Friday, Aug. 24, 2012 – Day Two
Let’s Rock the Jukebox as Alan Jackson makes his way north for Day Two of the Minnesota State Fair. With a headline performance at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand at 7:30 p.m. (tickets are $40 and available at the Grandstand ticket booth near the east end of the Grandstand), Jackson has traveled many miles from his small town beginnings in Newnan, Georgia. His music has taken him to the floorboards of the Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Hall, to stages as distant as Australia and Scandinavia, to performances in front of four presidents. He’s written and recorded songs that have celebrated and chronicled life since “Here in the Real World” put him on the map, finding himself in the elite company of Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Merle Haggard as the only songwriters who’ve written and recorded more than 20 songs that they’ve also taken to the top of the charts. And his trek continues with the 13 songs that comprise his latest offering, “Thirty Miles West.”
“Thirty Miles West” is Jackson’s 14th studio album; it’s the latest in an unbroken string of 20 albums that have reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart – that list also includes three hits collections, two holiday albums, and his acclaimed 2006 gospel album, “Precious Memories.” 
Opening for Jackson Friday night is Jamey Johnson. With plans to release a Hank Cochran tribute album in October, and planning a unique tour to promote the project, there was great anticipation about the musical direction Johnson would take after releasing his critically acclaimed 25-song double album, “The Guitar Song,” which was among the most lauded albums of 2010. In 2007, he won song of the year from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music for co-writing the George Strait hit “Give It Away.” He won song of the year from both organizations two years later for “In Color,” and also received five Grammy nominations during 2009-10.
Before heading in to the Grandstand for Jackson and Johnson, be sure and stop by the Leinie Lodge Bandshell when JT Hodges returns for two FREE sets (3:30 and 4:45 p.m.). For his first single, Hodges has come out of the gate with a song about hunting. It does not involve bird calls or camouflage, but rather the most universal pursuit known to man. In a rollicking song that recalls a hot night in “Hunt You Down,” catch-and-release never sounded so steamy.
Country fans are wanting to hunt Hodges down too, after getting a listen to this infectious summer single. Besides “Hunt You Down,” there’s plenty more to be pursued in JT Hodges, the Texas newcomer’s alternately tender and raucous Show Dog – Universal Music debut.
Also to watch for Friday: 
• Greene and Hurst will be rocking country-style in the Gardens from 7 to 11 p.m. G&H hit the country music scene in October 2011 and is a little bit of rock n roll and a whole lot of country.
• The county fair talent contest at the Family Fair Stage in Baldwin Park at 7 p.m.
• The 40th annual Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest semifinals will take place at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell at 6 p.m.
• T. Texas Terry’s Comedy Wild West Show on the same stage at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and also 3 p.m.
• The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra will perform at the International Bazaar Stage at 3:15, 4:30, and 5:45 p.m.
• Betty Rydell (a Medina Entertainment Center favorite) and Randi Rae will perform at the Ramberg Senior Center Stage at 10:15 and 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Also, don’t forget to stop by your favorite country radio station booths at the fair – K102 is located on Nelson Street (O26 on your official Minnesota State Fair map), and BUZ’N Country is located on Judson Avenue (V30 on your official Minnesota State Fair map). Both radio stations will be doing prize giveaways, contests, and broadcasting live from the fair! Stop by and see your favorite radio personalities and try to win some cool country gear!
STATE FAIR TRIVIA: Each day in this update, we will be doing state fair country trivia! The person who gets the most correct answers over the course of the fair will receive a prize from Minnesotacountry.com. Submit your answer via e-mail to info@minnesotacountry.com, and we’ll announce the winner after the fair!
TODAY’S QUESTION: How many times has Willie Nelson performed at the Minnesota State Fair?
YESTERDAY’S ANSWER: Paulette Carlson’s hometown is Winsted, which is also the home of the Winstock Country Music Festival.
If you have some additional tips on keeping it country at the fair, e-mail them to info@minnesotacountry.com and we will be happy to pass them along to our fans.
Ryan Gueningsman is at ryan.gueningsman@minnesotacountry.com or can be found on Facebook.