First there were a dozen people at the Morgan County Fair’s free stage. Then there were about 20. And by the time Matt Hicks was singing and line dancing with audience members, there were about 100 fans who had grabbed a bleacher seat.

Hicks, a Cloverdale native, has only been singing, writing songs and entertaining for the last four or five years. But the public is beginning to notice him — and so are music professionals in places like Nashville, Tenn.

His style is country pop, and he likes to sing songs that were made famous by the likes of Tim McGraw and other crooners in that genre.

Michelle Hicks said her son began doing Karaoke with his grandfather, Randy Parker.

“They started getting a name for themselves,” she said. “Now, Randy is his manager and schedules all of his events. None of us are musical at all.”

Parker went back and forth to the stage to make sure everything was set up correctly for his grandson’s performance.

Michelle’s husband, Ed, controls the sound for Hicks, who has just graduated from Franklin College.

“That’s why he’s singing solo tonight. He just hasn’t had the time to form a band,” Michelle said. He’s performed at the Little Nashville Opry three different times, and he recorded three original songs in Nashville (Tennessee) in 2006.

“I remember that well because he was still in high school. A private jet from Dixie Chopper flew him down and back so he wouldn’t miss Cloverdale’s regional baseball game.”

Hicks has a sister, Heather, and both are engaged to be married next year during the same month — June.

“How dare they do that to us!” Michelle laughed.

She was selling Hicks’ two CDs as his rich voice filled the night air at the Morgan County Fairgrounds in Martinsville.

A friend of Matt’s said he had sung in their church, and none of the people who knew him could believe the voice that came out of this young man. They are hoping he makes it big time, and soon.

To order a CD, call 317-681-4638. Also to book weddings, concerts, etc., call 317-681-4638. Hicks is also currently working as a DJ.

Read more about this artist at www.myspace.com/countrymatthicks#ixzz0vVk0juzH.

Fair activities will continue through Aug. 7 at the Morgan County Fairgrounds in Martinsville.