WAVERLY -- Country music star Jason Michael Carroll is used to playing packed arenas and amphitheaters, but every summer he adds a smattering of county fair stops to his tour.

"We get a chance to play in front of a totally different group of people, people that might not otherwise go to a concert," said the musician, known for the hits "Alyssa Lies," and "Livin' on a Love Song." "We get to play for a lot of people who might not have seen us before."

On Tuesday, Carroll will reach new fans at the Bremer County Fair in Waverly. His performance marks the first time in more than 30 years that the gathering has hosted a national entertainment act. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $22 the day of the show.

"It's a nice addition to what we already provide," said Dave Wescott, the fair's general manager. "We have a lot of people who are really looking forward to the concert. If this goes well, we'd like to continue bringing in a big name on a yearly basis."

Carroll, 30, released his first album, "Waitin' in the Country," in February 2007. That same year he was named Billboard Magazine's Top New Country Artist. The music video for Carroll's latest Top 20 hit, "I Can Sleep When I'm Dead," is playing in steady rotation on Country Music Television.

Bremer County Fair officials have been looking to bring in a big-time country act since a survey five years ago showed that the majority of fairgoers wanted a live concert with a nationally known star.

Bucky Doren, K98.5 morning show co-host and station manager, helped event organizers book Carroll for this year's fair.

"I had seen Jason Michael Carroll up in Mason City a while ago and thought he did an excellent job and the crowd had a great time at the show," Doren said. "We thought it was a perfect match dollars- and cents-wise, and thought it would be a good show to add to their line-up."

Carroll, who will release his sophomore album in early 2009, said fans can expect to hear both old and new songs at the concert.

"What's great about these fairs is that a lot of times the crowd really gets into it," Carroll said in slow Tennessee drawl.

"When the crowd starts getting into it and singing back, it creates another whole level of energy that you can give back to them.

"The more they give, the more we give," he added. "It's a really cool process."

Contact Mary Stegmeir

at (319) 291-1482 or

mary.stegmeir@wcfcourier.com.