Bucky Covington performs at fair

By Greg Ylvisaker of the Daily Times staff
Friday, July 11, 2008 10:30 PM CDT

Katie Wade of West Bend shows an enthused look while receiving an autograph from the night’s headline performer, Bucky Covington. (John Hart/Daily Times)

At about 7:45 p.m. a line of excited fans formed outside of a tour bus on the Jefferson County Fair Park grounds, waiting for Bucky Covington to arrive for a meet-and-greet session. He arrived on a blue Suzuki motorcycle he brings on tour with him as the local band Madison County was warming up the stage for him.

First in line was the newly crowned Jefferson County Fairest of the Fair Kassandra Kramer.

"I started liking him when I saw him at Countryfest," Kramer said. I think his best song is "It's Good to Be Us”. My sister really likes him too. She made me download all of his songs so she could learn the words."

People weren't just there to see Covington. Kay Degner and her daughter Stephanie, both from Watertown, were just as excited to see Madison County. Mike Zibell, lead vocalist for Madison County was a teacher at Watertown High School for several years, and is currently the assistant principal at Riverside Middle School. Kay said he taught both of her daughters.

"I love both of them," she said of Covington and Madison County. " But both of my kids get really excited whenever Madison County comes through the area."

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Stephanie said her favorite songs they performed were "probably “Ticks” by Brad Paisley or “Love Don't Live Here Anymore” by Lady Antebellum. There were those who were there strictly to see Covington however.

Amber Wittenburg of Milwaukee first saw Covington perform last year when he came through her hometown and she became a fan almost instantly. When asked who she was here to see she responded immediately "Bucky for sure."

Covington, 29, first stepped into the national spotlight with a successful run on season five of American Idol. Until then he had been very popular in night clubs around his hometown of Rockingham, N.C.

"The main reason I wanted to get on the show was to get enough recognition to start a career," Covington explains on his Web site.

He finished eighth on Idol, and was noticed by Ron Harris. Harris works for the same management company that manages the popular country band Sawyer Brown. This gave his career the start he had hoped for.

He has two hits on the radio right now, and has a rigorous touring schedule, consisting mostly of state and county fairs. He likes it that way.

"County fairs are awesome," he said. "I see it as the cities and counties giving the people who live there a chance to enjoy a good show for free, whether it is a local band like Madison County out there, or someone they bring in. I think it's a good way to say thank you to the people who live in the community."

He said one of the best part about touring is "getting on stage, singing your songs, and hearing voices in the crowd singing right along with me." Another great aspect of being on the road was also the travel.

"It's great to see the country this way," Covington said. "I love smaller towns like this one, because it is just about the same size as the town I'm from. The people in the smaller towns really appreciate it when you come through. I like to bring my bike with me when I tour. You can't really see the area when someone is driving you around all the time, so I like to get out, ride for a while, and maybe go to a local cafe or restaurant. It's a great way to just relax too."

He said because the catering was so good at the fair, they couldn't resist eating on the grounds.