SMETHPORT — The McKean County Fair has a tradition of bringing everyone from the small towns in the area together.

With McKean County having a country feel, it seemed only fitting to have a country music guest perform the day before the wrap up of the fair.

Morgan Wallen, who was previously a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice,” took to the fair stage at 8 p.m. Friday night.

Wallen was born in Appalachia, and moved to Nashville, Tenn., in 2005.

With his father being a preacher, Wallen was exposed to a world of music at a young age, singing in front of his church congregation at the age of 3.

He has played violin, guitar and piano since a young age, but never thought of it as a career.

Instead, he focussed on baseball, and even had an offer through a major college.

Then, fate intervened, and he felt a pop in his right elbow.

He ended up having to have tendon replacement surgery, thus ending his baseball career.

Instead, Wallen focused on guitar and piano.

His mother signed him up for the “The Voice” and convinced him that he would do well.

Now, he has made a career out of his talent, singing his way into the spotlight.

On whether he ever regrets not being able to go through with his baseball career, Wallen stated, “I feel like it was supposed to happen. Everything happens for a reason, and this happened to get me to where I am now.”

He also mentioned how the time after his injury gave him a lot of feelings to put down on paper for his songs.

He believes this all has been a blessing for him, and that it showed him he could make a career doing what he loves.

“I’ve been to lots of places, and I also find a connection to these small town areas,” said Wallen.

He loves that these places remind him of where he grew up and help bring him back to his roots.

The seats were full of excited individuals who were waiting to watch him perform his songs in an area that makes him feel closer to home.

“I like his songs because they are real,” stated a concert goer. “You can really feel his emotion without having all of the autotune songs you hear today.”

Since his run on “The Voice,” Wallen has come out with his first CD titled “The Way I Talk.”

He stated that his first song, with the same title as the CD, is important to him not only because it was his first single, but also because the words have a lot of meaning to him.

The song brings the listener through how he grew up, as well as the values that he still holds true to his life today.

He said he is working on some new music currently, and he is excited to get it out for everyone to hear.

“This experience had made me realize who I am,” said Wallen. “I feel truly blessed that I get to pursue this dream.”