Fayette was treated to a free live concert on the courthouse lawn Friday night. Better Man Records hosted the event as part of its grand opening. The recording studio, located on the south side of the downtown square, officially opened for business on Monday.

The independent record label plans to not only record up-and-coming musicians, but provide a pathway through the music business with its Artist Development Program.

Three acts performed during Friday’s concert, two of which are enrolled in the program and expect to start recording soon. Bryan Andrews kicked things off with an acoustic set in his first-ever live performance. Joey Wray followed and the night was capped off by the Preston Ary Band. All three acts performed on the bandstand before a small, yet enthusiastic audience. Temperatures in the 30s kept concert-goers bundled up.

Ary is one of the owners of Better Man Records and has acquired a solid following throughout Mid-Missouri. Fellow owner David Adkisson hosted an open house at the studio across the street. The building also serves as headquarters for Hot Air Productions, his video production company.

Ary and Adkisson hope to present a summer concert series in Fayette which would feature new artists signed to Better Man Records.