Anderson brings 'big show' to county fair on Friday

Thursday, July 18, 2013

As a Bedford native, Clayton Anderson understands what it's like living in small-town Indiana.

This quickly becomes clear to any Hoosier who listens to songs like "Beer Tastes Better on Friday" or "What You're Missin'" from his debut album "Torn Jeans & Tailgates."

There's something about the way Indiana kids entertain themselves that rings true in Anderson's southern Indiana drawl.

It's also clear he gets small-town life when asked why Putnam County residents should come to his 9 p.m. Friday show at the horse arena at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

"I always give people from my hometown a hard time because they say, 'We never have anything to do. There's nothing to do.' Then when you give them something to do, they don't show up," Anderson said.

By booking Anderson for the fair's opening night, the Fair Board has given locals something to do, even after the VW Brigade has signaled the end of the Fair Parade.

Tickets are available for $8 in advance at Cross Cuts, the Extension Office and at York Pontiac. They will be $10 at the show.

Anderson wants to see as many Putnam County residents as possible at the show.

"Come out and support your hometown county fair," Anderson said. "And, two, it's going to be absolutely a lot of fun. We have a blast. It's a high-energy show and I think you're really going to love it."

High energy could describe Anderson's summer. With "Torn Jeans & Tailgates" almost two years old, the push to promote the album hasn't slowed a bit.

"It's been crazy. I've never had a busier summer in my life," Anderson said. "Usually I like getting back to home to Indiana. I hang out on the water all the time on Lake Monroe and soak up the sun a little bit.

"But this year, it's been non-stop from Iowa to Philadelphia and everywhere in between, playing with great acts like Justin Moore and David Nail. Even got on a couple of Kenny Chesney spots. It's just been crazy, absolutely crazy."

Anyone familiar with Anderson's music knows how much those summers on Lake Monroe fuel tracks like "Summer Sun" or "Beer On a Boat on a Saturday." Fans shouldn't worry, though, Anderson is still putting together some material for his next project.

"I've been writing my butt off in Nashville trying to get ready to do another one (album)," Anderson said. "We've got a bunch of record label interest down here that's really excited about these new songs."

However, the studio doesn't provide all the inspiration he needs, so Anderson recently cooked up a solution.

"I told these guys the other day when I was writing with them, I said, 'Man, we just need to go get a kiddy pool and put it out front on the patio and just let me put my feet in it for a little bit. And then maybe we'll write a really good song,'" Anderson said.

This has been a different kind of summer for Anderson, one that's taken him from Philadelphia to Iowa and a blur of stops in between. There have also been festivals and opening sets for thousand of people, compared with club shows in new towns for a couple of dozen.

Anderson said he finds something enjoyable in them all.

"There is a rush getting to play to a lot of people," he said. "But there's something cool, even if it's a small crowd, if they've got the energy and they're excited about it, those can be the most fun nights."

Through it all, he enjoys about being back among his fellow Hoosiers like he will be on Friday.

"There's something about Indiana that people are just a little more genuine. It's just a different way of life," Anderson said. "I think it's pretty nice when you get people to respond and say, 'That was my life because my grandma cooked really good fried chicken.' They're just all things we did, like jumping off quarries. Theirs is just a common thread between us."

With all the confidence of an artist who's ready for something bigger, Anderson encouraged fans to come to the show while he's still playing in towns this size.

"Come out and see us before you have to jump on the bandwagon in a little bit. We're bringing the big show to the county fair."

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