HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair has always been special to Sterling native Nicolle Galyon. But this year’s fair is going to be special for two reasons. Galyon will not only perform during the fair Friday night, but one of her songs is a current hit for country music star Billy Currington, who is in concert Saturday, Sept. 7.

Galyon says the fair is always special for her and her family, especially now that her mother works for the fair.

“I grew up going to the Kansas State Fair every year, and I played in the marching band when I was in high school,” she said. “My mom works for the fair, and it’s been really fun to kind of see behind the scenes all of the facets of the fair.”

Galyon says although she is performing Friday, she will be — as she calls it — “a total fan” during the concert Saturday. She talked about how special it is to be connected to the Currington concert.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to get a song on a Billy Currington record,” Galyon said. “Now to have that single on the radio, especially while he’s coming to play the fair, feels very full circle.”

Galyon says it is always neat to hear her songs on the radio, but especially when she’s back home in Sterling.

“I’ve been really blessed to hear a lot of my songs on the radio and watching it go up the charts, but nothing feels as full circle as when we spend summers back home in Kansas. I don’t think the highs of my career really paid off like they did when I’d be at the Sterling swimming pool and hear one of my songs come over the speakers or hear it at a local radio station in Kansas,” she said. “It really gives me a lot of meaning to the journey I’ve been on as a songwriter, so coming back to the fair and getting to see some of the songs I’ve written being performed at the fair where I grew up going to concerts brings a lot of meaning to the night for me.”

It’s also going to be a special first night of the fair for her mother, LaMonna, who works for the fair.

“It’ll be emotional Friday night watching her on stage,” she said. “Her kids will be there that night so that will be super special.”

LaMonna says the one thing that is special about Nicolle is her continued close connection to her roots.

“It’s part of her soul. Kansas is just near and dear,” Galyon said. “You have to be proactive, stay connected and that’s something she incorporates into her life always.”

Nicolle has also added another venture to her already-successful career.

“I just started a record label here in Nashville, so I’m a songwriter first, but I’m also a label head and president and have started the first female-focused record label.”

Incidentally, her first signing to the label is Madison Kozak, who will be performing at the fair Thursday, Sept. 12.