![](https://www.sent-trib.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/133466029_web1_Sammy-Kershaw.jpg)
Sammy Kershaw
![](https://www.sent-trib.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/133466029_web1_Collin-Raye--1-.jpg)
Collin Raye
![](https://www.sent-trib.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/133466029_web1_Aaron-Tippin.jpg)
Aaron Tippin
The Root & Boots Tour will be the headline musical act at this year’s Wood County Fair, with three male country artists.
Sammy Kershaw, Collin Raye and Aaron Tippin will take the stage Aug. 1 at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available at WoodCounty-Fair.com under the Fair Events tab or 419-352-0441.
A limited number of VIP tickets, which give access to stage front viewing with no seating, are $65. Track tickets, which are standing room only, are $50 while grandstand tickets are $35. Guests are required to purchase a gate ticket for entry into the fairgrounds.
Sammy Kershaw has amassed three platinum and six gold albums that have scanned and streamed in excess of 5 million records and nearly 100 million combined songs sold.
Often referred to as the “heir apparent” to legendary George Jones, the Grammy-nominated performer helped shape and make the ‘90s a shining decade for country music.
His multi-platinum albums were propelled into the record books by hits such as “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful,” “Queen of My Doublewide Trailer,” “I Can’t Reach Her Anymore,” “National Working Woman’s Holiday,” “Love of My Life,” “Cadillac Style,” “Don’t Go Near the Water,” “Haunted Heart,” and “Vidalia.”
From the time that he released his debut single for Mercury Records, “Cadillac Style,” critics and fans all made the comparison to Jones. Rather than run from them, Kershaw embraced them.
In 1993, Kershaw topped the singles chart with “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful,” which has become one of the most-played records at country radio over the past three decades. Albums such as “Don’t Go Near the Water” and “Haunted Heart” were both certified as million-sellers by the RIAA, and only continued to add to his stature. The hits kept coming on the airwaves, as well. He added to his resume such classics as “I Can’t Reach Her Anymore,” “Meant to Be,” his cover of The Amazing Rhythm Aces’ “Third Rate Romance,” and 1998’s “Love of My Life,” which cemented his reputation as a balladeer.
Collin Raye was one of the true hit makers of the 1990s and still continues to crank out soulful, heartfelt material with the honesty and richness that is signature to his vocals alone. He has 24 top 10 records, 16 #1 hits, and has been a 10-time male vocalist of the year nominee (five CMA and five ACM).
Collin Raye
He has set country standards in such searing ballads as “Love, Me,” “In This Life,” “Not That Different” and “If I Were You.” Always an energizing performer, he has also blazed through such vivid rockers as “My Kind of Girl,” “That’s My Story,” “I Can Still Feel You” and “I Want You Bad.”
Collin shot to fame with “Love, Me” in 1991. When “Little Rock,” an anthem for those struggling with addition recovery, hit the chart in 1994, its video led to over 100,000 phone calls to Alcoholics Anonymous from folks seeking help in their addictions.
“I Think About You” won awards for its song and video which exposed the exploitation of women and children.
In 2011, Collin released his first inspirational album, “His Love Remains,” which quickly shot to #1 on Amazon for inspirational and religious music.
His autobiography, “That’s My Story: The Undefeated Life of Collin Raye,” was released in 2014.
Aaron Tippin admits that he looks at his 36-year career with a little bit of amazement.
Aaron Tippin
“I am the luckiest hillbilly that ever lived,” he said in his online biography.
Tippen recalled that walking into the RCA office to meet with label head Joe Galante definitely had a magical vibe, as well it should.
“The label was on fire. Clint Black was on top of the charts, along with the Judds and Keith Whitley. What a great team to fall into there.”
He also couldn’t believe that his first single, “You’ve Got to Stand for Something,” hit the Billboard Country Singles chart – eventually peaking at # 6.
His hit “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You” showcased a more dramatic side to his vocal approach, something that continued into his next label affiliation – as the flagship artist for Lyric Street Records.
As the new millennium dawned, Tippin returned to the top of the charts with “Where the Stars and Stripes and Eagle Fly,” a song that became part of the American soundtrack during the aftermath of 9/11.