07/05/24
Night two of the Wild West Fest (website) went off without a hitch as the city of Hays turned out in droves to soak up the sunshine and savor the sounds of three captivating acts.
The evening kicked off with Nebraska native and singer-songwriter Jake Dunworth, whose musical journey began at the age of 18 when he decided to focus on writing his own original songs. Jake’s heartfelt performance highlighted his range as he strummed along to some recognizable hits such as U2’s “One” and Tyler Childers’ “Follow You to Virgie.” The highlight of his set was a beautiful duet with Lisa Bordener on “Stay,” one of Jake’s own originals, which resonated deeply with the audience and elicited a loud cheer.
Savanna Chestnut, a seasoned performer from Americus, Kansas, and renowned in the midwestern country scene, was next to grace the stage. The audience was in safe hands as Savannah and her band provided a blend of classic country hits and her own original songs. Savanna opened the set by breathing new life into Nancy Sinatra’s beloved “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’.” The guitarist infused the song with classic country flavor while Savanna showcased her artistry by enhancing her vocals with an echo effect, creating a dynamic and memorable rendition of the song. Savannah appeared completely at home on stage as she joked with the crowd about the obscurity of her hometown and was pleasantly surprised when members of the audience were familiar with Americus, Kansas. “That’s the most people of any one show I’ve ever been to that know where my hometown is. This is awesome.”
It’s always enjoyable when artists offer little nuggets of insight into who they are and what drives them to write and perform. Before performing her original song “Like a Desperado,” Savanna gave the audience a glimpse into her inspirations behind the song. “A few years ago I ended up back home and as much as I love home, I was feeling a little bit stuck and I wasn’t ready to settle down just yet.”. “Pushing up Daisies,” another one of Savanna’s originals and my favorite of the night, uses classic Kansas imagery to paint vivid pictures of Savannah’s emotions. “I’m a black tornado blowin’ through towns one by one, here I come, here I come. I’m a wildfire in the wind catching fast, moving in I roll on, I roll on.”
Savanna delighted the audience with her performance, offering unique takes on well-known hits such as Dwight Yoakam’s “A Thousand Miles from Nowhere,” Shania Twain’s “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under,” and Waylon Jennings’ “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys”, among others.
Finally, Hays welcomed the highly anticipated Sawyer Brown. Rising to fame in the 1980s and 1990s after winning the 1983 Star Search talent competition, continuing to impress over the next 40 years with a string of chart-topping hits. Mark Miller’s performance was brimming with energy as he utilized every inch of the stage to deliver some of their most beloved hits like “Some Girls Do,” “The Walk,” “Drive Me Wild,” and “Smokin’ in the Rockies” – the song they played on Star Search back in 1983.
Looking around at the crowd, nearly everyone sang along word for word, and it was clear Sawyer Brown’s music holds a special place in many people’s hearts. Before launching into “Cafe on the Corner,” Mark Miller shouted out, “This is for the Kansas farmers!” – a gesture that resonated with the audience, especially with lyrics like “they say crime don’t pay, but neither does farmin’ these days.” The band sang “Under This Ole Hat” from their new album Desperado Troubadours, produced by Blake Shelton, before diving into a montage of music from the last 40 years, backed up by an awesome performance of “Mission Temple Fireworks Stand.”
It’s nights like these that really highlight the importance of events like the Wild West Fest. It’s a rare opportunity for the community of Hays to gather in such large numbers and enjoy top-notch outdoor entertainment. Whether you were seated close to the stage or watching on large LCD screens, Night 2 was another picturesque summer evening under the prairie sky. Families and friends came together, singing along, savoring cold beverages and quality food, and making cherished memories.
