Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 – Day Eight
Why wait another minute Minnesota State Fair fans? Tonight is the night Rascal Flatts brings its “Changed” tour to the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand! Special guests Little Big Town, Eli Young Band, and Edens Edge will all be joining Rascal Flatts for this country-filled night at the fair. The show begins Thursday at 7 p.m. and “if” tickets are available they are $63/$53/$43. Note there is very limited seating still available for this show! Plan also to stick around for the fireworks spectacular following the music.
Finding a new record label home with Big Machine Records, Rascal Flatts has now sold more than 21 million albums and 25 million digital downloads. They have seen 13 singles hit the top of the charts, spending more than eight months collectively at number one. They have won more than 40 major awards, including seven ACM trophies for “Vocal Group of the Year” and six trophies for CMA “Vocal Group of the Year.” Recently they added a Grand Ole Opry membership, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (which is still yet to be officially put in place) and the prestigious Country Radio Seminar 2012 Artist Humanitarian Award to their list of accomplishments. Hit songs include “Why Wait,” “These Days,” “Bless the Broken Road,” “What Hurts The Most,” “My Wish,” “Take Me There,” “Here Comes Goodbye,” “Mayberry,” and “Fast Cars and Freedom.”
Taking the stage before Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town has been rocking the summer airwaves with the hit “Pontoon.” The band has had a solid 13-year career during which they’ve sold 1.5 million records, racked up multiple Grammy, CMA, and ACM nominations, and crafted Top 10 country hits like “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” and “Little White Church.”
The Eli Young Band has seen nothing but success from its recent releases to country radio. The hit “Even if it Breaks Your Heart,” along with “Crazy Girl” both hit the coveted number-one spot for this four-piece band from Texas. Kicking the night off will be Edens Edge. When it comes to making great music, kindred spirits somehow seem to find each other and such is the case with Edens Edge. Three talented young musicians from Arkansas – Hannah Blaylock, Dean Berner, and Cherrill Green – made their debut 
on Big Machine Records with a vibrant sound that honors country music’s roots while creatively pushing the envelope with their seasoned musicianship, dazzling harmonies and insightful songwriting.
The Mavericks return to the fair tonight as part of the Leinie Lodge Bandshell Tonight series, with a free performance at 8:30 p.m. Known for their relatable lyrics, The Mavericks were a band for the everyman, sorting out real life problems for real life people to 
fantastically original rhythms. They went on to record six studio albums between 1991 and 2003, leaving their mark on the country music genre. Top hits include “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” “O What a Thrill,” “There Goes My Heart,” and “What a Crying Shame.”
More country music at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell can be found with two FREE performances from Mandy Barnett (3:30 and 4:45 p.m.). A frequent Grand Ole Opry performer, and also known for her role portraying Patsy Cline, Barnett is a native of Crossville, TN. She started singing at five years-old and has been singing since. As a teenager, Mandy starred as country music legend Patsy
Cline in the stage show “Always . . . Patsy Cline” at the celebrated Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. In addition to her own albums, Mandy has been featured on movie soundtracks.
Also to watch for Thursday:
• 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.
• Want to hear some banjo in anticipation of Rascal Flatts tonight? Catch The Banjo Boys on the Rambling Senior Center Stage at 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Monroe Crossing is another one to see Thursday, with two performances on the Heritage Square Stage (6:30 and 7:45 p.m.) Named in honor of Bill Monroe, “The Father of Bluegrass Music,” Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences with an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals.
• The 40th annual Minnesota State Fair amateur talent contest semifinals will take place at 6 p.m. on the Leinie Lodge Bandshell stage.
• Sourdough Slim with Robert Armstrong at the Heritage Square Stage at 2, 3, and 4 p.m. One of the most original and beloved Western entertainers of our time, Sourdough Slim is a hoot to say the least.
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 television sitcom star performed a comedy routine at the Minnesota State Fair in 1977, before he became known as a loveable television doctor and father?
YESTERDAY’S ANSWER: Eli Young Band opened for Jason Aldean in 2009.
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.