number, suggested Katy Perry and Miranda Lambert meeting at the women's restroom at a bluegrass concert.

Grade: C-plus

TRAILER CHOIR

The skinny: A funny guy, a fat guy and a blonde babe

The review: Big Vinny, all 372 pounds of him, can dance and do the splits. (Really!) Butter, the lead singer, has a charming sense of humor. How can you argue with "Rockin' the Beer Gut"? This trio will have to grow beyond its Big & Rich collides with the Barenaked Ladies novelty vibe.

Grade: B

STEEL MAGNOLIA

The skinny: This male/female duo won this year's "Can You Duet" on CMT

The review: Meghan Linsy sounded like Adele, the British R&B singer, with a twang and Joshua Scott sounded like James Morrison, the British soulman. Despite her twang, what they performed wouldn't really be considered country, but their smoldering sexuality, her potent voice and his musical instincts can't be denied. At their best, they were borderline brilliant.

Grade: A-minus

LOVE AND THEFT

The skinny: Three guys who trade off vocals and guitar work

The review: Country's young female fans loved these cute guys, whose pop-rock sounds like Lifehouse with Rascal Flatts' harmonies. Their hit "Runaway" is the best Rascal Flatts song of the year.

Grade: B

BOMSHEL

The skinny: Two blondes with vintage Farrah Fawcett hair.

The review: They looked like the 1970s and sounded like 1980s big-hair rock bands with a fiddle. Big hair, big phonies, big bomb.

Grade: C-plus.

Jon Bream • 612-673-1719