Katie Armiger at the Amador County Fair Sunday, July 30

Katie Armiger to perform at the Amador County Fair

Confident, secure, bold, assertive, vulnerable and in-your-face could all describe both the songs on the new album, Confessions of a Nice Girl, as well as the artist who sings them. Katie Armiger, who released her first album when she was just 15 years old, has amassed a collection of songs on her third album that touches upon just about every emotion imaginable – love, infatuation, anger, sadness, hurt, happiness – and she is unabashedly unapologetic in showcasing her feelings, whatever form they may encompass.

The 19-year-old singer-songwriter has accomplished more during her four years as a recording artist than most people twice her age. Her previous single, “Kiss Me Now,” the flirtatious ode to new love she co-wrote with Sarah Buxton and Blair Daly, was her second to hit the Top 40 on the Billboard Indicator Chart, while “Trail of Lies” landed in the Top 20 on Music Row, setting a record as the Highest Charting Independent Female Artist in 2009. Katie also earned the title of the Highest Charting Independent Female Artist of 2008 on R&R with “Unseen,” and the young lady with the enviable voice set yet another record for the highest debut for a solo independent artist since 2003 on the Music Row chart with her debut single, “17 in Abilene,” in 2007.

The dream of making it on Music Row seemed fated for the Texas native with the soaring voice and radiant personality, reminiscent of Martina McBride, Shania Twain and Sara Evans. At the ripe old age of 10, Katie discovered a talent for arranging her thoughts and feelings into writing songs and poetry. Honing her craft, Katie also realized she could put those songs and poems to music and perform them with understated conviction. When she was 14, she entered Houston’s Best Country Singer competition sponsored by Radio 93Q Country, and after eight weeks, she took home the grand prize and a shot at recording a two-song demo, which developed into her self-titled debut album.

Crabbing! Pulling! Bucking! and Crashing at the Amador County Fair

Discount and Events tickets are available on line at Amador County Fair.

Where else, but the Amador County Fair can you meet a Captain of the Bering Sea, a wheelwright who traveled the United States by covered wagon, or a trendy young band from LA with a name like “Arrest My Sister”? You can taste fine award-winning wines with the Amador Winegrowers on Friday night, or hoist a microbrew at the Brew Tastings on the weekend.

The bands coming in for the Fair provide a broad spectrum as well. Young country western talent from neighboring El Dorado County, Whiskey Dawn, is making waves as they look for their big break, and will kick off the Picnic Hill Concert Series on Thursday night, while Nashville Billboard Country recording artist, Katie Armiger, takes the stage on Sunday night to wrap things up with her hits “Kiss Me Now” and “The Best Song Ever”.

As usual there are hours of fun things for kids to do that don’t cost parents a nickel, including free admission on Thursday until 6:00 pm. The shows at the Puppets & Players Theatre will keep them mesmerized, all kinds of fun activities await in the 49er Kids Town, and they can learn about Amador County’s Miwok culture under the willow-branch-covered round lodge, where they can make and take home a craft project. At the Gold Mine they can pan for gold, though they probably won’t end up rich!

There’s a charge for entertainment in the Grandstands Friday through Sunday, but that won’t stop capacity crowds at the Truck Pulls on Friday night, the Rodeo on Saturday and the packed Destruction Derby on Sunday. Buying your reserved seat in advance is a good idea. Thursday night the arena will host the Mutton Bustin’ preliminary round with the finalists going on to compete during the rodeo. There’s no charge on Thursday night.

Probably the most unexpected star to drop into the Amador County Fair is one of the Captains of the Bering Sea crabber vessel the Wizard. The blockbuster TV show “Deadliest Catch” seen on Discovery Channel has made a celebrity of Relief Captain and First Mate Monty Colburn and his brother Captain Keith Colburn. The two are descendants of Harold Colburn, one of the founders of the Amador County Fair, and son of Gary Colburn, well-known resident of the County. Captain Monty and crew members Lynn Guitard and Lenny Lekanoff will start the day at the Kids Parade on Thursday, enjoy the Fair then tell tales of the sea, answer questions, and sign autographs in the evening.