Clay Walker to perform at Fair in June

Photo courtesy of Susan Blond Inc.

Clay Walker

Clay Walker's many northern California fans won't be feeling lonely much longer as the Country star prepares to headline the 2010 edition of the Shasta District Fair set for June 16-20 in Anderson.

The 40-year-old Beaumont, Texas, native is a multi-platinum recording artist with 11 singles that have risen to the Number 1 slot on Billboard charts. He has sold more than 11 million albums with four certified as platinum and two as gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Seventeen years ago, Walker made his debut in 1993 with the single "What's It To You," which reached Number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts, as did his second effort in 1994, "Live Until I Die."

Walker and his band will perform live on the grandstand stage Friday night, June 18, during the annual fair's five-day run. Ticket prices and availability have not yet been determined, said Chris Workman, chief executive officer of the 27th Agricultural District that operates the fairgrounds and fair.

Workman said a contract with the Country artist was signed late Wednesday, Dec. 9.

By the time Walker takes to the stage shortly after 8 p.m. in Anderson, local fans will have had plenty of time to soak up the sounds of his newest, still untitled, album, his ninth studio effort and the second on Curb Records, that is scheduled for release in 2010.

The first single off Walker's new album, titled "She Won't Be Lonely Long," was released Monday, Dec. 7. The song is about a woman who walks into a club with the decisive purpose of finding at least a temporary replacement for the fool who let her go.

It is a song that Walker has seen happen time and again while performing in the honkytonks and bars while growing up in east Texas along the Louisiana state line.

Written by Galen Griffin, Doug Johnson and Phil O'Donnell, Walker said he chose the song to best "reflect the work I've been doing to become the artist I want to be."

"Lyrically, it is a song that resonates with both men and women because we all want to look our best once we are unexpectedly 'back on the (singles) market,'" Walker explained in a press release announcing the song's release.

Born Earnest Clayton Walker, Jr., young Clay lived with his father after his parents divorced. His Dad gave him his first guitar when Clay was just 9.

The youngster received his first jolt of live performing while watching an Alabama concert with his Mother.

"I remember them taking the stage, and the emotion that came over my Mom. I just fell in love with their performance. As entertainers, they influenced my wanting to become an entertainer. I think that's where the energy of my live show comes from," Walker told biographer Wayne Robins for the upcoming album liner notes.