HURON — Excitement can be found throughout the South Dakota State Fair each year, particularly for one Huron performer this year.
Nate Lyon, 16, has been chosen to open the stage for Sherwin Linton, at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at the AARP Centennial Stage.
“I did a Tom Petty song for the Pops Concert in high school and Sherwin Linton was looking for youth to open for him, so we sent him the video of my performance, which he accepted and said he loved it,” Nate explained.
Sherwin Linton has been seeking out South Dakota talent for months leading up to the fair, while entertainers across the state sent in their videos and CDs, Nate was selected as the only Huron musician to perform.
“Nate is the only one from Huron who is going to be opening up for Sherwin Linton at the fair this year,” his father Mike Lyon said. “Nate just turned 16, he’s very excited and we are proud parents that he will be able to showcase his talents.”
“I’m very proud of Nate’s talent, creativity and determination to succeed at whatever he does. He brings joy to the lives of his family and all who know him,” mother Michelle Lyon added.
Sherwin and Pam Linton and the Cotton Kings are set to give the fairgoers lots of musical fun with a variety of performances, as they run three sets each day of the fair, totaling 15 shows.
Nate will bring his singing skills, accompanied by his primary instrument, his guitar to the stage. Music has always been a passion for Nate, as he grew up in a musical environment. He explained it has been a love of his since he was a child.
“I’ve always been around music, my parents love a lot of different music, plus my brothers played in bands and still do,” Nate explained. “From the age of 5 or 6 I started playing piano, and as I got a little older I started to take an interest in the guitar. I’ve taken lessons from different people, which I started around the age of 11. Since then I play a lot by ear and have been self taught from that point.”
An ambitious individual, Nate is involved in the high school choir, drama and debate, while him and his friends started a band approximately a year ago, in which they are still active. Nate also enjoys photography as a hobby, and enjoyed that with his father, after Mike’s long-time experience of being a professional photographer.
“It’s cool what Nate has going on Saturday during the fair,” said Mike. “We have a photography show together, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arts and Education Building, so Nate will need to slip away during the afternoon for his performance.”
“We’re having a showcase of pictures that I have taken, along with pictures my dad’s taken,” Nate noted. “Dad has done professional photography since he was about 18. I love it and enjoy doing that with him as a hobby,” Nate explained. “I really want to thank Sherwin for giving me this opportunity. It means a lot to me and I look forward to hearing the other performers also.”
Courtesy photo Huron 16-year-old performer Nate Lyons was chosen to be an opening act for the Sherwin Linton Show, Saturday afternoon at the S.D. State Fair.
