Stars light up the grandstand

Two of country's biggest talents headline two shows at the fair

Award-winning country and western singers Neal McCoy and Mark Chesnutt headline the entertainment at this year s Northwest Montana Fair.

McCoy performs 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Chesnutt takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the fairgrounds in Kalispell.

McCoy is a two-time Entertainer of the Year (TNN/Music City News) with one gold and three platinum albums. He is also now head of his own music label, 903 Music, whose first release is That s Life, McCoy s latest collection of honky-tonk anthems, tender ballads and American music.

That s Life is one of McCoy s most varied albums: Last of a Dying Breed, features a tribute to America s working men; Let Me Be the Hero, is sung with candor and tenderness; Billy s Got His Beer Goggles On is a classic McCoy hoot and the album s first single; and a Western swing and fiddle fest is represented on Head South.

McCoy was first discovered in 1981, when he won a talent contest that was attended by Janie Fricke. She helped him land a slot on tour as Charley Pride s opening act.

He spent six years in that capacity, and finally left to pursue his own recording career in 1988, when he released his debut single, That s How Much I Love You.

Throughout the 1990s, McCoy released one album after another, with his popularity increasing dramatically throughout the decade.

He eventually logged five No. 1 singles ( No Doubt About It, You Gotta Love That, They re Playing Our Song, For a Change and Wink ) and many others that made the Top 5 ( The City Put the Country Back in Me, Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye, The Shake ) or Top 10 ( If I Was a Drinking Man ).

Throughout 2004, McCoy mixed the business side of launching his label with his usual backbreaking tour schedule, which includes his commitment to perform for U.S. troops on USO tours. One highlight from last year was his trip to Iraq, where he performed with his good friend Wayne Newton in the Green Zone. Like all who tour for the USO, Neal offers his services for free.

McCoy is known for his humanitarian work as well as his music. He and his wife, Melinda, have been running the East Texas Angel Network for 10 years now, through which they ve raised more than $3 million for low-income parents with seriously ill children. In March 2005, the Academy of Country Music spread the word throughout the world by nominating him for the Home Depot Humanitarian Award.

Mark Chesnutt is one of country s true musical treasures. Critics have hailed him as a classic country singer of the first order and some of country music s most elite entertainers from George Jones to George Strait echo this sentiment. Chesnutt s stature is easily gauged; he has 14 No. 1 hits, 23 top-ten singles, four platinum albums and five gold records.

Country music critics and fans alike need look no further when it comes to country music basics.

Remaining true to himself as a traditional country artist while still keeping up with the ever-changing country landscape, Chesnutt has a knack for picking great songs; delivering them with his world-class vocals; and with real heart-felt emotion.

Chesnutt got his start in the honky-tonks of Beaumont, Texas, learning from his father, Bob Chesnutt, a singer, record collector, and major fan of classic country music.

In 1989, Chesnutt was signed to MCA Nashville. With the release of his first single, Too Cold At Home, he established himself as one of country s most authentic and talented vocalists.

He was one of Billboard s 10 most-played radio artists of the 1990s. His singles were some the decade s most memorable; from the fun tempo Bubba Shot The Jukebox to emotional ballads such as I ll Think Of Something.

He is easily identified for his string of hits including Brother Jukebox, Blame It On Texas, Old Flames Have New Names, Old Country, It Sure Is Monday, Almost Goodbye, I Just Wanted You To Know, Going Through The Big D, It s A Little Too Late, Gonna Get A Life, and one of his biggest, I Don t Want To Miss A Thing which held its position at the top of the charts for four consecutive weeks.

Tickets for either concert are $20 for general admission and $25 for reserved seating. General admission tickets are $25 the day of the concert.

Tickets can be purchased at the fairgrounds office or by calling 758-5810.