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Country singer McCreery comes to Fair Aug. 4

Garfield County Communications
Scotty McCreery
Provided |

The Garfield County Fair and Rodeo has long been a place for heroes from far and near, but in 2017, it will also be home to a few country music idols.

Country music entertainer Scotty McCreery comes to Rifle on Aug. 4. McCreery’s real-life lyrics and deep, warm voice have attracted masses of loyal fans, affectionately known as the “McCreerians.”

The 23-year-old Academy of Country Music, Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) and Country Music Television award winner’s first three albums all debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, and three singles have been certified platinum by the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA). McCreery became the youngest man of any musical genre and first country music artist in history to have his first album debut atop the all-genre Billboard top-200 albums chart. He first came to national attention after winning “American Idol” in 2011.



His new hit single, “Five More Minutes,” is a reflection on the positive impact his grandfather had on his life. McCreery penned the song — with help from producer Frank Rogers and songwriter Monty Criswell — just two weeks after his grandfather’s death in 2015. The day he completed the nostalgic, heartfelt song, McCreery knew he had written a song worthy of his grandfather’s memory.

“We wrote it a few years and some change ago. The day I wrote it, I tweeted out and said that ‘I think I had just written my favorite song I’d ever written in my life,’” he said in a July 6 interview on the Ty, Kelly & Chuck Mornings show. “And it still holds true today.”



McCreery added in that interview that his grandfather “was the coolest cat ever.”

Many of his other hits, including “I Love You This Big,” “Feelin’ It,” “Southern Belle,” “Water Tower Town,” and “The Trouble with Girls,” are staples of country music lovers’ playlists worldwide. “See You Tonight” was one of BMI’s top-50 country songs of 2015.

The native North Carolinian is as humble as he is talented. McCreery supports numerous charitable causes, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The 12.14 Foundation, World Vision, MLB RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), The Opry Trust Fund, and other organizations.

Grits and Glamour kick off the fun

Opening for McCreery are Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan, two members of country music royalty, who together form the hit act Grits and Glamour. Since 2009, the “Dos Divas” have been rocking audiences with their spot-on harmonies and insider tales of country music lore.

Daughter of country music legend Mel Tillis, Pam is a Grammy-award-winning singer, who has appeared on the hit ABC television series “Nashville.” She also earned Female Vocalist of the Year from the Country Music Awards in 1994.

Lorrie, daughter of the late Grand Old Opry star George Morgan, is the first woman in country music to begin her career with three consecutive platinum records. She first played at the Grand Ole Opry in her native Nashville at age 13.

The duo has recorded a combined for 28 top-10 hits, including a dozen No. 1 songs, all while selling more than 18 million records.

Tillis and Morgan are true country girls at heart, but they’ve been known to sport high heels while strumming a guitar and singing their hits, including Tillis’ “Maybe It Was Memphis,” and “Mi Vida Loca,” and Morgan’s “Something in Red” and “Except for Monday.”

“We’ve been called divas a time or two,” Morgan has said.

“Now, I’m sure they meant it in the best sense of the word,” Tillis added. “As far as being divas, we share the title and the responsibility.”

The Garfield County Fair and Rodeo has become a destination for exceptional live music. In 2016, Grammy-nominated artist Josh Turner, and Academy of Country Music Awards New Male Vocalist of the Year nominee Chris Janson, delighted sold-out crowds. Last year’s concert smashed past attendance records, with nearly 3,500 tickets sold. In 2015, concertgoers enjoyed country music star Gary Allan and one of his signature, raucous live performances.

This year’s lineup is sure to add another legendary chapter in the Fair and Rodeo’s history of amazing musical performances. The fun takes place at the Garfield County Fairgrounds, 1001 Railroad Ave. on Friday, Aug. 4. Doors open at 5 p.m., and Grits and Glamour take the stage at 7 p.m., followed by McCreery. Tickets are $10-$60, and are available at garfieldcountyfair.com.


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