Former American Idol contestant, County Wide to play at NIBROC

Elvie Shane Payton will play at this year’s NIBROC Festival.

American Idol contestant Elvie Shane Payton was announced this week as one of the musical acts to take the main stage at the 2016 NIBROC Festival in downtown Corbin. He will be the opening act for returning festival favorite County Wide on the Friday of the festival.

The main NIBROC Festival is scheduled for Aug. 10-13 this year. Carnival rides will be available starting Aug. 8.

Payton, a Grayson County native who now lives in Monticello, competed on the final season of American Idol in 2015. HeÕd first done an audition for The Voice in Los Angeles, but was not selected.

His luck on American Idol was a little better, however, and he was selected by judges and given a “golden ticket” to go through to the next round of competition.

Payton does shows these days with The Elvie Shane Band and specializes in rock and country.

“I’m here to bring it when I sing it!” Payton says via his Facebook page. “The deeper I get into a life of music the better life gets.”

“He’s got a lot of charisma and plays the type of music that I think is perfect for a festival atmosphere,” said Bruce Carpenter, Executive Director of the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the organization that plans the festival.

“He made an impression on the American Idol judges for a reason. I think people will see why if they come to NIBROC to watch him play.”

The Elvie Shane Band is expected to take the main stage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12. They will be the opening act for country/rock sensation County Wide. The group is touring to support the release of their latest album “Justice in the South.” It contains previously released singles “Keep on Shifting,” “Tastes Like America” and “One More Round.”

The album can be purchased on the iTunes store.

Popular local country/rock quartet County Wide will headline on the main stage Friday, Aug. 12.

“Home grown” in southeastern Kentucky, the band consists of: Anthony Campbell, on bass guitar and vocals; Aaron Bunch, guitar and vocals; Steven Standifer, guitar and vocals; and Travis Clem on drums.

“County Wide has been playing a lot of places and has cultivated a real following around the state,” Carpenter said. “We are glad to have them back. I think people really enjoyed the band last year. They are a very talented group of guys.”

For the first time in several years, the NIBROC Idol talent competition will take place. Audition CDs are currently being accepted by KD Country 99.5 FM. According to Monica Wilkie, a sales representative with the radio station, the top ten from auditions submitted will be selected to perform on the NIBROC Main Stage beginning Thursday night of the festival. Semifinalists will perform Friday night, with finalists performing and winners announced Saturday.

Top contestants will receive cash prizes. For more information, contact KD Country at 606-528-6617.

The NIBROC Festival is the annual community festival for the city of Corbin. It is held along Depot Street and includes live music, a carnival, vendors, a parade, volleyball tournament, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, cornhole tournament, a 2-mile road race and other activities.