DANVILLE – Country music singer and former American Idol finalist Bucky Covington packed the Lick Creek Fairgrounds Friday evening at the 79th Annual Boone County Fair in Danville. “I love coming to West Virginia,” Covington said in an exclusive interview with the Coal Valley News prior his performance. “It’s a beautiful place with very friendly and kind people. I am from a small town in North Carolina, so it feels like home when I come here.” Covington performed his three top ten hit songs, along with other selections from his debut album. Covington said he would release his sophomore album “Good Guys” on Sept. 11, 2012. “The first week sales’ proceeds will go to an organization I’m involved with called ‘Help The Good Guys,” Covington said. “Through the International Association of Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation and Help The Good Guys financial aid is provided to injured firefighters and their families.” Covington has hosted benefit events, visited burn centers and burn camps, and made donations, according to IAFF. A number of other country music stars have assisted, as well. Covington also talked about his new single with Shooter Jennings, called “Drinking Side Of Country.” “The video is already on GAC and CMT and has a Dukes of Hazzard type of theme,” Covington said. Along with Jennings, Covington is joined in the video by his season five American Idol finalist and country music singer Kellie Pickler. “She is like the Daisy Duke character in the video,” Covington said. The video can also be viewed now online at YouTube.com (you have to enter the song title in YouTube’s search bar). On the main stage at the fair, the long-haired North Carolinian with the rocker’s charisma and the country boy charm thrilled old and new fans alike. After the show, Covington said he was on his way to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. With his first album, which included three top 10 country hits, Covington has earned a place in the forefront of a new generation of country singers. He became the best-selling debut artist of the class of 2007, with the best first-week sales and highest Top 200 debut for any male country artist in 15 years. Ray Wheatley & Branded X Band opened for Covington at the fair. American Idol singer and West Virginia native Chase Likens is the featured performer tonight at 9:30 p.m. on the main stage. Saturday’s schedule started with a parade at noon in through the Town of Danville; Snow Tiger Martial Arts club at 2:30 p.m.; a Salsa Contest at 3 p.m.; Kids Day with games and prizes at 4 p.m.; Karaoke Contest signups at 4 p.m. and the contest at 5 p.m.; the Madison Rotary Club auction at 7 p.m.; American Idol singer Chase Likens at 9:30 p.m.; and fireworks at 10:45 p.m. Saturday also features special guest Dwayne Hill with a living history Civil War camp and a working black smith shop. The fair also features a carnival and various types of vendor booths, games for the kids and much more.