108th P.C. Fair Concert Series One to Remember

Miles from home, but at home where he was right then, Tanner Laws opened up a night of country music for the 2023 Phillips County Fair-goers.

A bright and beaming young face greeted the audience with his own songs that tell the story of his life and the life of a country boy.

Tanner lives in Thompson Falls and has been active on the road singing at weddings, county fairs, bars, taverns and anyplace that wants to hear his music. The young man said, "I love it up here in Dodson, I hope to be back again, maybe even next year. I just love the people here! They're great!"

Tanner was a guest of Jake and Ashley Stuart on Thursday night when he got into Malta. The household had a brainstorm party and came up with a new take on a song, changing some wording around and incorporated Whitewater and Malta into the song. The audience picked up on it and backed him up with their applause.

Following the set, he stepped aside to the merchandise table and signed t-shirts, hats, caps and whatever the fans wanted signed. One little cowboy, about six years old, had nothing in hand to get signed, so he stuck out his foot and asked if Tanner could sign his boot.

"You bet!," and did so with a grin about as big as that which the little lad was wearing.

Following the performance by Laws, Sam Barber brought more life to the concert as the crowd was filtering in. The one-man band came prepared to connect with his audience and he did just that. The crowd on the concrete slab were keeping their feet dancing and keeping time as the concert enthusiasm grew.

Sam brought a fresh and youthful image to the stage, as he is only 20 years old. He did some songs that other artists have had hits with, however, he performed mostly his own songs.

Following his stage time, he took time for the fans that were loyally awaiting him to clear the stage. His stack of merchandise went down rather rapidly as the young-at-heart that sang along with his songs waited for personalized signing of t-shirts and hats.

The mics went up and the sound level of the crowd went right along, as Frank Ray hit the stage. Playing with a bit more back-up, the five-man band brought the blend of country music with, as Frank calls it...a Hispanic sound.

It was apparent that Frank came to entertain. He was met by not only the younger crowd that spun around on the concrete slab, he had the audience, shall we say...of a higher age bracket, singing the songs along with him.

Frank, a retired police officer from New Mexico turned musician, entertained with zest and an apparent love for music. Country music artists found a warm Montana welcome at the 2023 Phillips County Fair in Dodson on Friday evening.