NORWICH – Following five weeks of the Chenango Blues Association’s Summer Concert Series and the night after legendary guitarist Les Dudek rocked the Chenango County Fair Entertainment Tent, it seemed county residents and fairgoers were ready for a little country – Josh Gracin-style.
Approximately 1,700 fans of the American Idol finalist – he placed fourth overall in the second season – were on hand last night to witness Millennium Entertainment’s Guitars Under the Stars showcase, according to Millennium owner Terry Potter.
Hours before Gracin would hit the stage, local favorites Hailey and Shawn, 12-year-old vocal phenom Kaitlyn Jackson – who recently returned from a recording session in Nashville – the Beadle Brothers and Cassidy Lynn and Sundown wowed the crowd with foot-stomping offering of country and country-influenced performances.
“This is a great show and we appreciate all of the support we’ve received from our friends, family and fans; it means the world to us,” said Matt Beadle, who reported the brothers’ debut album, “To the Moon and Back,” continues to do well on radio and with fans new and old. “This was just a great time.”
Potter said he was “honored” the Chenango County Fair Board had asked Millennium Entertainment and Guitars Under the Stars back for a third year and reported a “near sell-out” crowd attending the event.
“It’s our pleasure every year to try and bring in the best talent we can, whether from Nashville or Norwich,” added Potter. “It just goes to show that some of the best talent out there can be found off the beaten path.”
Prior to Gracin’s anticipated performance, approximately 100 self-described “die-hard” fans lined up for a chance to meet the former Idol contestant for a quick picture and autograph, an experience 17-year-old Norwich resident Katelynn Bassett said she’ll never forget.
