Big-name season at the Les Schwab Amphitheater starts back up this week, and we’re excited because we’re actually fans of the first two acts — Chris Isaak and Alison Krauss.

For the unfamiliar, this will simply be two consecutive nights of super-high-quality music. Isaak is a top-shelf singer with a classic look (dapper suits, sky-high pompadour) and a classic sound that bops seamlessly from twangy to rockin’ to smooth pop. You might remember his 1991 hit “Wicked Game” and its buttery falsetto chorus: “No, I-I-I-I don’t want to fall in love … with you.”

Similarly, Krauss has been straddling the line between traditional and contemporary since she put out her first solo album as a teenage fiddle prodigy in 1987. She and her band Union Station are, at their core, a bluegrass group that broke through into country music stardom in the mid-1990s thanks to beautiful songs, jaw-dropping playing ability and the famous, crystal-clear voice of its lead singer.

Anyway, we’re big fans (Jasper of Isaak, Salmon of Krauss), so rather than interview these two artists (OK, they didn’t have time to talk to us), we thought we’d argue the merits of each, like two passionate music fans facing off barstool-to-barstool. Only this was more like inbox-to-inbox.

Salmon: All right, David, it’s the day before deadline, and we weren’t able to score interviews with Alison Krauss and Chris Isaak. What do we do now?

Jasper: We had this conversation five minutes ago.

Salmon: Yeah, but now we’re actually writing the story. This is where you cleverly begin a discussion of the merits of Isaak and Krauss, and we humorously argue back and forth about who’s cooler.

Jasper: Oh, right, we’re doing a filler story because, despite the combined 47 years (give or take) of journalism experience between us, we couldn’t land interviews with this week’s cover artists. His handler told me Isaak has to save his voice. That’s understandable — the guy can croon like nobody’s business, and you don’t want to cash in your meal ticket chatting with reporters.

In fact, of the two monster voices coming to Bend this week, I’d say Isaak’s is stronger, clearer and more versatile. (Oh yeah — it’s on!)

Salmon: Forty-seven years experience, eh? Wow, you’re older than you look, Jasper. Me, I’m 31, but I’ve been slogging away in newsrooms since I was, umm, 11. That’s right, I have 20 years experience of my own! Speaking of which — 20. That’s how many Grammy awards Alison Krauss has on her shelf. 20! As in, “I have 20 Grammy awards on my shelf, more than any other woman in history.”

Thumb your nose at the Grammys all you want, pal, that’s impressive.

Jasper: You’re right, I am older than I look. Thank you for noticing.

You know, you may be the first music writer I’ve ever met who puts stock in Grammy Awards. I have two dreaded words for you: Milli Vanilli.

Seriously though, if Krauss is so great, how many supermodels has she canoodled with? How many seasons did her show run on Showtime? Does her hair have a fan club? Does she have a guitar with the name Chris Isaak on it? Did she date Margaret Cho? Does she have a suit made of little mirrors? Didn’t think so.

Isaak may not have a trophy case full of Grammys, but he’s got writing chops, he sings like the son of Roy Orbison, and he covered Cheap Trick’s “I Want You to Want Me” on his recent best-of album. (Here I remind you that the State of Illinois is considering making April 1 Cheap Trick Day. But that’s an argument to save for when and if Cheap Trick ever comes to Bend, and we fail to get an interview.)

Salmon: Milli Vanilli — that’s a low blow. The Grammys are an easy target. Sure, they often get it wrong. But to be recognized 20 times in nearly as many years? You’re saying that means squat? I don’t buy it. Like it or not, it’s the music industry’s highest honor.

And that’s what this is all about, right? Music? Or does music get lost in the shuffle of canoodling, TV shows and shiny, glorious hair? See, the Krauss singing voice is widely considered among the best of her generation. (USA Today called it “one of the purest voices around.” I usually call it “angelic.”) And she’s a phenomenal fiddle player. Add to those qualities a keen pop sensibility and her mega-talented Union Station band, and it’s easy to see why this was the act that carried bluegrass music into the mainstream.

Dis the Grammys all you want. Cite Isaak’s girlfriend and hair-do if you like. Those are nothing but cheap tricks, meant to obscure the real point here: Krauss’s show is one not to be missed.

(Although the suit with the little mirrors does sound pretty awesome.)

Jasper: Hey, the guy’s had two Grammy nominations, all right? And, for what it’s worth, critics adore Isaak. But what I care about is ear candy. When Isaak hits the high notes, like on the stellar ballad “Worked it Out Wrong,” it’s like a full-brain massage. His vocal range allows him to wax bluesy (“Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing”) or cover Orbison (“Only the Lonely”).

And he can rock out, a la the instrumental “Super Magic 2000” from his 1998 album “Speak of the Devil.” None of the gloss would hold up if it weren’t for these things. Face facts: He’s a talented dude who could probably steal your girlfriend out from under you in seconds flat. And you’d still probably like him anyway.

“Aw, that’s just Chris bein’ Chris,” you’d say. “She’ll probably break his heart, crawl back to me, and Chris will write the love ballad of his career as a result.”

Salmon: I’ll give you Isaak’s range. It’s impressive. But Krauss can hold her own in that department. From the traditional bluegrass of her early records to her genuine gospel work (“Down to the River to Pray”) to one of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard, her “Whiskey Lullaby” duet with Brad Paisley, the woman can pretty much do it all. (And don’t forget her stunning cover of “When You Say Nothing At All.” Chances are good that half this town danced to that song at their wedding.)

If Chris Isaak can steal your girlfriend from you in seconds flat, Alison Krauss can steal your heart just as easily.

Jasper: Hey, it’s neat that Krauss can imbue other people’s songs with all that emotion. Isaak, on the other hand, writes his own. I’m starting to think that we’re comparing apples and oranges. Both of these artists are out there slugging away, making their livings playing great music.

Hey, Alison! You’re all right in my book! But I’m still going to see Chris Isaak.

Salmon: Yeah, I was really only arguing to get a rise out of you. I quite like Chris Isaak, and I’m going to see both. Do you want to car pool Monday?

If You Go

Where: Les Schwab Amphitheater, 344 S.W. Shevlin Hixon Drive, Bend

Ticket Outlets: Available at all Ticketmaster locations, including Joe’s (388-5595) and The Ticket Mill in the Old Mill District (318-5457) in Bend, as well as online at ticketmaster.com. Charge by phone at 866-866-4502

Contact: 322-9383, www.bendconcerts.com or www.biglavaconcerts.com

Alison Krauss & Union Station, featuring Jerry Douglas

When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, gates open 5 p.m.

Cost: $35 (general) and $58 (reserved) plus service charges

Chris Isaak

When: 6:30 p.m. Monday, gates open 5 p.m.

Cost: Advance tickets cost $35 (general) and $55 (reserved) plus service charges. At the gate, tickets cost $39 and $59