Northwest Montana Fair welcomes Kristian Bush

The Northwest Montana Fair welcomes country performer Kristian Bush as this year’s headline act, set to perform on the grandstand stage Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 7:30 p.m. after opening artist Kelsea Ballerini.

Bush said in a recent phone interview that he is excited for the upcoming performance and visit to Big Sky country.

“I love it — I love Montana,” Bush said.

Grammy Award-winning country star Bush — best known as half of country duo Sugarland — has been leaving his mark on music for more than two decades. The singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist started his career with folk-rock duo Billy Pilgrim in the early 1990s; in 2004, he exploded onto the country music scene with Sugarland, surpassing sales of more than 22 million albums worldwide, achieving five No. 1 singles and winning numerous awards, including Grammys, AMAs, ACMs, CMT Music Awards and CMAs. To date, Bush has garnered six BMI Awards for his songwriting, and in 2011 he founded the music publishing company and songwriting collective Songs of the Architect. Recent collaborations include Laura Bell Bundy, Larkin Poe, Dan Tyminski, Lucy Hale and others.

Bush’s debut solo album “Southern Gravity” was released earlier this year. Bush said that while his part in Sugarland has been rewarding, he was happy to have a chance to shine on his own.

“This is a hopeful, joyous album in ways I never saw coming,” Bush said. “It provided a real chance for my message to be heard.”

Bush said he is a big believer in writing songs that send a positive message.

“Is there a responsibility to put a good message in it?” Bush said. “Yes, I think it answers its own question.”

In addition to his music, Bush currently serves as a celebrity ambassador for Goodwill Industries International, with his song “Trailer Hitch” featured as the centerpiece of their #GiveItAway campaign. Before the evening concert, fans are invited to stop by the Kalispell Goodwill Store from noon to 2 p.m. for a free meet-and-greet with Bush. There will also be a donation truck on site at the nightly concert and fans are encouraged to donate gently used clothing, electronics and small household goods. Donors with a bag or more of items at the concert will be eligible to win prizes, including autographed copies of Bush’s album “Southern Gravity,” Goodwill gift cards, tickets to the rodeo and more.

“We carry around a lot of things in our lives, physically and metaphorically,” Bush said. “Goodwill provides an answer, and as an ambassador I get to be part of that.”

For more information on Bush, visit www.kristianbush.com.

Tennessee singer/songwriter Ballerini (www.kelseaballerini.com) will open for Bush. Ballerini is a newcomer to the country music scene and is having great success with her first release, “Love Me Like You Mean It.”

Tickets for Wednesday night’s concert range from $30-$35 for adults (based on seating) and $15 for children ages 6 through 12 years old. Doors open at 6 p.m. The event is rain or shine, and children 5 years old and younger are free.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 406-758-5810 or visit www.nwmtfair.com.