'We just love country,' crowd crows

More than 8,000 fairgoers bought tickets to see Cagle and Paisley perform.
By KATIE LIBECCO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CANFIELD -- Fans lined up at least two hours early to see country stars Brad Paisley and Chris Cagle perform Sunday night at the Canfield Fair.
Kristy Sipes and Trisha Baddeley of Deerfield, Pa., were in front to see Cagle for their first time. Cagle took the stage first and had most people in the crowd on their feet by his second song.
Carlye Slaughter, 16, and Jamie Reddinger, 17, of Sharpsville, Pa., were only a few spots back in the line, saying they wanted to see Paisley more than Cagle. The girls said they couldn't wait to hear him perform "Whiskey Lullaby."
A first
"We just love country!" they said together with a giggle. It was the first time either got to see Paisley or Cagle perform live.
Total attendance of the performance was about 8,000. Ticket booth officials said that the grandstand was "a packed house."
Michelle and Ray Bishop of Niles, in matching cowboy hats and boots, waited in their seats near the front of the show.
"I like the kind of niche songs that Paisley does, like 'Alcohol,' which everyone loves," Ray Bishop said. "He just has fun little songs that you can relate to. Most country songs are so serious, but he makes country fun."
Different favorites
Bishop said he couldn't wait to hear Paisley perform his favorite song, "The Fishin' Song," but his wife said that she wanted to hear "Alcohol."
"I'm actually calling my daughter during the show so that she can hear Brad play 'Alcohol,'" Michele Bishop said with a laugh.
Debbie Miller of Salem, an usher for the show, said she felt very lucky to be working the concert.
"This is a perfect evening weather-wise, and I can't wait to see Brad," Miller said. "They're a lot of fun; it's fun music. I'm excited to hear 'Alcohol,' too -- it should get the audience going."
She said that she began listening to Paisley a few years ago after he performed at the Canfield Fair. She was excited to hear both performers, adding that she was really starting to enjoy Cagle's music.
Political opinions
Cagle took time between songs to voice his opinion on veterans' rights and other political issues.
"It is my belief that if you have children and you serve overseas, that if you should die, your children should get a free education," Cagle said.
"Maybe someone out there knows a politician or someone that I can sit down and talk to them about this."
Miller has worked at the Canfield fair for 23 years, and at the concerts for 17. She said she began to usher for the first row about six years ago. "It's a great opportunity to do this, it really is," she said.
Tonight's grandstand performance at the Canfield Fair will feature comedian Larry the Cable Guy at 8 p.m.