By The Beachwood Grandstand Affairs Desk
A comparison of acts coming to grandstands, Miller Lite Main Stages, Budweiser Music Pavilions and Leinie Lodges at state fairs near you.
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FAIR: Wisconsin State Fair
MOTTO: The Grand Champion of Summer
DATE: August 2 – 12
LINEUP
Doobie Brothers w/Kansas
Colin Hay (Men at Work)
FM 106.1 Countryfest featuring Gary Allan with Tracy Lawrence & Luke Bryan
10,000 Maniacs
Lupillo Rivera w/Ana Barbara
The Romantics
George Jones with Country gold tour featuring Leroy Van Dyke, T.G. Sheppard & Bobby Bare
Midnight Star
MercyMe with Tree63
Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels
Lonestar w/John Anderson and Jake Owen
Ambrosia
Kool & The Gang w/Ruben Studdard
Young Dubliners
WISCONSIN ROCKS! Featuring the BoDeans with The Gufs
Craig Chaquico (Jefferson Starship)
Switchfoot with Emerson Hart
Shooter Jennings
Bad Boy
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CHEESE FACTOR: 8
BABY BOOM NOSTALGIA FACTOR: 5
CRAPPY COUNTRY FACTOR: 6
LAME ATTEMPT AT HIP CRED FACTOR: 2
UNINTENTIONALLY COOL/IRONY FACTOR: 2
QUOTE FACTOR: “Your musical experience will be enhanced with our newly added video screens at the Miller Lite Main Stage.”
NON-MUSIC FACTOR: “Don’t forget to treat yourself to an Original Cream Puff.”
OVERALL: 5 corn dogs out of 10.
* * *
FAIR: Illinois State Fair
MOTTO: Celebrate and Educate
DATE: August 10 -19
LINEUP
Gretchen Wilson with Blaine Larsen
Corbin Bleu with Drake Bell and Jordan Pruitt
Daughtry
Illinois Symphony
Martina McBride with Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Joe Walsh with Grand Funk Railroad
Sugarland with Joe Nichols
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CHEESE FACTOR: 2
BABY BOOM NOSTALGIA FACTOR: 1
CRAPPY COUNTRY FACTOR: 3
LAME ATTEMPT AT HIP CRED FACTOR: 1
UNINTENTIONALLY COOL/IRONY FACTOR: 0
QUOTE FACTOR: “We were searching for a classic rock act to add variety to this year’s line-up and feel fortunate that a performer of Walsh’s caliber was available. It should be a great show.”
NON-MUSIC FACTOR: “‘BREAKFAST ON A STICK’ COMPETITION TO DEBUT. Prizes to be awarded for best stick-meal creation.”
OVERALL EVALUATION: 1 corn dog out of 10.
* * *
FAIR: Iowa State Fair
MOTTO: Sounds Like Fun
DATE: August 9 – 19
LINEUP
Gary Allan with Eric Church
The BoDeans
Alice Cooper with Blue Oyster Cult
Loverboy
Rock ‘N’ Roll Reunion XXVIII with Little Anthony and the Imperials, Ben E. King, Joe Dee, Percy Sledge, and Gary U.S. Bonds
Don McLean
Corbin Bleu, Drake Bell and Jordan Pruitt
Del McCoury Band
Dierks Bentley with Chris Cagle
Bellamy Brothers
Survivor
Casting Crowns with Tree63
Country Gold: Leroy VanDyke, Bobby Bare, Charlie Rich Jr. and Connie Smith
Joe Walsh
Josh Gracin
Steve Holy
Switchfoot with Cartel
Chris Young
American Idols Live! Including Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson, Chris Sligh, Gina Glockson, Haley Scarnato, Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle, Phil Stacey and Sanjaya Malakar.
ABBAMANIA: The Magic and Music of ABBA
Stayin’ Alive: A Night of the Bee Gees
Travis LeDoyt
Simply the Best: Tribute to Legendary Motown Divas
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CHEESE FACTOR: 4
BABY BOOM NOSTALGIA FACTOR: 7
CRAPPY COUNTRY FACTOR: 1
LAME ATTEMPT AT HIP CRED FACTOR: 1
UNINTENTIONALLY COOL/IRONY FACTOR: 6
QUOTE FACTOR: “Best known for his powerful guitar licks, Joe Walsh has entertained the masses and captivated his peers from his early hits with the James Gang through to his tenure with the Eagles – as well as a successful solo career.”
