Music: Pops seeks elixir of youth

You read it here first yesterday, but you can pick up a Globe this morning and read about Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and Cowboy Troy joining the Boston Pops for the Fourth of July concert on the Esplanade. The more interesting piece, though, is Geoff Edgers' story on the decision to have Guster as the Pops' guest tonight and tomorrow, in hopes of attracting younger listeners. Too bad that Keith Lockhart's vision of an open-air show in Copley Square couldn't happen. The shows with the band of former Tufts students sold out rapidly; their set will include new material not due on an album until next year. And in addition to a little Stravinsky, Lockhart's going to throw Tod Machover's edgy "Jeux Deux" at the kids who turn up, complete with prepared "hyperpiano." Although some found the work underwhelming when it debuted a couple of weeks ago, that's just the kind of stuff orchestras will need to get that younger demographic. But someone ought to tell Lockhart and Pops manager Tony Beadle that "Generation X" is like, so 1993.