Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 – Day Five
Wow, country music fans! Not only did the rain hold out for Blake Shelton’s Grandstand show Saturday night, but his lovely and talented wife Miranda Lambert also joined him onstage for “Hillybilly Bone.” Heading into this week, there is plenty more country in store as the fair chugs along into the long Labor Day weekend.
A treat Monday at the fair is special performances by Sherwin and Pam Linton and the Cotton Kings at the Heritage Square Stage at 2, 3, and 4 p.m. Country music in Minnesota doesn’t get any more real than Sherwin, who journeyed to Nashville in 1966 where he cut “Cotton King,” a song that catapulted him to the top of the country music charts. This landed Sherwin Linton’s name among the top nominees for Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association in 1972 and 1973. Country music has been his life ever since, as he enjoys performing more than 250 dates a year, singing all the classics. “I thank God for what he has given me,” Linton said, “and feel the best is yet to come.”
Though not country, Monday night’s Grandstand artist will be the Happy Together Tour and feature The Turtles with Flo & Eddie, The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, The Grass Roots, and The Buickinghams. Some of the most-popular bands and performers in the 1960s, these groups collectively produced many hit songs. Tickets are $18.
Also to watch for Monday:
• Maiden Dixie will be rocking-country style in the Gardens from 7 to 11pm. Maiden Dixie is one of the areas hottest local country acts out there.
• Another one to watch Monday is JD McPherson, who will also perform on the Heritage Square Stage at 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. as part of the Heritage at Sundown series.
• Minnesota favorite The Johnny Holm Band will perform two FREE sets at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell at 3:30 and 4:45 p.m.
• Hank Thunander will perform at 3:15, 4:30, and 5:45 p.m. at the Rambling Senior Center Stage. Hank has repeatedly awestruck crowds with his various styles of music. His extraordinary talent includes polkas, country, standards and classical melodies.
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: What band that is performing at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell later this week performed at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in 1995?
YESTERDAY’S ANSWER: Blake Shelton performed “Footloose.”
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.