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.
“I just love his music,” said Bassett, who says her favorite Gracin song is the former #1 Billboard Hot Country Hits single “Nothin’ To Lose,” the evening’s encore. “It was amazing and I love his smile.”
Twenty-two-year-old Ashley Barry concurred with her friend and added the show was “awesome.”
“It just rocked,” stated Barry. “I love his voice; he’s got a fantastic voice.”
Gracin kicked off the show with a bit of surprise, however, performing the introduction to the Led Zeppelin classic “Kashmir,” following which he and his band ran through a string of his classic country-rock tunes, including past hits such as “I Want To Live,” “Stay With Me (Brass Bed),” “We Weren’t Crazy” and a handful of new songs set to appear on his soon-to-be-released Redemption album, “Lie To Me,” “Make You Cry,” “Over Me” and “Cover Girl,” his latest single.
Gracin said the new album is a departure from his previous two efforts in that, this time around, he was the sole producer and songwriter, an experience he found both exciting and “a little scary.”
The 29-year-old father of four added while he’s still a big Garth Brooks fan – his love of country music began when he first heard Brooks at the age of 12 – he’s also influenced by a wide variety of musicians and bands, including the aforementioned Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Eminem and “any old-time R&B and Motown.”
“For me it’s about being able to go on stage and sing my music for everyone that wants to listen and have a good time,” said Gracin, who reported the new album will be available in the near future. “I always knew I wanted to be in music, I just didn’t think it would ever happen this quickly. It’s all about keeping it moving, keeping it going.”
For more information on Josh Gracin, or to listen to several newly released tracks from the forthcoming Redemption album, visit www.joshgracin.com.