Rising country artist Anderson pleases fair crowd

August 6, 2009

Rising country artist Anderson pleases fair crowd

By Dan Richter
For the Wausau Daily Herald

Country music artist Keith Anderson brought a mix of country-rock and good-feelin' twang to the grandstand in Marathon Park on Wednesday night.

Anderson, who played to a fairly full house, was the second of five acts scheduled to perform this week as part of the 141st Wisconsin Valley Fair.

While I hadn't heard of Anderson until he was booked for the fair, it was easy to see why he has so many fans. Anderson projected a laid-back country style that drew many fairgoers to the grandstand decked out in cowboy hats and boots, and had an engaging stage presence that made the event feel like one giant party.

Sheri Norton, 20, of Weston, said she has been a fan of Anderson almost from the beginning of his career.

"I've listened to country music all my life, so I know a lot of artists, and he's got some pretty good music," Norton said.

Another fan, 11-year-old Kaylee Bukolt of Antigo, had similar feelings. "I like his music and his personality, and I know a lot of his songs," she said.

Anderson, a native of Oklahoma, worked as a landscaper and personal trainer in the early 2000s before pursuing his dreams of professional singing. In 2005, he got the big break he was looking for and released his first album, "Three Chord Country and American Rock & Roll," which contained the hits, "Pickin' Wildflowers" and "Every Time I Hear Your Name," both of which he performed in Wausau.

Anderson released his second full-length studio album, "C'mon!," in 2008. The album spawned his first top-five hit, "I Still Miss You."

I was interested to find out that Anderson also is a songwriter, having written songs for country artists Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich, including the latter's 2007 hit, "Lost in This Moment," which Anderson also performed Wednesday night.

"He's not one of the biggest names in country ... but he's nonetheless just as good as all the big shots are," said Norton.

Rock legend Alice Cooper will perform tonight beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the grandstand. Admission to the concert is free with entrance into the fair, while reserved seating is sold out.