Illinois State Fair grandstand lineup released         

Features Big & Rich, Counting Crows and 'American Idol' star Carrie Underwood

[MAY 1, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- Today Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced the grandstand lineup for the 2006 Illinois State Fair. Among the bands taking the stage Aug. 11-20 will be the honky-tonk duo Big & Rich, Montgomery Gentry, Counting Crows, rock legends Foreigner and "American Idol" star Carrie Underwood.

"Once again, the state fair staff has put together an outstanding grandstand lineup that will appeal to a wide variety of music fans and fire up the stage with great entertainment," Blagojevich said. "This lineup of entertainers is just one example of the outstanding, family-friendly entertainment the 2006 Illinois State Fair has to offer, and ticket prices are affordable so guests from around Illinois and the Midwest can experience all the state fair has to offer."

• Friday, Aug. 11 -- Hip-hop sensation Bow Wow kicks off the grandstand concert series, performing chart-topping songs including "Let Me Hold You," "Fresh AZIMIZ" and "Like You." Accompanying artist and ticket prices for this concert will be announced soon.

• Saturday, Aug. 12 -- The high-powered duo Montgomery Gentry rock the grandstand. These two come from a generation of rockers and country icons for whom music and boundaries simply don't mix. Their hits, including "If You Ever Stop Loving Me," "Gone" and "Something to Be Proud Of," continue to bolster their successful career. Opening the night for Montgomery Gentry is country artist Jeff Bates. Tickets are $25, $20 and $15 for reserved grandstand seats and $25 for the track area in front of the stage.

• Sunday, Aug. 13 -- Classic rockers Foreigner will take the stage. The group, led by Mick Jones, has entertained audiences for nearly 30 years, sold millions of records and still holds the best- selling album of all time for Atlantic Records: "4," released July 2, 1981. Loverboy and Blood Sweat & Tears with Chuck Negron, former lead singer of Three Dog Night, will open the evening. Tickets are $18 for all seats, including reserved and grandstand seats and the track in front of the stage.

• Monday, Aug. 14 -- For the first time, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra will perform the first Monday of the state fair instead of the final Sunday. The show is free to the public.

• Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 15-17 -- Twilight harness horse racing has been extended to three evenings this year. The races will begin at 4:30 p.m.

• Friday, Aug. 18: Big & Rich are comin' to our city for the 2006 Illinois State Fair. Big & Rich, with their outrageous approach to country music, will lead "The Freak Parade," along with hick-hop star Cowboy Troy, onto the grandstand. Their groundbreaking sound has won over both county and mainstream music lovers with hits like "Comin' To Your City," "Holy Water" and "Big Time." Opening the night is Chicago-based band Hello Dave. Tickets are $25, $20 and $15 for reserved grandstand seats and $25 for the track area in front of the stage.

• Saturday, Aug. 19 -- Rock band Counting Crows will take the stage as part of a 45-stop North American tour. For the first time in their career, they've hit the road with the Goo Goo Dolls. The Counting Crows' sound became extremely popular in the early 1990s and drew audiences with hit songs like "Mr. Jones" and "A Long December." Tickets are $35, $30 and $25 for reserved grandstand seats and $35 for the track area in front of the stage.

• Sunday, Aug. 20 -- "American Idol" star Carrie Underwood will perform songs from her recently released debut album "Some Hearts," including her chart-topping single "Jesus Take the Wheel." Opening for Underwood is country music star Phil Vassar. Tickets are $20 for all seats, including reserved and grandstand seats and the track in front of the stage.

All concerts begin at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster by phone, Internet and all Ticketmaster locations, starting Saturday. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.illinoisstatefair.info. To order tickets by phone, call 1 [phone] or TTY 1 [phone]. The state fair ticket office will open June 3.

Schedule
(Date; performer; ticket prices: reserved, track)

• Friday, Aug. 11 -- Bow Wow and opener to be announced; ticket prices to be announced

• Saturday, Aug. 12 -- Montgomery Gentry, Jeff Bates; $25-20-15, $25

• Sunday, Aug. 13 -- Foreigner, Blood Sweat & Tears with Chuck Negron, and Loverboy; $18, $18

• Monday, Aug. 14 -- Illinois Symphony; free admission

• Tuesday, Aug. 15 -- Evening harness racing; free admission

• Wednesday, Aug. 16 -- Evening harness racing; free admission

• Thursday, Aug. 17 -- Evening harness racing; free admission

• Friday, Aug. 18 -- Big & Rich, Cowboy Troy and Hello Dave; $25-20-15, $25

• Saturday, Aug. 19 -- Counting Crows, Goo Goo Dolls; $35-30-25, $35

• Sunday, Aug. 20 -- Carrie Underwood, Phil Vassar; $20, $20

*All artists above have approved this announcement; however, concerts are subject to contracts being finalized.

[Illinois State Fair news release]