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Poppe Returns To The State Fair As A Star

John Pemble/IPR
Maddie Poppe from Clarksville is honored during the opening day of the Iowa State Fair. Earlier this year she won the national television music contest American Idol.

Earlier this year Maddie Poppe won this season of American Idol. The national television show features unknown singers from around the country as they perform in front of celebrity pop music judges. Television viewers vote which artists come back and which do not.

Poppe is from Clarksville, an eastern Iowa town with a population of fewer than 2,000 people.  During the opening ceremony for the Iowa State Fair, Poppe performed the national anthem and was honored for her accomplishments on American Idol.

One year ago at this time, things were very different for Poppe. She says she was often playing in farmers’ markets for small crowds.

“There were so many times when I kind of wanted to give up honestly, because I didn’t know if it was gonna work out for me,” says Poppe.  “Little did I know that I was just one yes away from my whole life changing.”

During the opening ceremony, fair officials announced she will be performing during the 2019 Iowa State Fair at the grandstand, the largest stage on the fairgrounds.

Poppe is now on a national tour with other American Idol musicians and is recording a full length album.

John Pemble is a reporter for IPR