Yea... I said it... the State Fair will break attendance records, just on their concert line up alone.
"G$, are you believing the hype?" I know what Public Enemy always said, "Don't believe the hype..." But for real... it's a decent set. Now, in Iowa... (because, we still haven't learned to act like we've been here before...) one of the big local media announcements is the concert line up for the Iowa State Fair.... it was released this morning... let's do a quick run down of the line up for the Grandstand this year:
Thursday, Aug. 13: Steven Curtis Chapman… Opening act: Jeremy Camp Other than this is a Christian group… I have no idea… but word is those in the know… well, know who he is… so… expect good turn out. Because... isn't Jesus everyone's homeboy? Just kidding... Christian concerts do very well here.
Friday, Aug. 14: Gary Allan… Opening act: Chuck Wicks So, it’s a country thinger… easy sell… plus the guy opening is competing against Shawn Johnson in Dancing like an idiot or whatever the hell it is… GASP! I bet they cancel this one… who dare he challenge Shawn!?!?!?! Crucify him!!! $20 bucks sez, they cancel this… put up a cardboard Shawn Johnson up on stage then BAM... the shit sells out… largest event in State Fair History. Plus, it’s Eastside Night…
Saturday, Aug. 15: Peter Frampton - Opening act: Gin Blossoms Now… now we’re getting to the meat of the order. FRAMPTON! Yea man… If I have to explain this to you… you can leave now. No shit, get off my blog. Leave. Move it. Get the hell out of here. Plus… not bad with Gin Blossoms… you know all their songs… because it was on the radio… every other song… awe the ‘90s (hearts).
Sunday, Aug. 16: Big and Rich with Cowboy Troy - Opening act: Candy Coburn again… another Country thinger… fun group… plus… a Country Rapper… which at first you may think its some fried food at the fair… but its not. No, it's not on the Dollar Menu either... not kidding... think of it as 2Pac with a drawl... ok, maybe not that hardcore... and probably less cussing...
Monday, Aug. 17: Bret Michaels - Opening act to be announced. Yup… also known as Cougar Fest 2… you know… after NKOTB rolls through here next month. What’s the over/under on fishnets and tattoos? Purrrrrrrrrrr..... For one day, the Fairgrounds becomes one ginormous Cougar Wildlife Refuge.
Tuesday, Aug. 18: Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models
Racing… always does well… if not... well... maybe they let the guy who's competing against Shawn Johnson back... and then he'll get ran over or something. You cannot mess with Shawn!!!!
Wednesday, Aug. 19: Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull
Massive tractors… yea man… locals and tourists can’t resist to see these ginormous things… plus nothing says Iowa and State Fair like tricked out huge tractors… Think of it as Drag Racing meets Strong Man Contest meets Pimp My Ride meets The Big Show on WHO Radio... got all that? Good... now you know where I'm coming from...
Thursday, Aug. 20: Shinedown - Opening act to be announced.
This one may surprise you… these guys are up and coming… Sound of Madness is a great tune. Look for these guys to become a staple of rock radio. Sound of the Madness... yup, gonna have that in my head now... but its a good thing...
Friday, Aug. 21: Brooks & Dunn - Opening act: Jamey Johnson Yea… sell out. No question. Plus, even if you aren’t a country type, they put on a great show… Yea... you're gonna have to park in Mitchellville to get in that night... good luck.
Saturday, Aug. 22: Demolition Derby
Is 10am too early for beer? Never… especially when you are gonna smash cars. I don’t know why… but when I hear about a Demo Derby, I think… HULK SMASH… cars hitting other cars… its why 50% of the crowds show up to NASCAR events… the crashes.
Saturday, Aug. 22: Kelly Clarkson - Opening act to be announced. Yup… American Idol… for real... Iowans can’t help themselves. Sigh... Oh well...
Sunday, Aug. 23: JOURNEY - Opening act: Heart YES!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome… WOOT!!! DOUBLE WOOT!!! TRIPLE LINDY WOOT!!!! Try to stop me from being there. Saw them there last time at the Fair... for real, this is $45 worth it... even if this is the 3rd or 4th lead singer... I'm telling you, do not miss this one.
So yea... there you go... I got sucked into the hype... but... come on dudes!!! JOURNEY! Hope my mullet is in full swing by then... Man... how do I always forget how sweet Steve Perry's mullet was...
