NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — North Platte firefighter Jeremy Condon stepped back into the spotlight for the first time in nearly two decades — and walked away with top honors at the Nebraska State Fair’s Galaxy of the Stars competition.
Condon swept the event, earning the Novas Award, Shining Star Award, Superstar Award, and the Overall Vocal Performance title. That top prize includes a Nashville recording contract valued at $4,500 and a $250 cash award.
For Condon, the moment was both surreal and emotional. He told the audience that his journey back to music only began this summer after encouragement from his fellow firefighters.
“I really did when I got married, I gave music up,” Condon said. “I stopped touring, I stopped playing the gigs, and I just focused on my family and focused on serving my community. And so when this opportunity came, it was my guys kind of daring me to do it.”
His return to performing started at the You Can Be a Star qualifier at the Lincoln County Fair in July, where he won after taking the stage for the first time in 16 or 17 years.
“That’s the first time I’d ever performed on a stage since I’d gotten married,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve performed since then, and so it’s all just kind of a bit overwhelming.”
Condon also used his time on stage to recognize the talent around him, pointing out the dancers, singers, and musicians who shared the competition. “Holy cow, I wasn’t kidding when I said there’s some talent in this room,” he said. “So much talent, so much talent. Thank you very much. I’m absolutely humbled.”
For Condon, who spends his days protecting and serving his community, the awards represent more than a trophy or contract. They mark a return to a passion that had been put on hold for nearly two decades — and a reminder that it’s never too late to follow a dream.