One of the funniest and cleverest things I've seen in a long time was the fake press release announcing a joint tour with co-headliners Styx and Larry the Cable Guy.

I figured The Onion sent it out — or maybe Will Ferrell's Funny or Die website.

Except ... It's not fake.

Seriously, wrap your head around it. Together! Onstage! Styx — the low-calorie prog act behind such hits as "Lady," "Crystal Ball," "Renegade," "Too Much Time," "Fooling Yourself," "Come Sail Away" and many more — and Larry the Cable Guy, the standup comedian whose repertoire focuses on Walmart punchlines and "ugly wimmen" routines.

Both acts are very popular — no argument there — but ... why is this pairing happening? I also want to know why I can't witness this firsthand. Because, sadly, at this point, the Styx/Larry junket comprises only seven shows in Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota and Montana.

No Madison Square Garden or Hollywood Bowl — or, for that matter, Mohegan Sun, the Garde or Foxwoods. And that makes me sad as there is zero chance I'd miss the chance to see this show. I'd love to compare and contrast Larry's set with the Styx presentation, and also take detailed notes on the sort of "fellow travelers" who'd pay money to attend such a thing.

Plus, while no advance word has suggested it might happen, I relish the possibilities if Larry joins Styx onstage or vice versa. Picture a sweating Tommy Shaw, pumping a clenched fist after singing "The Grand Illusion," addressing the adulatory crowd as the band roars towards its finale: "And now we'd like y'all to give a warm Styx welcome to our pal Larry the Cable Guy, who's gonna join us and sing 'Babe!'" Shaw grins towards the wings encouragingly as Larry, in "aw shucks" mode, shuffles out. Shaw hugs him and good-naturedly says, "Let's hear what you've got, ya fat oaf!"

And, perhaps miraculously, Larry's crystalline tenor hits the notes perfectly — except, while nailing the poignant chorus lines "You know it's you, babe / Whenever I get weary and I've had enough," the Cable Mirth-Maker can't resist using the palm-in-the-armpit trick to make contrapuntal fart noises.

Well, in these times when boundaries are being crossed and ours is a culture hopefully more inclusionary and open, let's hope the Styx/Larry tour is the start of more such events things to come. In that spirit, my wife, Eileen, and I have come up with our "co-headline" wish list:

1. Peter Gabriel with Carrot Top

2. Wynton Marsalis with Jeff Dunham

3. Cardi B with Lewis Black

4. Morrissey with Tony Robbins

5. Dream Theater with Flo ("Progressive Insurance" Woman)

6. Vienna Boys Choir with Stormy Daniels