Country crooner Bryant to take State Fair stage Friday

Rising country star Chase Bryant is ready to take on the Iowa State Fair. The Texas native said he is excited about his upcoming performance tonight.

“(It is going to be) entertainment,” Bryant said during a phone interview while on tour. “Up on stage there will be fun, angst and a lot of reckless energy. We will be putting on a show.”

Bryant’s ability to give an energetic performance is in his DNA. His family tree is filled with musicians including his grandfather who played keys for Roy Orbison and Waylon Jennings, and his uncles who founded ‘90s country group Ricochet.

“I grew up with music. (Music) is in my blood,” he said.

The “Take It On Back” and “Little Bit Of You” singer started writing songs when he was just 13. As a teenager he moved to Nashville to pursue a music career and made a splash as he was able to produce, write songs for and play for his own album.

“Somehow I got lucky enough to sign a publishing deal and started working on producing my own stuff because I didn’t have the money to go pay for cutting demos or cutting records,” he said.  “I got lucky enough to write my own record, playing guitar on all the record, then producing the record itself. It has been a fun ride and had a lot of good opportunities.”

At just 23, Bryant has learned to write music that moves people. Noting his musical influences including Tom Petty, Bryan Adams, Fleetwood Mac, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill and Keith Urban, helped him write  music that listeners can enjoy and relate to.

“I think it’s a matter of the music is relatable and something people can listen to, live vicariously through, and something people can connect too,” Bryant said “When I made this record I tried to make something that is related to something you’ve been through, you’re about to go through or something you’re going through in the moment and I think that is why people of any age can really connect to the music.”

Bryant will be performing at 8 p.m. Friday at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater. His concert is free with the price of admission. Bryant is one of 13 country acts offering free shows during the 11-day Iowa State Fair. Other country artists performing include Deana Carter, Cam, Marty Stuart and Confederate Railroad.

The Iowa State Fair appearance is one of nearly 200 shows for Bryant this year. While constantly on the move, the young country heartthrob said he doesn’t forget to stop and enjoy the experience.

“We’ve just stayed so busy the last couple years but I’m having a blast doing what I’m doing,” he said. “I’m waking up each day and realizing I get to fulfill my dreams and that my dreams as a kid are all coming true.”