LITTLE VALLEY — Rising country star Alex Miller will open the Tracy Byrd concert Tuesday at the Cattaraugus County Fair.

As special guest, Miller will entertain the fair audience with his pure, traditional country-style of music. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. In the past, he has also opened for the likes of Hank Williams Jr., Josh Turner, Chris Janson, Justin Moore, Alabama, Chapel Hart, Drake Milligan, Noah Thompson, Dillon Carmichael, Emily Ann Roberts and Neal McCoy.

Miller said he has opened for Byrd at least three times. How they became acquainted is a long story, but according to Miller, it started with an elevator ride in Indianapolis, Ind.

“I was getting on an elevator. The doors opened, and there he stood. I stuck out my hand and said, ‘You’re Tracy Byrd — Nice to meet you.’ He said, ‘You’re Alex Miller — nice to meet you, too,’ and we were instant friends,” Miller told the Press in a recent interview. “I was in shock, but we started talking about old country music, Texas (Byrd’s home state) and Kentucky. He gave me his number and said if I ever needed advice, had questions or anything, to just let him know. He’s been a mentor ever since.”

Some people may remember Miller from his appearances as an “American Idol” contestant during Season 19, which brought him fame and changed his life in 2021.

“It was quite the show and quite the experience. I didn’t win, but I was in the Top 24,” he said. “What happened was, they wanted to do pop music, but I told them I’m a country singer. I guess they weren’t looking for that, but I stuck to my guns and stuck to who I am. I think it worked out pretty good for me.”

Miller considers himself a Country Traditionalist, with his old-time country-style of music, but he tries to play just about everything under the sun.

“It surprises a lot of people, but that’s the idea — to show people what I can do,” he said.

The singer-songwriter has released his debut album, “Miller Time” in 2022, and two EPs, “Country” in 2023 and “My Daddy’s Dad” in 2024. He’s currently working on his fourth record.

“This time around, I’m working on a full record for my fourth,” he said. “I think the title is going to be, ‘More Country Than You.’ That’s the title of a song I cut with a young lady named Emily Ann Roberts, and I think it’s the perfect title.”

His current single, “The Byrd,” features country icon Tracy Byrd, and its companion music video premiered in May on the CMT Music Channel.

The 22-year-old from Lancaster, Ky., did not get his musical talent from his family. He attributes his early interest in country music and his ability to play a number of instruments to his late paternal grandfather.

“My grandpa couldn’t really play music, but he loved music. He took me to guitar lessons, little local shows and jamborees. I just kind of found my way to music because of him and his love of country music,” he said. “I’ve gotta song that’s a tribute to him, called ‘My Daddy’s Dad.’ It’s a great song — probably one of my best ones.”

Miller thinks he started playing about the time he came out of the womb. At age 7, he played at a little local festival in Kentucky.

“I didn’t give up and kept at it,” he said. “Grandpa really changed my life in a huge way. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for my grandpa.”

Influenced by Hank Williams Sr. and Merle Haggard growing up, Miller said he never went to a music school or college. He said his education came from playing with other musicians and watching them. In addition to the guitar, he can also play steel guitar, ukulele, fiddle, harmonica, bass and banjo.

Miller was recently named Brand Ambassador for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA) Kentucky Proud program. He will soon be representing Kentucky-grown and -produced agricultural products.

Being a Kentuckian and a former FFA member, he earned his American FFA Degree a couple of years ago, which is the highest level of membership that an FFA member can achieve.

“I kind of got out of the agriculture scene and wanted to find a way back in. It’s a natural pairing because I grew up on a farm and I love agriculture,” he said. “It’s a great honor to represent my home state around the world and tell people to come visit Kentucky.”

Miller moved to Nashville last May and made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in June 2024. He said he misses Kentucky a lot and misses being home, but he’s where he needs to be right now.

For more details about Miller and his country music career, visit his website, alexmillercountry.com.