NON-MUSIC FACTOR: “HARRY POTTER IN BUTTER, ICE CARVINGS AND JUMBO VEGGIES FEATURED IN AGRICULTURE BUILDING.”
OVERALL EVALUATION: 5 corn dogs out of 10.
* * *
FAIR: Great Indiana State Fair
MOTTO: There’s No Better Time!
DATE: August 8 -19
LINEUP
Casting Crowns and Jeremy Camp
Lee Brice
Rascal Flatts Tour 2007 with special guest Jason Aldean
Whiskey Falls
Jonas Brothers
Trent Tomlinson
Kenny Rogers and The Oak Ridge Boys
Half Way to Hazard
David Cassidy
Bucky Covington
American Idols Live Tour 2007 including Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson, Chris Sligh, Gina Glocksen, Haley Scarnato, Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle, Phil Stacey, and Sanjaya Malakar
Eric Church
Screamfest 07 featuring T.I., Ciara, T-Pain, Lloyd & Yung Joc
Drew Davis Band
Joe Nichols
Those Darn Accordions on the AT&T Main Street Stage
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CHEESE FACTOR: 2
BABY BOOM NOSTALGIA FACTOR: 0
LAME ATTEMPT AT HIP CRED FACTOR: 1
CRAPPY COUNTRY FACTOR: 8
UNINTENTIONALLY COOL/IRONIC FACTOR: 6
QUOTE FACTOR: “The State Fair showcases agriculture and youth, educates the public about agriculture, our agricultural heritage and current productions methods along with entertaining the general public.”
NON-MUSIC FACTOR: “Indiana Curiosities: A Walk Thru the Wacky Side of Hoosier Life – Did you know that there’s a ‘Wizard of Oz Museum’ in Chesterton, Indiana? Can you imagine living in a modernly-equipped, environmentally friendly home that costs less than a $1/day? There’s one in Pendleton, Indiana.
“These are just a few of the mind-boggling displays you will see when you visit this display based on a book written by local author and media personality Dick Wolfsie. The exhibit uncovers interesting oddities from all corners of our state.”
In the Old National Bank Grand Hall.
OVERALL EVALUATION: 0 corn dogs out of 10.
* * *
FAIR: Minnesota State Fair
MOTTO: Twelve Days of Fun Ending Labor Day
DATE: August 23 to September 3
LINEUP
Brad Paisley with Jack Ingram, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift
Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx
Goo Goo Dolls with Lifehouse and Colbie Caillat
The Johnny Holm Band
Fergie with Rooney
Greg Brown
Joan Jett with Fountains of Wayne and The Suicide Commandos
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars
Weird Al Yankovic with Tonic Sol-fa
Liverpool Legends
The Allman Brothers Band with Robert Randolph and the Family Band
Starship starring Mickey Thomas
Vince Gill Friends and Family Tour featuring Amy Grant and The Del McCoury Band
Billy Joe Shaver
B.B. King Festival featuring Al Green and Etta James and her Roots Band
Dale Watson
A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor
The Derailers
MercyMe with Aaron Shust
Def Leppard with Styx & Foreigner
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CHEESE FACTOR: 1
BABY BOOM NOSTALGIA FACTOR: 2
LAME ATTEMPT AT HIP CRED FACTOR: .5
CRAPPY COUNTRY FACTOR: 1
UNINTENTIONALLY COOL/IRONIC FACTOR: 1
QUOTE FACTOR: “Outlasting many of their glam rock and pop metal peers, Def Leppard continues to record and perform new material. Live performances are known to be loud, musically solid and full of metal intensity.”
NON-MUSIC FACTOR: “Come by the Oink Booth and get your free pair of Pigs Ears courtesy of Minnesota Pork Producers.”
OVERALL EVALUATION: 7 corn dogs out of 10.
Posted on July 25, 2007