Country singer Craig Morgan performs at SEMO District Fair

Some country music fans came to see singer Craig Morgan perform Friday at the SEMO District Fair simply because they enjoy his music. Others were drawn to the concert for an additional reason.

"He's really hot, really good-looking, and I love his music videos," said Michaela Bagby, 14, of Cape Girardeau. "I would think he would perform at St. Louis rather than the SEMO District Fair."

Morgan's blue bus pulled into Cape Girardeau at 4:30 p.m. Friday instead of 11:30 a.m. because of a flat tire. Musicians still found time to set up and tune.

About two weeks ago, global farm-equipment-maker Case IH announced it would help sponsor a cross-country tour that celebrates the American farmer, following Morgan's hit song "International Harvester."An IH spokesman said Morgan stands for a lot of the company's values, like pride in the country's heritage.

George Kester, 11, who attends Central Middle School, likes the part in "International Harvester" where Morgan "yells it real loud. It grabs me, makes me happy."

The 43-year-old Morgan joined the Army in the mid-1980s, where music contests whetted his appetite for a new career. He was part of 1990 combat operations, including a parachute jump, to overthrow Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega.

He grew up in Nashville where his father was a musician for the Ralph Emery radio show. He has made nearly 200 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. He has entertained troops in Iraq and won the USO Merit Award, a distinction shared by the late Bob Hope.

His military discipline still prompts him to get up early for exercises, appreciate life and not tolerate whining and complaining.

Thursday he will perform at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he trained, to thank those who assembled 10,000 USO care packages. The show will be taped by country music channel GAC-TV.

A new album, "That's Why," is due in stores Oct. 21. The lead single, "Love Remembers," is now No. 22 and moving up the charts.