
DATE: Thursday, August 7, 1997              TAG: 9708060185

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: COURTLAND                         LENGTH:   79 lines

CHART-CLIMBING NEWCOMERS TO PLAY COUNTY FAIR

David Kersh is about the 275th country singer who comes from Texas, who began singing in church and who continued gaining experience in clubs.

It almost seems to be a prerequisite - that without such a background, you're in danger of being ignored.

These days, Kersh is hitting the fair circuit. The Humble (that's his Texas home town) young man is happy and grateful, and for good reason.

``I like those (fair) gigs,'' he said. ``I like to be able to perform for my real audience - not a club where you have to be over 21 - not an arena where I'm opening for another artist.''

Kersh was being interviewed before an appearance at a fair in Owensville, Mo., and in connection with his Saturday appearance at the Franklin-Southampton County Fair.

``Also,'' he went on, ``fairs offer an opportunity for new artists to perform before a lot of people.''

Kersh is new enough. He signed with Curb Records in 1995 and his debut album, ``Goodnight Sweetheart,'' did well.

He has become a regular on the charts. Currently, ``Day In, Day Out'' is in the 37th spot and climbing. He's excited about that, but he's more excited about his next album, due for release in mid-March.

``It has better quality songs,'' Kersh said, and he explained why. ``With the first album, it's hard to get A-list songs. But, when you have success, the writers and publishers are more willing to give you the A stuff.''

Kersh's stuff is traditional country, ``with a touch of the `90s,'' he said. ``I'm 26 and try to sing songs that relate to my age group.''

One way he does that is by keeping active on stage.

``I like to move around a lot. I perform a lot of uptempo - have a lot of high energy,'' Kersh said. ``It's important to give people a show - to entertain them visually. People deserve to get their money's worth.''

Making money in the business of country is rugged these days.

``Competition is fierce and you have to deal with getting your records played on the radio,'' Kersh said. ``Big corporations are buying radio stations - that's scary. Playlists are programmed by consultants working for major corporations.

``There won't be any program directors,'' he said. ``Playlists are used by many radio stations. If the group handling those lists doesn't take to an artist, he'll have a heck of a time getting played.''

So far, the powers-that-be, the public and the playlist people have taken to Charles David Kersh.

Country hunks abound. James Bonamy is top-of-the-list, aided and abetted by the bluest eyes this side of Paul Newman.

Bonamy's clever novelty, ``The Swing,'' swung onto the charts and is currently settled in at 33, according to Billboard.

He was number one for a while last year with ``I Don't Think I Will.''

Heady stuff. Enough to get him a People mag profile - two pages, yet - plus spots on ``Entertainment Tonight'' and ``Live With Regis & Kathie Lee.''

Add to that a Country Music Association vote in `96 as Top New Male Artist.

A novelty song helped with that honor - a gem about Bonamy's ``Dog on a Tool Box.''

The Winter Park, Fla., entertainer is a family guy. His wife, Amy Jane, is his backup singer.

Bonamy is unsure about his popularity - is it his singing, or his looks? He is strikingly handsome with a well-muscled body, has wavy brown hair and a dark complexion.

The female response is to yell.

``I don't know if they're responding to me or to the music,'' Bonamy told The Tennessean. ``I sing about love and commitment - that stuff is real sexy to a lot of people.''

Yes, `tis. ILLUSTRATION: David Kersh will perform twice Saturday evening at the

fair.

James Bonamy will perform twice on Friday evening.

ABOUT THE EVENT

WHAT: David Kersh

WHEN: 7 and 9 p.m., Saturday

WHAT: James Bonamy

WHEN: 7 and 9 p.m., Friday

WHERE: Both will perform at the Franklin-Southampton County Fair