|
All news is attributed to the source from which it was received so that readers may judge the validity of the statements for themselves.
Have Joan Jett news to report? Email us at jettfc@aol.com, and please include the source of the information so it can be validated.
JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS strike Salamanca with edge, sass
from: courier-journal.com
By Jeffrey Lee Puckett,
David Snowden has been bringing music to the Kentucky State Fair for 40 years, so when he describes this year's fair as being "snakebit" he speaks with authority.
The opening and closing concerts in Freedom Hall were both canceled, robbing the fair of two signature events. Meghan Trainor's opening night show was called off due to pending throat surgery, and Aretha Franklin pulled out of closing night without explanation.
Snowden's disappointment has been tempered by the addition of a free stunt show by BMX and FMX professionals in Freedom Hall for Thursday's opening night, and a line-up of free concerts that he said is bettered only by those offered at the New York State Fair.
Many of this year's free Turf Concert Series performers are touring the fair circuit - Snowden produces shows for nearly 20 state fairs - but their shows are ticketed events elsewhere.
"There's no state fair other than New York that has the budget for free shows like Kentucky has," Snowden said. "I think the quality of our free shows have hurt our paid shows, honestly. JOAN JETT doesn't do free shows."
So while there won't be any rising pop stars or soul legends to anchor the Kentucky State Fair's entertainment line-up, there's enough to keep music fans busy. Here's a look at the entertainment on offer this year - assuming we've seen the last of diva cancellations and hemorrhaged vocal cords.
Freedom Hall
State Fair admission is included in the cost of of the paid shows, but not parking.
BMX Pros, Aug. 20 - This last-minute addition replaces Trainor with a line-up of BMX and FMX professionals performing an array of stunts. Producer Woody Itson, a BMX Hall of Fame member, will perform alongside X Games gold medalist Morgan Wade and skateboarder Chris Gentry, among others. 8 p.m., free.
Barrels And Boots Music Festival, Aug, 21 - Kentuckians John Michael Montgomery and Montgomery Gentry headline this iHeartRadio show, which also features newcomers RaeLynn, Eric Paslay, Kelsie May and Craig Campbell. 5 p.m., $37.
Boyz II Men, Kool & The Gang, Aug. 30 - This old-school show replaces Franklin but not the excitement she was generating. Both groups have performed free fair shows in the past, which gives this a summer rerun quality. 8 p.m., $50 and $55.
Turf Concert Series, Cardinal Stadium
The layout has been tweaked, with the stage moving to the side of the field where aluminum bleachers once were. Snowden said this has improved the sound and sight lines, with a much wider spread of seats and standing room nearer the stage.
A few days could draw five-figure crowds, with the annual contemporary Christian shows leading the way. Snowden said that if the weather cooperates, 15,000 are expected at the Aug. 30 show, which features four CCM bands that have had hit albums this year.
And then, of course, there are the Oak Ridge Boys, back for the 40th consecutive year - a record of annual appearances unmatched in music history.
"They don't plan on stopping and the fair doesn't plan on not booking them," Snowden said. "I hope I'm not here if that ever happens because there'll be a riot."
All shows are at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Aug. 20 - The 1980s and ‘90s come alive with Slaughter and Great White, American hard rock bands with multiplatinum pasts.
Aug. 21 - Jagged Edge and Dru Hill return with classic 1990s R&B.
Aug. 22 - All That Remains brings modern metal, or metalcore.
Aug. 23 - The Oak Ridge Boys always deliver a heartwarming show, and there is nothing better than hearing "Y'all Come Back Saloon" on a Sunday evening. Belles & Whistles open.
Aug. 24 - The first of this year's CCM shows starts the best-selling Casting Crowns, with guest I Am They.
Aug. 25 - The Country Gold Tour is a nostalgia show with some strong veterans led by Moe Bandy and Gene Watson. Leroy Van Dyke, Steve and Rudy Gatlin, Eddy Raven and Jimmy Fortune are also featured.
Aug. 26 - Modern country is represented by Easton Corbin with special guest Nathan Osmond
Aug. 27 - The Grass Roots are billed last on the Happy Together Tour, which is led by The Turtles, but do not miss these guys. The Association, The Cowsills, Mark Lindsay and The Buckinghams round out the bill.
Aug. 28 - Conservative country fans get their dream line-up with Charlie Daniels and hick-hop rapper Colt Ford.
Aug. 29 - For a lot of people, JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS is potentially the fair's best show. Devour the Day opens.
Aug. 30 - Family Force 5, Hawk Nelson, Matt Maher, and For King & Country. This one starts at 4 p.m.
Food, beer and music tents
Four tents near the front of Freedom Hall will offer the staples of a healthy life - food, beer and bands - every day of the fair from roughly 11:30 a.m. until midnight. Rock, country, bluegrass and soul cover bands will rule the schedules.
Admission is free at the Budweiser True Music Entertainment Tent, Lawn Party Sponsored By The Q, Ivori Country Music Tent and Kentucky Bourbon, Bites and Brew Tent.
Jeffrey Lee Puckett can be reached at (502) 582-4160, jpuckett@courier-journal.com and on Twitter, @JLeePuckett.
Kentucky State Fair
WHEN: 9 a.m. to midnight, Aug. 20-30
WHERE: The Exposition Center, 911 Philips Lane
COST: Adult, $10, ages 6-12 and 55+, $6, 5 and under free/ Parking is $8 per vehicle per entry. |
| |
This Week:
No shows scheduled this week.
Click on the LIVE DATES link for upcoming shows |
Item Of The Month:
|
