HURON — South Dakota native Sherwin Linton, will be celebrating his 50th year performing at the South Dakota State Fair.

As one of the longest touring musicians in the upper Midwest, Linton is a living legend and his talent, wit, determination and generosity have made him a favorite of thousands of fans.

Linton made his first South Dakota State Fair appearance in the grandstand in 1973 following the release of his hit record, “Cotton King.”

Subsequent appearances have been on the “Freedom Stage” in 1974, and in 1975 the city of Huron awarded Linton the key to the city.  Sherwin’s 1997 Freedom Stage performance was filmed live.

For the past 25 years Sherwin Linton, his wife Pam and their band “The Cotton Kings” have hosted the entertainment offerings on the “Centennial Stage” where they feature other South Dakota entertainers as guests and opening acts.

Linton launched his career in the music business in the mid 1950s as a disc jockey and live performer of Rockabilly music on radio station KWAT in Watertown.

Now in his eighth decade of recording, Linton has released a new CD set reminiscing in music and stories the songs he recalls his parents singing while driving down South Dakota gravel roads in the 1940s.  This new 43-song acoustic CD set is titled “Sunday Drives With Mom and Dad,” and takes the listener on a musical journey of songs from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Today, Sherwin Linton still tours with his wife Pam and their band “The Cotton Kings.” 

You will find the Linton’s again on the Centennial Stage on “Cotton King Avenue” (named for Linton’s hit record) during the 2023 South Dakota State Fair.

Their one-hour performances will include traditional country music and rock & roll classics laced with stories of Sherwin’s tour experiences with the artists that made the hits.

Sherwin’s Johnny Cash tribute is the only tribute show personally endorsed by Johnny Cash when he introduced Sherwin saying, “Nobody sings my songs better than Sherwin Linton.”

They will perform daily during the fair at 11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m.