Stars, guitars and southern charm take over the 2025 Calhoun County Fair
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Dust off your boots and get ready to two-step under the stars as country music comes to the Calhoun County Fair. On Thursday, Sept. 4, the fairgrounds will come alive with the twang of guitars, the stomp of boots, and the unforgettable sound of live country music as we welcome Jake Maurer to the stage.
Jake brings a high-energy, crowd-pleasing show that blends modern country vibes with down-home storytelling. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of country or just love a good night out, this is one concert you won’t want to miss.
A product of the heartland, Metamora, Illinois, Jake Maurer has been headlining at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville since 2007. Raised on corn, Garth Brooks, and football, the Metamora High School student-athlete eventually went on to play college football at Eastern Illinois University where he earned a teaching degree and met his wife Katie.
Inspired by other artists such as Pat Green, Jake played some of his favorite “Red Dirt” Texas country songs sitting around the campfire in college. These staples, still some of his friends’ favorites, eventually inspired him to pick up a pen and start putting some thoughts to music.
After college, Jake and a fellow teacher/coach discovered their common interest in playing guitar. Jake and “Sledger” mixed their love of country and rock and started playing in their living rooms, at open mic nights, and then picked up some band members to create “Irons in the Fire.”
After two years of Illinois dive bars and honky-tonks, Jake realized he enjoyed his night job far more than his day one, although he still loved helping kids.
Jake and Katie walked into the principal’s office and let him know they were leaving for Nashville the moment school ended. The response, “You’re kidding, right?” Well… Days later, Jake landed a gig at Tootsie’s and has been playing there ever since.
A singer-songwriter, husband, and father of five, Jake also plays acoustic guitar and entertains with the best of them. He loves to engage a crowd and make people laugh by saying just about anything that pops into his mind. The more ridiculous, the better. People book Jake or walk into Tootsie’s for a beer, and before they know it, have spent hours with a true entertainer.
Jake expands his tour every year and performs regularly at several festivals including the “Hawgarama” in Regina, Saskatchewan (7th year), the “Black Tie Tail Gate – We Care for Kids” fundraiser in Ontario (3rd year), and the “Summer Roundup” for Intermountain Children’s Home in Kalispell, Montana (3rd year).
According to Jack Hanna of the Outdoor Channel, Jake is “a true cowboy who knows how to entertain.” The band has made it a tradition to pair up with Mr. Hanna on stage at Intermountain’s annual fundraising event.
Opening the evening is rising star Cash Goetten, whose heartfelt lyrics and smooth vocals are making waves. They’ll be kicking off the night at 7:30 p.m., so come early, grab some fair food, and settle in for a night of great music.
During Covid isolation in 2020 Cash had more time than usual to pick up his guitar. In his determination to improve on the guitar his fingers would bleed due to the numerous hours of practice. You could hear him strumming and singing, not always on key but his motivation to perfect his music was passionate. Having many role models of music in his life such as his grandpa and dad, definitely help mold Cash into a confident musician. One evening in Grafton, Illinois, his grandpa’s band (Outlaw Opry) had invited 15 year old Cash to perform on stage as an impromptu act. Cash walked up to the microphone, took the lead singer’s guitar and belted out his first song. Then, again, without hesitation he started singing his second song! Cash was on fire! It was obvious he was comfortable in the spotlight and ready to share his voice and music with others. Oftentimes you will find Cash playing for an audience at a local restaurant, country club, private parties, on a pool deck, Farmer’s Market, or in his high school parking lot before classes begin. Cash loves jamming once a week with his grandpa and various musicians to help raise money for charity in our community. He works a full time job on a horse ranch five days a week. He will be a senior in high school this fall. Cash Goetten is a 17 year old musician with a charismatic passion for delivering classic and Red Dirt Country. He sings from the soul and is always ready to give his listeners a show
Gates open at the fair ground at 5 p.m. with Goetten opening for Maurer at 7:30 p.m.
