American Idol Finalist Rocks Fair Crowd
As it has for several other country music artists over the years, including Garth Brooks, the Coshocton County Fair provided a perfect venue Monday for up-and-coming Bucky Covington.
Covington ripped through a set which had the grandstand rocking and those with track seating dancing in the aisles.
That despite a heavy downpour which lasted more than an hour, and some technical difficulties which pushed Covington 's debut before the local crowd back to nearly 9 p.m.
" Ohio is a great place for country crowds, they love their country music," said Covington . "And I love coming to smaller towns like Coshocton, because the people are so appreciative."
Covington , a native of Rockingham , N.C. , burst onto the scene in 2006, when he made it to the final eight on American Idol.
"That first step was the hardest," Covington said, of taking the chance by trying out for Idol. "I was working in my dad's auto shop, and I told him, 'I can't wake up when I'm 40 and wonder what it could have been like.'"
He said Idol was a great first step to get his name out there; the second was putting together a great team as far as management and back band.
"I did a lot of shutting up and listening, and learned about the business at first," he said.
It didn't hurt that he caught the attention of Sawyer Brown front man and producer Mark Miller, and their partnership led to a deal with Lyric Street Records and his debut single, "A Different World."
The rangy, long-haired 29-year-old has definitely picked up a following since his success on American Idol.
"I watched him on the (Idol) show, and he's just awesome," said Coshocton resident Crystal McVey, who came to the show with husband Donnie.
Port Washington resident Dominique Westhafer was a little disappointed, despite getting an autographed photo of Bucky.
"I didn't get to meet him," she explained. "I really didn't watch him on American Idol, but my mom did, and then I heard some of his music. I just love him."
Amanda Salters, a 10th- grader at Coshocton High, came to the show with friends Kalina Scaggs-Payne and Tracey Scaggs. She was ready to take her love of Bucky one step further.
"Oh, I'm his girlfriend," Salters said, through her friends' giggles. "He's pretty hot, that's why we're here."
"I like all country music, but I'm more into Bucky," added Tracey Scaggs.
Jennifer Ricketts, also of Coshocton, was just appreciative that the fair board is able to bring big shows to the fair.
"It's usually the one time of the year when we get to see a live Nashville act here in Coshocton," Ricketts said.
The American Idol finalist got a kick start from Capitol Music recording artist Lady Antebellum, a trio comprised of Hillary Scott and friends Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood.
The group formed a little more than a year ago and has already opened for Josh Turner and Carrie Underwood and played the Grand Ole Opry.
"We started writing songs, and we thought, 'Maybe we've got a band here,'" said Kelley. "Then we started playing some shows and we're trying to build some buzz. Our first single just went to radio and we're out here promoting it."
Scott was thrilled to be playing in Coshocton, as friend Jolinda (Lewis) Miller was born and raised not far from here.
"Jolinda took me for my first drive through Amish country," Scott said. "It's going to be so fun playing here" she said, shortly before the trio took the stage.
Miller, better known as the former River View Lady Bear basketball star who went on to the University of Cincinnati , was thrilled to see her friend's dreams coming true.
"To me, she's just Hillary who I go shopping with and I have Starbucks with," Miller said. "Hillary was a bridesmaid at my wedding. And I've been fortunate enough to be around the band and hear all of their new songs. It's good, catchy music. The bulk of their listeners are the 13- to 25-year-olds, but there is something there for everyone."
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