Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Country music lovers should have plenty to look forward to with Friday’s arrival of the York Fair.

Yeah, Lady Antebellum and Jason Aldean are being featured on the fair’s Grandstand.

But for a whole lot less money, you can see shows by Lee Brice (“Love Like Crazy”), David Nail (“Red Light”), Laura Bell Bundy (love that “Giddy On Up” video) and several others.

They’re among the free concerts being presented on the Great Country Radio Stage courtesy of WGTY. For a complete rundown of artists and showtimes, check out this story by York Dispatch reporter Lauren Whetzel.

Last year as Idol blogger I attended the Grandstand shows by David Cook and Kelly Clarkson. Great shows (OK, truth be known, Kelly’s was way too wet and muddy).

But I enjoyed a free concert on the country stage by former Idol contestant Bucky Covington every bit as much, partly because of the more intimate setting. That allowed Bucky to pull a fan up on stage at one point and dance out into the crowd at another.

This year’s free shows include another former Idol contestant, Josh Gracin, who finished fourth way back in season two, then released a debut album that yielded three top 10 country singles.

I interviewed Josh Tuesday about his new single and his plans for a third album.

Though he had been singing since 13, he still credits the Idol experience with giving him the confidence to realize he could make a career out of music.

With a busy tour schedule and four young children to help care for when he’s home, Josh says he doesn’t get to watch the show much these days.

But he thinks American Idol is being shrewd in its strategy to combat falling ratings.

“They’re doing it,” Josh said. “What they’re doing with all the publicity around who they’re going to be picking for the judges is exactly how they’re doing it. They’re doing it well.”Watch for the rest of the interview with Josh later this week. He’ll be playing 8 p.m. next Wednesday (Sept. 15) at the fair’s Faire Vue Cafe.

And be sure to check out the Great Country Radio Stage shows, too. I think you’ll agree; they’re one of the fair’s best bargains.