Local stars from 'The Voice,' 'American Idol' shining bright at Alabama National Fair

Montgomery’s home-grown stars from two of the biggest TV music competitions ever are aligning this weekend for the Alabama National Fair.

On Saturday, 16-year-old Ryley Tate Wilson of NBC’s “The Voice” will perform with his band on the fair’s outdoor stage at 7 p.m. He was 15 when he made it to the top 8 earlier this year on season 23. Up first at 6 p.m. will be another Montgomery resident from that season, Auburn Montgomery dental student Jerome Godwin III.

"Gonna be a time. Can't wait," Godwin wrote to fans on social media. Godwin, a rising gospel and R&B artist, made it to the "Knockouts" round on "The Voice."

Godwin will be performing with a live band and three background singers. He’s doing some of his favorite songs, including one of his originals “My Everything.”

“I’m super excited to perform for everyone,” Godwin said. “This will be my first concert set in Montgomery. My band and singer have put in a lot of time to ensure everyone who comes out will have a great experience.”

Sunday, the fair switches to ABC’s “American Idol,” with the finals of a local “Idol” competition and a performance by season 20 finalist Lady K — who is also a judge for the “Idol” competition. Twelve finalists will sing “Time of Your Life” with Lady K that night.

“The fair has been amazing,” Lady K said. “All of the talent has been outstanding. We’ve had a lot of people from right in the River Region, which I love to see — Prattville, Slapout, Wetumpka, Montgomery. So many age ranges. Voices coming out of bodies that you don’t think can hold the voice. You’ve got people up there who look like they’re on my level or better, performing like full superstars.”

Saturday's admission to the fair is $7, when you bring pet supplies for area humane shelters. Admission on Sunday, the last day of the fair, is $15. See the full schedule and even purchase tickets online at alnationalfair.org.

Ryley Tate: He’s ready to perform

Ryley Tate said he’s been fine tuning his music for several weeks before taking it to local stages. Just before the fair, he performed a free show Thursday at Montgomery Whitewater.

Ryley Tate comes into shows like these with a built-in fan base. Ryley Tate is the son of Capt. Robert T. Wilson of Montgomery Fire Rescue, and homeschool teacher mom Kelley Wilson, and has four siblings.

“They’re all coming,” Ryley Tate said. “My family, for the most part, turns out to all of my shows.”

The family has a lot to celebrate. Ryley Tate said he’s just signed a deal with Capitol Records.

“My next release is going to be through them,” he said. “I’m super excited about it. It’s my favorite song that I’ve ever written. It’s going to be definitely one you don’t want to miss.”

On top of that, Ryley Tate said he’s got a “large Niall related announcement” coming up that he can’t elaborate on yet. Ryley Tate, who turned all four celebrity coach chairs during his blind audition for “The Voice,” was on Niall Horan’s team.

“That’s going to be huge," Ryley Tate said.

Lady K: Having a great time at the fair

Beyond going on rides and eating amazing fair food, Lady K said her biggest thrill at the fair is helping judge the fair’s “American Idol” competition. She said the judges have been going out of their way to offer feedback and insight to the competitors.

“I made sure that I gave every single contestant commentary that they can implement in their skills to keep them going, improve them, make them better,” Lady K said. “I didn’t want them to feel like, ‘Oh, I’ve just sung and I’m left with nothing.’ I made sure everybody was able to walk away with something useful.”

The competition has one more round of auditions Saturday at 1 p.m. at the fair’s outdoor stage.

Ryley Tate: Still solo, but has a band

Ryley Tate has his own band, all local musicians, backing him up for his live shows.

“All of them are just really incredible musicians,” Ryley Tate said. “I’m so lucky to know all of them. I’m super stoked for them to be my supporting band throughout this next string of shows locally.”

The group includes Grey Johnson on guitar, Kai Lavender on keyboard, Noah Henninger on bass, and Trey Bostick on drums. They’ll be with him Saturday at the fair.

“I’ve gotten really close with everybody in my band,” Ryley Tate said. “We’ve been hanging out a lot, writing together and making music.”

Lady K: This year’s fair is a full-circle moment

On Sunday, Lady K said she’s planning to put on an amazing show at the fair.

“I’m going to enjoy the color and the light that all those different voices are going to bring to ‘Time of Your Life,’” she said, calling it a full-circle moment.

When Lady K was in the fourth grade, she sang at the Alabama National Fair during Montgomery Idol.

“I came in third place,” she said.

Lady K hopes all the contestants this year at the fair enjoy their time singing, and that they keep growing.

“I hope this experience influences the contestants the same way it did me,” she said. “Being on that stage in the fourth grade helped me push, and then I ended up on that stage as a top 10 finalist one day.”

Ryley Tate: Beyond the music

“Home life is really great,” said Ryley Tate. “I’m in a good spot right now.

That’s even with having to focus on school work, said Ryley Tate, who is home schooled.

“I'm making sure I’m on top of that, balancing that and music,” he said.

Getting a driver’s license is on he horizon. He has a permit so far.

“I’m trying to get a little more driving practice in before I get my driver’s license,” he said. “That is my next goal, to actually get my license. It’s been a long road to get here, but it’s been fun. I’m excited.”

He’s also been spending time watching the current season of “The Voice,” and said he’s become a superfan of the show.

“I’m a huge fan of all the people on there,” Ryley Tate said.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Stars from 'The Voice,' 'American Idol' shine at Alabama National Fair