ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
September is almost here, which means it is almost time for the annual High Plains Music Fest.
This year’s festival will be Saturday, Sept. 14 at Dirtona Raceway in Hugoton, with the musical guests performing from 6 p.m. to midnight. One of the guests on the lineup for that evening is Bailey Rae, who has been performing for a long time.
“I got started singing when I was about 7 years old, and then I started taking vocal lessons and all of that, and I really started doing gigs when I was about 13 years old,” Rae said. “Then, around 2020, I went on 'The Voice,' which got me a good kickstart since I ended up in the Top 9. That really got me going in my career now, and I needed those fans who supported me while I was on there, and I've been doing this ever since. My mother actually got me started singing. I grew up around the south and was singing with my mother in church, so that's how I got my start. She loved to sing when I was growing up, and still does, so I was really fortunate to have her influence. She also loved country music as much as I did, and so did my dad, so between them two, it was just in my roots.”
It was earlier this year when Rae said she was contacted about performing at this year’s event, and she said she was excited for the opportunity.
“I was about bouncing off the wall when I saw who else would be there, and I was really excited. I live in Oklahoma, so I don't get to do too many Kansas shows, and most of my shows are in either Oklahoma or Texas, so getting the chance to do a music fest up in Kansas should be a great time,” Rae said. “If you like country music, you'll really enjoy my set. I do a lot of traditional country music, which is where my roots run, so if you're a fan, you'll love what we do. There's going to be a lot of other great music throughout the night from The Great Divide, Grady Spencer and the Work, and Maddox Ross, who I've been friends with for a long time, so it's going to be a great lineup for everyone. I truly believe the world needs great music right now, so if you're a fan, come on out!”
Rae said people should have a good time during her set.
“I really hone in on my country roots, and when I get to do a set like what I'm planning, it's going to be pretty country, so I think people will enjoy it. I'll be playing mostly original music, I had a new EP come out not too long ago along with some singles, so people will hear all of that,” Rae said. “We'll also do some Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings covers and songs like that, so we do some old and some new music. I'm really excited to make my way to Hugoton! I've been singing country music since the get-go, and it's always been really important to me to bring my style of country music to some new audiences. When I get to share that with a new set of fans, that's really exciting to me because that means we're all bonding and experiencing the same thing at that moment.”
Rae said events like the High Plains Music Fest are particularly special for her.
“Whenever you get to do festivals like the High Plains Music Fest, there's always the potential for extra fun with the other bands,” Rae said. “It can be tough as a musician to go to concerts as a patron since we work on the weekends, so the fun part of performing at festivals like this is also being able to watch the other artists on the bill. I know all the other guys who will be playing that night, so it'll almost be like friends getting together for a good time. I have a lot of people come up to me after my concerts and say 'I don't know how you get on stage and do this every night, I would NEVER be able to do that myself!' I think it's fun to see how many people have that gift but are so nervous about performing, but when I get onstage, I know it's a gift from God to be able to do what I do and connect with people through music. Everyone who shows up will walk away thinking 'That was definitely some great music!' Music is a big part of so many people's lives, whether or not they want to admit it, and it makes you feel good, so when I perform, I want to help people feel better than they did when they came in.”
Overall, Rae said, that evening should be fun for everyone.
“If you like good country music, the High Plains Music Fest will be for you! The lineup is great, there are absolutely no slouches in that regard, and everyone should end up having a great time,” Rae said. “It's going to be a fun night, and I think everyone who comes out will have a fun time. And anyone who wants to follow me on social media can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and just about everywhere else, and my handle is either @baileyrae or @baileyraemusic, depending on which site you're on.”
