Photo by Graham Cullen Billy Ray Cyrus performs for an enthusiastic crowd at The Great Frederick Fair on Saturday night.

Opening just after nightfall with "Burn Down the Trailer Park," Cyrus was greeted by a happy but relaxed crowd. Noticeably absent was the famous mullet, which a fan in the audience took note of, yelling that he wanted Cyrus' longer haircut back.

Cyrus answered warmly that he, too, misses his mullet.

"This is the first time I've felt cool air on my neck since 1964," the singer joked.

The fall air was crisp, and the sky was a clear, striking sapphire blue as the concert played into the night against the backdrop of tree-covered mountains and the lights, sounds and smells of the fair.

Cyrus made several references to his famous daughter, saying that he was "real proud of her" as she "works her way through the business" and sang a song which he said was to for "all the daddies out there." During the song -- "Get Ready, Get Set, Don't Go" -- he asked the audience to sing Miley's part.

The crowd -- which looked to be made up of primarily of middle-aged fans and some exuberant younger adults and teens -- seemed to increase its excitement when Cyrus started playing the classic tune "Brown Eyed Girl." Many rose to their feet, clapping and singing along.

Dressed in jeans, cowboy boots and a blue flannel shirt which he covered with a black sweatshirt, Cyrus proved a down-to-earth performer.

Some fans who got to meet him said the kindness he showed onstage was also present offstage.

Frederick resident Sandy Mastrino said the singer was "so nice" after meeting him before the concert.

There with her granddaughter, Krissy Mastrino, and her granddaughter's friend, Addie Smith, to celebrate Krissy's birthday, Mastrino didn't arrive with backstage passes but acquired them unexpectedly from a friend who's on the fair board.

Krissy and Addie were thrilled about that, as was Sandy, calling it an "extra added bonus."

"We just spazzed out," said Krissy, 14, a ninth-grader at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School.

"It was so awesome," both girls aid in unison of meeting the star.

The girls also voiced their approval of Cyrus' new hair.

"I love his new haircut," said Addie, 11, a sixth-grader at Monocacy Middle School.

Sandy, a longtime fan, said the shorter hair made the singer look younger -- younger even than when "Achy Breaky Heart" came out in 1992.

Bill and Barb Clark of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., also commented on the singer's pleasant personality. They had acquired backstage passes through a radio station, and while there asked Cyrus to sign some merchandise to be sold at a benefit to help a man who is in need of a kidney.

And Cyrus was happy to do it, Bill said.

"I'm a big fan of his music," he said, adding that he thinks Cyrus is an "underdog" and that he likes rooting for him for that reason.

Frederick resident Gloria James had never before been to a concert at The Great Frederick Fair until Saturday night.

She said she knew of Cyrus' music and really liked his hit "Achy Breaky Heart." So when she heard he was playing the venue, she thought, "Hey, I'm there."