Monday, Sept. 3, 2012 – Day Twelve
Well friends, we’ve enjoyed the good times with Alan Jackson, and it was all about tonight when Blake Shelton took the stage at this year’s Minnesota State Fair. Shelton’s lovely wife Miranda Lambert joined him on stage for “Hillbilly Bone,” and we didn’t wait another minute for Rascal Flatts. Arguably one of the most popular country songs of the summer turned into arguably one of the largest singalongs at the fair when Little Big Town performed “Pontoon.” Eli Young Band brought its number-one hits to the stage, and that was just the start of country music at the fair in 2012. Maiden Dixie performed live on KARE11 and troupers Greene and Hurst performed at the fair 10 of the 12 days of the fair’s run! We hope you have enjoyed these daily fair guides and found them useful in planning your state fair experience (and keeping it country!) Let’s take a look at where to find country at the fair’s final day.
Influenced by Minnesota music’s founding fathers from Bob Dylan to The Jayhawks, Six Mile Grove honors its roots, but has also managed to forge its own sound and space on a stage without compromise. Catch Six Mile Grove performing on the Heritage Square Stage at 2, 3, and 4 p.m. They harken most to the genre of Americana, which recognizes the value of songwriting and musicianship over radio charts and record sales, and reflects that in artists as diverse as Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett. In addition, their friendship, touring and recording with legendary Johnny Cash guitarist Bob Wootton, has lended even more distinctly to their “good all-American boy” sound and style. Six Mile Grove released its sixth album this spring 2012, titled “Secret Life in a Quiet Town.”
The Cleverlys (Leinie Lodge Bandshell at 1 and 2:30 p.m.) come from the remote part of the Ozark Mountains, near Cane Spur, Arkansas.This family band brings bluegrass and comedy to the stage and is one not to miss.
Mockingbird Sun is also a band worth catching this year at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell Monday (10:30 and 11:45 a.m.). The boys came together through 
collaborations with veteran country songwriter and sage Tom Douglas (‘The House That Built Me.’ ‘I Run To You,’ ‘Southern Voice’). In their time together, they have traveled the Southeast and Texas, sharing a stage with such renowned artists as Toby Keith, Jack Ingram, Pat Green, and Roger Creager. In the spring of 2011, the band journeyed down to Muscle Shoals, Alabama to work with Mac McAnally (Jimmy Buffett, Sawyer Brown).
Also to watch for Monday:
• 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.
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: Watch for the winner of the trivia competition to be announced on Minnesotacountry.com following the conclusion of the 2012 Minnesota State Fair!
YESTERDAY’S ANSWER: In 1962, Dennis Day, Jane Russell, and Jimmie Dean performed at the Minnesota State Fair grandstand.
Ryan Gueningsman is at ryan.gueningsman@minnesotacountry.com or can be found on Facebook.