ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The Five State Fair is rapidly approaching, and the fair festivities will include multiple concerts, including from “The Voice” contestant Savanna Chestnut.
As Chestnut tells it, music has always been a major part of her life.
“I grew up in the small town of Americus, which is near Emporia, and I have been singing pretty much forever,” Chestnut said. “I started getting interested in it when I was singing karaoke at my grandparents' bar in elementary school, and then my mom got me a guitar when I was 13. I took lessons and then started playing at farmers markets around the Emporia area and coffee shops and those kinds of places, and then I moved to Nashville when I was 19 and stayed out there for a few years, so I've been chasing this music thing for a while. I just always knew music was what I wanted to do. Even at the elementary school career day when we were asked what we wanted to do when we grew up, I had said I wanted to be a singer, and that never changed. It was just what I was meant to do. Then I competed on 'The Voice' on Team Blake in 2021, and I was on there for a little bit, and it was a great experience being able to compete there. I never thought I'd ever be on TV, but life's funny that way, and to an extent, I still can't believe that happened.”
Her overall love of music is what has kept her going, Chestnut said.
“The music industry is definitely tough – everyone knows any part of the entertainment industry is hard to break into, and music is no exception,” Chestnut said. “But I think my overall love of music is a big part of what's kept me going in this business, because I love writing songs and performing for people. I do it for the audiences I perform for and myself to an extent because I just love music so much.”
Chestnut said she was very excited when the Five State Fair Board contacted her about performing at this year’s fair. Chestnut will be performing starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7.
“It was around May, I believe, when they got in touch with me, and I typically book shows out a few months in advance anyway. It sounds really fun and sounds like there's been a lot of planning and thought behind everything that'll be going on, so it should be a great show,” Chestnut said. “I was really excited when they got in touch with me, I play a bunch of shows every summer, and it's always a lot more fun to play at fairs than at bars and those places, so I think the Five State Fair should be a good time for me. It's always great to perform at fairs and meet everyone who comes out, the locals are always so much fun to meet, no matter where you are. And since it's the summer, it's a great chance to perform outside, and there are always a bunch of cute little ones running around and playing. Overall, I think it should be a good time.”
Chestnut added she hopes to see big turnout to her concert that evening.
“We do a mix of classic country and original songs, and I've got stories behind some of my songs, and it's always great sharing those with the audience,” Chestnut said. “There's nothing better than going out and enjoying some live music and hanging out with friends and other people in your community. I always work to make each show as personal an experience as possible so the audience feels like they're getting to know me a bit while I'm sharing my music with them.”
And she will remain busy before and after the fair, Chestnut said.
“That same week, we'll be visiting Stockton, and then we'll also be going to Great Bend, and there's a few other places we'll be traveling to throughout the rest of the summer,” Chestnut said. “I'm excited to be visiting all of these fun fair shows, I'll be releasing some new music in the next couple weeks I'll be promoting, which should be great for the audiences. We're doing some writing and brainstorming for some fun ideas. I have a new song coming out Aug. 2 that's a fun rodeo song I put together, and then this fall, my new song 'Dance With Me' will be coming out, and I'm excited to share that when the time comes. I'm really excited to share this project with everyone, I've been working on it for a long time and I'm always working on something new that still remains true to my sound. I really think some of these new songs are some of the best ones I've written, so I can't wait for everyone to hear them.”
Overall, Chestnut said, she is excited to make her way to Liberal.
“I'm really excited to be making my way to Liberal, I hope everyone there is ready for a good show and lots of fun,” Chestnut said. “If you're looking for some good music and overall fun, my show will be the place to be.”
