State Fair Concert Review

By Dan Deming

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I wasn’t planning to review Kansas State Fair concerts this year, in part because it may be unfair not to attend them all, which I neither have the time or money to do.  But this year’s entertainment lineup has been quite good and varied ranging from countries’ Wynonna Judd to the Goo Goo Dolls, an opportunity for Swifties to sing Taylors’ music to closing Sunday afternoon with the aging but still iconic Oak Ridge Boys.

After attending Wednesday night’s contemporary Christian concert by Katy Nichole opening for Casting Crowds it became almost mandatory to praise state fair talent bookers for probably the best Christian artist performance ever to grace the grandstand.

Some of us who enjoy contemporary Christian music enjoy and admire the songs we hear on radio and in church but naming the group or individual making them popular is difficult.  So it goes with Katy Nichole, a 24-year-old up-and-coming singer who doesn’t use her last name (Litwiller) but appears on her way to equaling or surpassing other better-known Christian artists.  

Singing in her church at an early age and writing songs at age 14 have helped propel this young, promising singer to several awards, sales success and a fascinating story about overcoming scoliosis, which left her with debilitating pain, spinal surgery and divine inspiration that channeled her medical career into what may be on the verge of a Christian singing superstar.

Katy Nichole gave Kansas fairgoers a nearly hour concert before turning things over (after a longer than should have been needed stage transition for the next act) to Casting Crowns, an even bigger eight-member group that started in Daytona Beach, Florida and now headquarters out of suburban Atlanta.  Virtually every member of Casting Crowns is active in their church, often only touring Thursdays through Saturdays so they can remain leaders of their predominantly Baptist congregations.    

Lead singer-songwriter Mark Hall started the group[ in 1999 and has an uncanny ability to write lyrics that bring out emotions and meaning that grip audiences and tell amazingly simple and relatable stories.  The musicians include a violinist/singer, two women and Halls’ son.  They’ve already won Grammy and Dove Awards and back in 2009 became one of the few American music groups to sing in North Korea. 

An unusually large crowd saw Casting Crows and Katy Nicole perform at this year’s state fair and if you enjoy contemporary Christian music and missed them watch for future concerts in nearby cities. Either or both are highly worth attending and thank the Kansas State Fair for bringing such impressive religious ambassadors to Hutchinson.