As the Unionville Lions Club’s First Annual Bluegrass Festival approaches on Thursday, June 25, Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, local and distant music fans need to make plans to be in Unionville, Mo.

Last year, Desi Hickman performed at the Putnam County Fair, and folks said, “We want that lady back.” She will take the stage in Unionville’s City Park at 7 p.m. on June 27.

From Carl Junction, Mo., Hickman is 18-years-old and is currently attending Kansas State University. She’s been singing since she was 10. She says of her love for music, “It is my passion. Music is what I live for each day. I sing country because deep down I’m just a small-town country girl.”

Hickman has a diverse musical background. At age 12, she performed the National Anthem for the 2002 National YMCA gymnastics meet in Savannah, Ga. Since that time, Hickman has honored country singing by her rendition of the National Anthem at many sporting events such as NAIA basketball games, MIAA basketball games and Springfield Cardinals baseball games. For the past two years, she was the selected performer at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. She also sang at the Missouri FFA Convention and the Annual MFA State Convention, both in Columbia, Mo.

Everything she sings relates to her country roots. She happily says, “My Dad and I write music together, and we have written a total of 11 songs.”

She has just completed her debut CD in Nashville titled “Country Girls Rock.” The CD is charting number 24 on the Country Charts for the Independent News Network.

Indeed, Hickman is quickly establishing herself as a country music singer and songwriter. She says, “My band and I have performed at various events throughout the heartland, and we are looking forward to our Unionville performance this summer.”

And so, music lovers don’t want to miss this talented young country girl on Saturday, June 27. Her passion for many different kinds of music creates a unique sound for your listening pleasure. Hickman will fit right in with our area bluegrass performers.

A free will donation will be asked for just before the large and impressive fireworks light up the skies over Unionville.