BELTON, Mo. – The City of Belton has made good on it’s promise to paint the town’s water tower, in honor of Tate Stevens Sunday. The hometown guy is the winner of last season’s X-Factor, and the country singer made a special appearance to see the tower for himself.
Matt Martin is a foreman among the group of men contracted to paint the phrase that will honor him.
“I’ve done everything from cowboy in Wyoming, worked aerospace plants in Denver and I never thought I’d be painting water towers,” Martin said.
This job near Interstate 49 and M-58 Highway for D.E.M. Enterprises LLC, is a little bit different than some of the company’s other ones. The company’s owner Hamza Smajlovic, said it’s somewhat high-profile.
“We’re just glad that were part of it and were fortunate enough to be on a project like this,” Smajlovic said.
Smajlovic said the project involves a 55-feet long logo. He said because of its wide width, crews have to get down, and then up again a few times to be able to paint the other letters.
But Martin said it’s not the height they worry about. He said for this project, it’s the wind they have to take into consideration.
“You’re swinging a little bit. It’s not bad. It’s like a carnival ride. We get paid to go to the fair everyday,” Martin said.
The men said six guys, three days of prep, an entire 12-hour day of painting and 250 total man hours later, they’re done!
You can finally read the phrase, “Home of Tate Stevens” and then, “Live the Dream!”
A group of about 30 people gathered on solid ground with special guest, Tate Stevens himself. Stevens said he couldn’t speak to Fox 4 without permission from his label, but his friends can. Randy Elkins said he helped design the logo and gave us a little insight on the saying.
“Originally it was just suppose to be ‘Home of Tate Stevens’ and ‘Live the Dream’ was kind of his thing on the show too, because that’s what he’s doing now, is living the dream,” Elkins said.
An official ribbon cutting ceremony has been scheduled for late April, but Steven’s wife tells Fox 4, they are still working with the city to confirm it because of her husband’s schedule.
